To replace windows or not

JamesN

EssexExile said:

The windows are fine, just need a good clean. Put the bins in the garage for the photos and viewings. I assume you will be finishing the drive?

It'll be an office by the time we sell it so don't have that option.

Niv said:

In everything you have said I am still not convinced that replacing the windows is worth it. If you want to change the handles fine, go for it, I cant say I paid much / any attention to that detail when viewing my current (or any) house and it certainly wouldn't have changed my opinion in any way on price paid. If you have blown panes then, yes, replace those as that will be picked up and noted on the survey.

Regarding yellowing; what have you tried to get rid of it to date? Vinegar / water mix is a god homemade one to start with. I also like the no nonsense range at screwfix and they have a upvc cleaner for a fiver that might be worth a go.

I've got the no nonsense upvc cleaner, though I've not tried it on these windows. I assumed yellowing was permanent and needed some UV treatment to get rid of it rather than cleaning a film of dirt off. I'll give it a go this weekend though.

greenface2

Up the price 10k and expect it to be reduced about erm 10k . They're both over 10 years old front about 30 yrs and back about 20plus , they're externally glazed old espag handles and pressure gaskets . probably security glazed with harsh metal clips and the ones that have gaps have the mechanism slipped out of place . If you did them yourself to a decent standard for less than 10k they will sell the house quicker to someone that do not want the hassle of replacing the windows . White is a decent choice for that style of house . decent comp door too esp if doing it yourself  

Doozergirl

Can you peel off the leading? 

That's what dates the windows.  

JamesN

greenface2 said:

Up the price 10k and expect it to be reduced about erm 10k . They're both over 10 years old front about 30 yrs and back about 20plus , they're externally glazed old espag handles and pressure gaskets . probably security glazed with harsh metal clips and the ones that have gaps have the mechanism slipped out of place . If you did them yourself to a decent standard for less than 10k they will sell the house quicker to someone that do not want the hassle of replacing the windows . White is a decent choice for that style of house . decent comp door too esp if doing it yourself  

Yeah definitely fitting a new door. 

The gaps are between the frame itself rather than the glazing and frame. 

You’re right about the ageing. Just checked my legal pack and the extension was done in the 90’s. 

You seem to know a fair bit about windows. Would you notice the difference of warmth in the house by replacing all these aged windows? It’s going to show up on the epc if they aren’t replaced. 

Doozergirl said:

Can you peel off the leading? 

That's what dates the windows.  

You can peel it off but, rather annoyingly, there is then metal between the glazing. Not sure what’s worse…

JamesN

The other issue is that we're looking at selling in the new year so it'd be nice to have a better insulated house over the winter with the way the gas prices are going!

[Deleted User]

You sound sold on the idea already.
Changing the seals on my old windows at the same time as cleaning and handles made a difference in looks and heating. e.g. our bay would be around £800 to replace new but 30 odd quid for new seals and handles did the trick. we did the whole house for seals and stopped lots of gaps from worn seals.

Edit. The seals for the whole house double glazed openings around 90 odd I think. Might be wrong, handles fiver or so, so probably less on the bay to make it better.

JamesN

half_empty said:

You sound sold on the idea already.
Changing the seals on my old windows at the same time as cleaning and handles made a difference in looks and heating. e.g. our bay would be around £800 to replace new but 30 odd quid for new seals and handles did the trick. we did the whole house for seals and stopped lots of gaps from worn seals.

Edit. The seals for the whole house double glazed openings around 90 odd I think. Might be wrong, handles fiver or so, so probably less on the bay to make it better.

Haha, 10/10 for intuition. I am struggling not to do it as having checked 2 of them, the window is hanging down lower and cannot be fixed, thus will need to be replaced.

How old were your windows? When you say seals, which seals were they? Seen some Yale handles that are pretty cheap. I'm tempted to just replace the really old windows and then just change the handles on the slightly newer ones.

[Deleted User]

JamesN said:

half_empty said:

You sound sold on the idea already.
Changing the seals on my old windows at the same time as cleaning and handles made a difference in looks and heating. e.g. our bay would be around £800 to replace new but 30 odd quid for new seals and handles did the trick. we did the whole house for seals and stopped lots of gaps from worn seals.

Edit. The seals for the whole house double glazed openings around 90 odd I think. Might be wrong, handles fiver or so, so probably less on the bay to make it better.

Haha, 10/10 for intuition. I am struggling not to do it as having checked 2 of them, they window is hanging down lower and cannot be fixed, thus will need to be replaced.

How old were your windows? When you say seals, which seals were they? Seen some Yale handles that are pretty cheap. I'm tempted to just replace the really old windows and then just change the handles on the slightly newer ones.

Sok. I do the same.
But, ours is 1998. The seals are in the frame, and in the opening window (NOT the seals holding the panes in) There are recesses for them to slot into. Mine were flipper seals, they had collapsed and would not pop out when window closed meaning it was basically a gale coming through each one, your seals might be OK, worth a quick check but no point wasting if not needed. I replaced with bubble seals but bought a test pack from the supplier first to see which ones fit.

Can't say for all frames but my seals literally pull out and pop in the new seal with your thumb.

Handles, I bought from an online shop along with the seal and hinges, measure window and if it uses 2 seals, double the measurements.

Hinges, two of mine had dropped and one of the rivets holding the hinge together had gone. The change needed the windows out and they were both upstairs so care needed and two people. Careful to fit the new screw into the frame. Slotted back and they are good. Obviously if that is an option for you.

Are we allowed to name drop?

https://www.handlesandhinges.co.uk

JamesN

half_empty said:

JamesN said:

half_empty said:

You sound sold on the idea already.
Changing the seals on my old windows at the same time as cleaning and handles made a difference in looks and heating. e.g. our bay would be around £800 to replace new but 30 odd quid for new seals and handles did the trick. we did the whole house for seals and stopped lots of gaps from worn seals.

Edit. The seals for the whole house double glazed openings around 90 odd I think. Might be wrong, handles fiver or so, so probably less on the bay to make it better.

Haha, 10/10 for intuition. I am struggling not to do it as having checked 2 of them, they window is hanging down lower and cannot be fixed, thus will need to be replaced.

How old were your windows? When you say seals, which seals were they? Seen some Yale handles that are pretty cheap. I'm tempted to just replace the really old windows and then just change the handles on the slightly newer ones.

Sok. I do the same.
But, ours is 1998. The seals are in the frame, and in the opening window (NOT the seals holding the panes in) There are recesses for them to slot into. Mine were flipper seals, they had collapsed and would not pop out when window closed meaning it was basically a gale coming through each one, your seals might be OK, worth a quick check but no point wasting if not needed. I replaced with bubble seals but bought a test pack from the supplier first to see which ones fit.

Can't say for all frames but my seals literally pull out and pop in the new seal with your thumb.

Handles, I bought from an online shop along with the seal and hinges, measure window and if it uses 2 seals, double the measurements.

Hinges, two of mine had dropped and one of the rivets holding the hinge together had gone. The change needed the windows out and they were both upstairs so care needed and two people. Careful to fit the new screw into the frame. Slotted back and they are good. Obviously if that is an option for you.

Are we allowed to name drop?

https://www.handlesandhinges.co.uk

Think it’s ok to name drop as long as it isn’t your own company. The one window definitely can’t be refurbished. I think the metal in the frame is bent as there is no obvious damage to the joins. I had to drill the lock as none of the keys worked in it but that’d be a simple replacement. 

The main thing that’s bothering me is the lead on the windows. It looks terrible. Only way that’s going is new windows or new glazing. Plus they’re going to look worse by comparison when the garage conversion window goes in. If I just do the older windows it will probably set me back about £3.5k but have a big improvement on the look of the house.