Sash windows - hardwood & pine wood

sp2013

Hi everyone,
I've purchased a house in a conservation area and need new sash windows and frames installed. My builder has gone with a person who he has used on windows from other projects and has agreed I'll get hardwood double glazed sash windows. I know it's a slight premium to pine wood.
But my question is...how would I know it is hardwood and not simply getting fobbed off by the window company by them charging me high prices for pinewood? Can't find anything on the net to tell me the main difference 'looks wise' between the two.

Thanks in advance!

FreeBear

sp2013 wrote: »

But my question is...how would I know it is hardwood and not simply getting fobbed off by the window company by them charging me high prices for pinewood?

Ask for a sample of the timber being used and ask them to tell you the species. Then do your research. "Hardwood" covers a huge range of timbers, some better than others.

Sapele is often used for hardwood frames - It comes from Africa, so personally, I have concerns about the environmental impact. Also have doubts about long term suitability for window frames... My personal choice would be Oak. A hard wearing timber with a long tradition of use in buildings. Removed a window recently that had an oak sill - Over ninety years old, and still as good as the day it was put in. The softwood parts of the frame were showing signs of rot though.

theartfullodger

Why not UPVC sash?

https://www.anglianhome.co.uk/double-glazing-windows/sash-landing


Much better thermal & noise performance. Pause for flames...

sp2013

FreeBear wrote: »

Ask for a sample of the timber being used and ask them to tell you the species. Then do your research. "Hardwood" covers a huge range of timbers, some better than others.

Sapele is often used for hardwood frames - It comes from Africa, so personally, I have concerns about the environmental impact. Also have doubts about long term suitability for window frames... My personal choice would be Oak. A hard wearing timber with a long tradition of use in buildings. Removed a window recently that had an oak sill - Over ninety years old, and still as good as the day it was put in. The softwood parts of the frame were showing signs of rot though.

Ahh yes...totally agree will ask for a sample and research a bit. Thanks. I know I would get fooled by companies like this and not get what I paid for.

Doozergirl

theartfullodger wrote: »

Why not UPVC sash?

https://www.anglianhome.co.uk/double-glazing-windows/sash-landing


Much better thermal & noise performance. Pause for flames...

Specifically because it's in a conservation area and that isn't like for like.

And Anglian windows? Really? This is MSE!

theartfullodger

Doozergirl wrote: »

Specifically because it's in a conservation area and that isn't like for like..................

We (well, I...) don't know for sure what exact conditions are set by this council for that particular area...



See e.g.
https://www.sashwindowsuk.com/blog/can-i-fit-upvc-windows-in-a-conservation-area/



Cheers all!

sp2013

Doozergirl wrote: »

Specifically because it's in a conservation area and that isn't like for like.

And Anglian windows? Really? This is MSE!

lol...Anglian windows quoted £7k more (25-30%) than what I'm paying for. I'm sure the site and page was just to show me upvc sash window example :-)

Tom99

Balsa wood is a hardwood, not sure how long the windows would last?

G_M

Artful! No - really!


I had a higher opinion of you than that!

eddddy

FWIW, a conservation planning officer told me that a heritage upvc window might be an acceptable replacement for a timber sash - as long as it replicated the style.

They wanted details (e.g. pictures) of upvc window before deciding.

But different planning authorities are likely to have different opinions on this.

(But, as others say, Anglian wouldn't be the company I'd use.)