Engineered wood or aluminium window frames

Michela

Hi,

I have a 1930s house with original single glazed crittall leaded windows which have really rusted up and I'm looking to replace.

Its sad to see them go but as it's not a listed building nobody wants to renovate them.

The options I am looking at are engineered wood or aluminium.

I am swayed towards the wood despite it being a couple of grand more expensive.

Is wood the way to go?

Any advice would be helpful. Thanks

FreeBear

Wood would look better in my opinion, but will require additional maintenance in the long term. but which ever frame you decide to go for, I'd strongly recommend examining the outer leaf and see if a lintel is required. Have a look at neighbouring properties that have had uPVC replacement windows. Is the brickwork above the window sagging, cracks appearing in the mortar joints or render ?


Many of the houses in my area are from the 1920/30s, and quite a few are showing signs of collapsing brickwork over the ground floor windows. I'm waiting to have a window replaced later in the year, and have found a lintel will be required - When these houses were built, the window frames acted as support for the brickwork. uPVC frames are not structural and will not provide the same degree of support. It is a recognised problem, and any good FENSA approved installer should be fitting lintels when required.

ed110220

I'd probably go with whatever looked more similar to the existing windows. As most other window frame materials aren't nearly as strong as steel, replacements usually have much thicker frames and can look clunky. For example the houses around here originally had the steel frame style that was popular after the second world war with the window divided in half vertically and then the one side divided again horizontally to give one large casement, a fixed pane and a small top hinged casement. Where this has been replaced with UPVC in the same style the frames are so thick there is hardly any glass in the smallest opening casement and it looks a bit ridiculous.

Michela

ed110220 wrote: »

I'd probably go with whatever looked more similar to the existing windows. As most other window frame materials aren't nearly as strong as steel, replacements usually have much thicker frames and can look clunky. For example the houses around here originally had the steel frame style that was popular after the second world war with the window divided in half vertically and then the one side divided again horizontally to give one large casement, a fixed pane and a small top hinged casement. Where this has been replaced with UPVC in the same style the frames are so thick there is hardly any glass in the smallest opening casement and it looks a bit ridiculous.

Thanks. I'm not going with UPVC as I really don't like the look, you get aluminium which is much slimmer which would probably replicate what I currently have.

I have been quoted 10k for engineered wood and 8 for aluminium. I keep reading about different types of wood so it gets a little confusing.

Its a big investment so I want to get it right.

mrschaucer

You CAN get proper crittall double glazing these days, but it's very expensive, I believe.
https://www.crittall-windows.co.uk/products/homelight-plus-2/

Doozergirl

mrschaucer wrote: »

You CAN get proper crittall double glazing these days, but it's very expensive, I believe.
https://www.crittall-windows.co.uk/products/homelight-plus-2/

And these guys:
https://theheritagewindowcompany.co.uk/

I think these would actually add value to the house over engineered wood or aluminium

Our quote from them was similar to the aluminium we went with. Great looking windows but for us, the house is so modern that I was worried about making it work.

Michela

Doozergirl wrote: »

And these guys:
https://theheritagewindowcompany.co.uk/

I think these would actually add value to the house over engineered wood or aluminium

Our quote from them was similar to the aluminium we went with. Great looking windows but for us, the house is so modern that I was worried about making it work.

Thanks. I will contact this company and the crittall windows one from above.

I have had two quotes, a third one tomorrow and then one from Everest which I kind of regretted when they asked me if my partner would be home. I can't be bothered with that whole sales ploy of high prices to discounts. I am actually going to tell them that when they come as it will cut 30 minutes off the time they are here if they just jump to the real amount and don't pretend to call their office for a special discount.

Doozergirl

Michela wrote: »

Thanks. I will contact this company and the crittall windows one from above.

I have had two quotes, a third one tomorrow and then one from Everest which I kind of regretted when they asked me if my partner would be home. I can't be bothered with that whole sales ploy of high prices to discounts. I am actually going to tell them that when they come as it will cut 30 minutes off the time they are here if they just jump to the real amount and don't pretend to call their office for a special discount.

Cancel the appointment.

Don't waste your time. It's so outdated that I don't even understand why anyone uses them and they're not cheap anyway. There are smaller businesses that will deal with you upfront and honestly.

Michela

Doozergirl wrote: »

Cancel the appointment.

Don't waste your time. It's so outdated that I don't even understand why anyone uses them and they're not cheap anyway. There are smaller businesses that will deal with you upfront and honestly.

I wasn't going to bother but read some online reviews saying it good quality from Everest.

I will see what they have to say, I'm not a fan of their sales technique which is why they were not on my initial list of contacts.

Alan2020

Michela wrote: »

Hi,

I have a 1930s house with original single glazed crittall leaded windows which have really rusted up and I'm looking to replace.

Its sad to see them go but as it's not a listed building nobody wants to renovate them.

The options I am looking at are engineered wood or aluminium.

I am swayed towards the wood despite it being a couple of grand more expensive.

Is wood the way to go?

Any advice would be helpful. Thanks

What do you mean nobody wants to renovate them. If they haven't failed, you can remove glass, remove rust, prime, paint and reglaze. I am pretty sure you can get a person to do this, but to be frank if it is not collapsing what is there to renovate, like painting a fence

FreeBear

Single glazed with steel frames - Certainly a recipe for condensation and a cold house. Replacing with good quality double glazing is well worth doing just for the comfort value during the winter alone.

Whilst the return on investment through lower heating bills will be poor, it will increase the value of the property if/when it comes to selling - May be not as much as new windows will cost, but it will increase the kerb appeal.