Refurbish or replace windows

mama4321

Hi we have recently bought a 30 year old house which has its original dark wooden double glazed windows.   They do not have locks on them, several of the handles are very difficult to operate, and in many places the wood is in need of  repair - but we are assured it can be sorted. One small unit is blown so will need replacing.   We have been looking into having the outsides repaired and repainted - white, because they make the house look so dark and dingy at the moment, and I will do the insides.  
We obviously need to sort locks too.  I have bought some swing locks for upstairs operated by a sort of allen key key, and am looking for something with a proper key for downstairs (any advice on that gratefully received) which will be more expensive.

But - I wonder whether with windows of that age it would just be better to just get them replaced rather than going to the time and effort and expense of sorting them?  Or should I be expecting many more years out of them?  I presume that modern double glazing will be more efficient?   I keep going round in circles on this and would really value some other (more knowledgeable) opinions.      I don't want to be wasteful of the units but don't want to spend loads of time and money on them if replacing them would be more sensible.

Many thanks for any advice/opinions.

Scot22

I think better to replace with modern upc double/triple glazed.  Start again with improved insulation.

Doozergirl

There will be a big difference in the thermal qualities of modern and 30 year old windows.   

How beautiful would the originals be if they were painted?  

EssexExile

Do people use locks on windows?

FreeBear

EssexExile said: Do people use locks on windows?

It is often a requirement for house insurance.

mama4321

Thank you for your answers. I think new windows is the answer I am hoping for as it lets me off the hook for a whole lot of window frame painting!!

How beautiful @Doozergirl ? Not sure!     But much better white than dark brown for me for that house for sure.

Yes @EssexExile @FreeBear window locks are for insurance, (we're not moved in yet so it will be empty for a wee while) and I will get the cheapy ones on asap throughout if we go the new window route.

A follow up question then is about finding people to quote.  We have a Window advice centre here which seems to act as a free to us broker getting us quotes from several companies.  Does anybody have any experience of them?

Grenage

We always say that our windows don't have locks - because we never lock them.

molerat

We have 30+ yo hardwood frames and I do like them much more than UPVC and the majority of the frames are still in pretty good condition

But .......

A few of the glazed units need replacing but it would be difficult to replace with more efficient thicker units.

A total PITA to replace all the now pretty inflexible rubber seals

All the old locking mechanisms need removing and cleaning, maybe replacing some

So replacing will likely be a lot easier than a refurb.