[Glasgow tenement flat] worth replacing old wooden double-glazed windows?

Karen12345

Hello everyone! We live in a a 2 bedroom Glasgow tenement in Whiteinch, with double glazed windows with wooden frames. The frames are old but not rotting or anything – the main thing about them is they don’t have the super close fit you get with PVC windows, so they let in more cold and noise (we are on a main road).

I’m thinking of getting new PVC windows for various reasons, but only if I can be quite confident we’d make the money back when selling the place. It would cost around 5k (8 windows). Do you guys think we’d make this back? Or would buyers not be that bothered about new PVC windows, so long as the old windows were double glazed and in decent condition? I reckon at the mo the place is worth about 95k, so that's quite a big percentage of the total value.

davidmcn

You won't make your money back on a sale, no. Cheaper just to add some draught-proofing?

AnotherJoe

Id say you wont get a penny extra for the flat.

Karen12345

Thanksfor the speedy replies, and that's very unambiguous haha! Could you guys explain why you're so confident? Aren't newer windows more appealing to new buyers?

diggingdude

Buyers expect windows to be decent. You will pay that money and maybe get £500 bonus. But if the current Windows aren't good the buyer will happily knock off £5k. it's like spending £20,000 on a new kitchen then I buy your house don't like it and rip it out

davidmcn

Yes, they might be more appealing, but they won't be £5k more appealing. Even if you replace the windows now, they won't be brand new by the time you sell. And it's not too much hassle for anyone to replace the windows in the future (unlike some other home improvements).

letsbetfair

Depending on the style of the tenament, some buyers might also prefer food windows

Karen12345

Very interesting! I'm going to get advice from a couple of local estate agents (taken with a pinch of salt) but looks like the answer is quite obvious. :P Any more views/personal experiences welcome.

letsbetfair

Sorry - I meant wood windows not food windows, of course (autocorrect...)

[Deleted User]

Hi,


the thing is installing upvc windows is really for your own benefit and comfort.


Less maintenance, no more painting, no draughts and less noise, may save you a bit on energy bills over the winter, unfortunately wont added the money spent to value of house.


Have you thought about secondary glazing?

need_an_answer

I tend to agree that purchasers might prefer the "rustic " option so to change the windows to upvc may not prove cost effective in the sense that if they cost £5k you wont automatically add that money to the value of the property.


How many other residential units in the block have changed their windows to UPVC that's always a good indicator whether its cost effective or indeed whether better fitting windows will mean cheaper utility costs as heat isn't being lost.


I possibly would say that if they arnt broken per se then some draught excluder might be a much cheaper way of keeping heat in and save you the cost of opting for UPVC which once fitted could stick out like a sore thumb amongst all the other wood ones.

Yes you can get wood look upvc but its no where near an exact match.