Changing leaded glass in uPVC to plain wouldn't put buyers off, right?

pinkteapot

Our house is a 1990 build with modern uPVC double glazing (dark brown wood effect frames). The glass is leaded (diamond pattern). I hate it - I feel like a zoo animal looking through a fence. I'm currently getting quotes to replace all the sealed units - 39 of them :eek: - with plain glass instead.

This won't massively put buyers off, right?

I'm hoping it's one of those things where some people prefer plain, some people prefer leaded, so you'll never suit everyone.

One of the guys who came to quote said he does more jobs changing plain to leaded! I know leaded is more expensive - is it seen as 'better'?

In general, I do what *I* want with the house (within reason!), but this will be a pretty significant outlay for something that certainly won't add any value. Just want to make sure it won't lose us any.

Niv

Are you looking to sell the house in the near future?
if no, who cares, YOU don't want to feel like a zoo animal
if yes, why are you changing it.

Surrey_EA

pinkteapot wrote: »

I'm hoping it's one of those things where some people prefer plain, some people prefer leaded, so you'll never suit everyone.

There's your answer.

Slinky

Are the houses around you all leaded? Will yours stand out like a sore thumb?

victoriavictorious

Why on earth would you bother and incur all that unnecessary cost, as it seems you plan to sell?
Worst case scenario if your buyers prefer plain glass, they can just get it done themselves. Not exactly a deal breaker.

Smodlet

It must be so nice to have money to burn... Well, not with these new-fangled plastic notes, of course; they would stink.

moneyistooshorttomention

My own personal opinion is that I groan a bit when I spot "fancy" type glass in upvc frames. That applies whether it's that "diamond" type stuff or a "design".

Either way I hate it personally and would be looking to replace it if it was there in a house I bought.

Back in starter house - and I remember looking at some windows that had just been replaced in the first place with upvc ones on a neighbours house and thinking "Why on earth did he do 'design' type ones? It will decrease his house value - as people like myself would instantly mentally factor in the cost of replacing them with plain ones".

So I personally regard "designs" and "diamonds" as being a bit chavvy. Others may disagree. To me - plain is the obvious way to go.

On my current house - the windows/doors aren't quite what I would have chosen (ie white plastic window handles - instead of those silvery ones). Also the integral glass in exterior doors is "fancier/more old-fashioned" than I would have chosen. But they weren't so obviously "not Me" that I swopped them. But the firm that did some other upvc-ing work on my house looked at me, then looked at my house and instantly offered to swop exterior door handles from "brass type ones" to "silver type ones" and I promptly accepted.

So - if you can afford to swop them - it will help imo. Just not sure whether you'll get your money back from doing so. But you certainly won't devalue the house.

need_an_answer

I totally get the leaded look being like a cage.

When we were looking to buy it was all the rage and I walked away from so many houses because I didn't like it and didn't have the funds to change it.

My advise would be if it's your forever home and you don't plan to sell in the next few years then do as you want and make the house your way.
You will probably end up spending on something that has little or no value except for the peace of your own mind that you have an unobscured view from your windows!

3mph

We had those type of windows in our previous house ("Rosewood" sort of colour and lead strips in diamond pattern). Some people changed them to white and plain, some to "Oak" colour but both looked a bit ridiculous next to the adjacent houses.

If you are going to sell don't waste your money.
If you are staying then its your choice.

Nobbie1967

Who actually likes that design? I'm certain it must be a small minority. It would put me off a house for the same reason you have identified. If you're staying a few years, I'd do it.

Red-Squirrel_2

I don't think leaded windows are more desirable at all, are they not a bit of a late 80s/early 90s fad like mock tudor on suburban semis?