Timber Sash Windows vs. UPVC in Victorian semi

Fletchasketch

Hello, 
I recently moved into a Victorian semi-detached house with original sash windows. Beautiful, but not functioning particularly well. I've had a few quotes for replacement windows c.10K for timber refurbishment with double glazing and C.7K for timber replica UPVC windows which I'm told are almost indistinguishable from timber. I had been plumping more for the timber refurbishment, both to keep the character of the house, as a more long-term option and to be more sustainable, but would be glad to hear any perspectives on this. I realise there is an upkeep consideration with timber, but am not overly concerned by this.
Another consideration is that I'll be looking to extend into the side return in the next 3-5 years and am wondering if it will be a pain to fit an extension with timber doors and windows. 
Thanks for your input!

NeverTooLate

Fletchasketch said:

Hello, 
I recently moved into a Victorian semi-detached house with original sash windows. Beautiful, but not functioning particularly well.

In what way aren't they functioning? Have you considered renovating the existing windows? You can do it yourself if it's just a case of replacing the sash cords.

Of course if you want to have double glazed windows you'll need to replace them, but if you renovated them now to get them working properly you could then wait to have them replaced at the same time that you do your extension.

Fletchasketch

NeverTooLate said:

Fletchasketch said:

Hello, 
I recently moved into a Victorian semi-detached house with original sash windows. Beautiful, but not functioning particularly well.

In what way aren't they functioning? Have you considered renovating the existing windows? You can do it yourself if it's just a case of replacing the sash cords.

Of course if you want to have double glazed windows you'll need to replace them, but if you renovated them now to get them working properly you could then wait to have them replaced at the same time that you do your extension.

Draughty, some cracked panes, need painting- single glazed. Many have been painted shut. To be honest, given that I'm 3-5 years away from the extension, I'd rather sort them before winter and get the energy saving benefits. 

lucypilates

So you asked for perspectives on the timber/upvc window debate ...

I'm in similar position with a victorian property with single glazed, timber sash windows which are mainly painted shut even though they are desperate for a new coat of paint outside ... I've only just bought the house so am still considering my options ...

So far I've had 2 quotes for replacement sash windows in upvc c.18-25k!!!- i've opted for upvc because i prefer next to no maintenance but you've said you're not bothered by this yourself so might not be an issue for you. If i went for casement in upvc it would be about half. I have one window which is at the rear of the property which I'll probably just do casement as that will save bout £500.

I am of the mindset that whilst it's nice for others to look upon my house with its original Victorian features, I am the one paying the gas bill and living in the property and I prefer low maintenance and energy efficiency. 

I don't believe that it will affect the price of my house in future - all my neighbours have upvc casement windows and mine will replicate sash windows ... I reckon they'd still go for the same price ..

theoretica

UPVC has little maintenance, until they need complete replacement and a big bill.  Timber needs ongoing maintenance but should outlive UPVC.  Depending on the windows and construction, timber can also be a structural and supporting element and unless this is taken into account in the replacement may lead to cracking of the walls, concern and further work needed.  So personally, I come down on the timber side and if UPVC you want a good builder who will know about the walls, not someone cheap who only talks about the windows.

SameOldRoundabout

We are in a similar position, but only our large square bay has the original sashes. I was desperate to keep/repair them but having spent a winter here they’re definitely not staying. We face the sea and oh my god, the room was so cold every time the wind came from the west! 

I am going to replace with double glazed timber sashes, but only because my husband is a joiner who can make them. It would have been thousands to have them made by someone else and I’d have gone for UPVC and sacrificed aesthetics for warmth. 

Fletchasketch

lucypilates said:

So you asked for perspectives on the timber/upvc window debate ...

I'm in similar position with a victorian property with single glazed, timber sash windows which are mainly painted shut even though they are desperate for a new coat of paint outside ... I've only just bought the house so am still considering my options ...

So far I've had 2 quotes for replacement sash windows in upvc c.18-25k!!!- i've opted for upvc because i prefer next to no maintenance but you've said you're not bothered by this yourself so might not be an issue for you. If i went for casement in upvc it would be about half. I have one window which is at the rear of the property which I'll probably just do casement as that will save bout £500.

I am of the mindset that whilst it's nice for others to look upon my house with its original Victorian features, I am the one paying the gas bill and living in the property and I prefer low maintenance and energy efficiency. 

I don't believe that it will affect the price of my house in future - all my neighbours have upvc casement windows and mine will replicate sash windows ... I reckon they'd still go for the same price ..

Thanks for this- very helpful. I agree the cost is eye-watering for timber, but am expecting to be here for 20+ years so I'm happy to get it right. Some people have said they couldn't see the difference between the timber and the UPVC- was this the case for you? I was also told that the difference in heat loss between double glazed timber and UPVC would be minimal, but that was from the sash refurbisher man, so perhaps not wholly accurate ;-). 

Fletchasketch

theoretica said:

UPVC has little maintenance, until they need complete replacement and a big bill.  Timber needs ongoing maintenance but should outlive UPVC.  Depending on the windows and construction, timber can also be a structural and supporting element and unless this is taken into account in the replacement may lead to cracking of the walls, concern and further work needed.  So personally, I come down on the timber side and if UPVC you want a good builder who will know about the walls, not someone cheap who only talks about the windows.

Thanks! Do you think I will have any issue finding a sympathetic match for the original refurbed windows once I come to do the side return extension? Will require double french windows and a smaller casement window. 

Fletchasketch

SameOldRoundabout said:

We are in a similar position, but only our large square bay has the original sashes. I was desperate to keep/repair them but having spent a winter here they’re definitely not staying. We face the sea and oh my god, the room was so cold every time the wind came from the west! 

I am going to replace with double glazed timber sashes, but only because my husband is a joiner who can make them. It would have been thousands to have them made by someone else and I’d have gone for UPVC and sacrificed aesthetics for warmth. 

Thanks. I've heard from some that it's difficult to add double glazing to original windows and can end up not looking right- do you/your husband know if there's any truth in that? I'm sure the new windows will look fabulous and how amazing to have a sea view! 

SameOldRoundabout

Fletchasketch said:

SameOldRoundabout said:

We are in a similar position, but only our large square bay has the original sashes. I was desperate to keep/repair them but having spent a winter here they’re definitely not staying. We face the sea and oh my god, the room was so cold every time the wind came from the west! 

I am going to replace with double glazed timber sashes, but only because my husband is a joiner who can make them. It would have been thousands to have them made by someone else and I’d have gone for UPVC and sacrificed aesthetics for warmth. 

Thanks. I've heard from some that it's difficult to add double glazing to original windows and can end up not looking right- do you/your husband know if there's any truth in that? I'm sure the new windows will look fabulous and how amazing to have a sea view! 

Yes, there’s restrictions if you want to keep the frames on how thick the glazing can be. We are having to go quite thin to get double glazing in at all, 12mm I think off hand. I would have liked triple glazing for the wind factor but we can’t justify taking out the frames too. 

Fletchasketch

SameOldRoundabout said:

Fletchasketch said:

SameOldRoundabout said:

We are in a similar position, but only our large square bay has the original sashes. I was desperate to keep/repair them but having spent a winter here they’re definitely not staying. We face the sea and oh my god, the room was so cold every time the wind came from the west! 

I am going to replace with double glazed timber sashes, but only because my husband is a joiner who can make them. It would have been thousands to have them made by someone else and I’d have gone for UPVC and sacrificed aesthetics for warmth. 

Thanks. I've heard from some that it's difficult to add double glazing to original windows and can end up not looking right- do you/your husband know if there's any truth in that? I'm sure the new windows will look fabulous and how amazing to have a sea view! 

Yes, there’s restrictions if you want to keep the frames on how thick the glazing can be. We are having to go quite thin to get double glazing in at all, 12mm I think off hand. I would have liked triple glazing for the wind factor but we can’t justify taking out the frames too. 

Good to know, thank you.