Sash windows

Rachel71

Hello I'd appreciate some advice with sash windows please. We have recently moved into a Victorian house with sash windows (not listed, not conservation area). Most sashes are painted shut and are cold. Have got some quotes: £4k to refurbish and draft proof; £9k to refurbish and replace sashes with new wooden sashes with dg (but keep box frames); £14k to replace with v good quality upvc. Not sure what to do, has anyone had the same issue - and any experiences of doing any of these?
Thanks v much.
Rachel71

Apodemus

I'd go with the £4K option, then DIY some acrylic sheet secondary glazing.

phil24_7

I'd be going the 9K (get other quotes though from reputable local companies) option using good quality materials to get the u value down as low as possible.

gmgmgm

How about re-paint the sashes so they work properly (not painted shut!), add some draught-proofing (easy) and then turn the heating up a little? Much less than £4k.

DaftyDuck

I'm refurbishing my own sash windows at the moment. Some are fine, others rotted at the base, broken panes and little putty. uPVC replacement is not worth it in almost all cases. They are not maintenance free at all - they may fail after only ten or so years. Some of my Windows are well over 200 years old.

The "savings" in heat loss for installing double glazing are vastly exaggerated. To make it cost effective they would need to last hundreds of years, and they won't. Some have reasonable profiles, but they are pricey. Most have thick glazing bars and look hideous.

Well repaired sash windows will last a lifetime, look lovely, and suit the house. First or second option only.... But savings from second option would be minimal.

For me, first option.

Apodemus

DaftyDuck wrote: »

Well repaired sash windows will last a lifetime, look lovely, and suit the house. First or second option only.... But savings from second option would be minimal.

For me, first option.

I agree with all you say, but second option also puts the OP onto the short life-cycle treadmill. The dg units will have a finite life - probably ten to fifteen years depending on size and quality. The wood will almost certainly be poorer quality than the originals and there is virtually no way to ensure that condensation doesn't form along the bottom edge of the dg unit where it sits on the wood, so it will start to rot.

Stopping draughts is the key, you will never repay installation costs for dg through reduced heating bills.

Tom99

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I had a new box sash made to my specification by a local carpenter, then had the frames double glazed and installed it myself with lead weights and chains rather than rope.[/FONT]

Rachel71

Thanks very much everyone. I'm really undecided! Option 1 probably looks the best then. I don't want to replace and then find in 10-15 years that we have to replace again (the original windows have been there for more than 130 years and apparently are still in decent nick, just not very warm). Thanks.

rach_k

I would go with the first option too. Our Victorian house has had the sash windows replaced with plastic. Although I think the style is nice enough and doesn't look too 'wrong', I'd love to rip them out and get original-style wooden ones put back. I don't think the OH will go for it though, not after I made him do that with the front door and he nearly had to sell a kidney!!!

Icecannon

Option 1.

Looks better and will also must likely keep out more noise than upvc, the daft exclusion should be enough, but if it's not the £5k saving will buy you some very nice heavy curtains.

lstar337

Option 1 with secondary glazing inside.