Replacement Windows - how do I get Double Glazing without being chewed up & spat out!

lisap4123

I realised when posting the pictures that some people would prefer the originals, and thats fine because it's different tastes and all that. However it's quite surprising I think how many people feel quite strongly about retaining the original features ie Sash windows. I know that in the 'before' pics they look really nice but they weren't nice to live with - cold, drafty, noisy, cracked, rotton- all of which doesn't come across in a picture. Personally I feel that to save energy and reduce my heating bills and help the environment is a more worthy cause than preserving sash windows. In fact I really dislike sash windows for the reasons already mentioned. My housemate is from Germany and she was aware of the English trend of preserving features in a house at the expense of energy efficiency. In the future if the area becomes a sought after place to live, maybe someone may want to when considering replacing the windows again, fit UPVC sash windows. For me this wasnt worth the expense (more than double the cost) and was out of my price range and considered not to be worth it for the area.

Incidentally much as I hate original sash windows I didnt have a celebratory bonfire with the sashes! I was able to find a new owner for them on Freecycle. All you sash lovers will be pleased to hear that my old sashes have gone to breathe new life into another house and have helped to restore another local townhouse/terrace. Long may their drafty coldness and selfish noisiness live on !! Long live le Sash !!

[Deleted User]

The main thing is that you are happy (and warm)! :beer:

DenBo_4

Lisap I know what you mean, I live in a draughty noisy sash windowed Victorian house, I have only so far managed to have one window replaced, (the bathroom one, it was falling out) and I am saving to have some more replaced. I won't even be going for mock sash, I'm going for the cheapest option! Apart from not having double glazing my sash windows are either broken or have been painted shut :eek: so can't be opened anyway. I can't wait to have double glazing - at least on my bedroom window - and I probably will only have one done at a time. Where I live the residents have a mish-mash of versions of double glazing, and only a few of us left with original windows. So whatever I choose will look just as bad as the rest..................................

katepnlo

Exactly each to their own
But can i just say in my defence or in the defence of sashes lol,
I wasn't going to say but we have our own box sash window company and i can honestly say for anyone else reading this thread who are looking into their windows, it is actualy VERY cost effective to have sashes overhauled and draught proofed.
in 95% of cases we have fully renovated sash windows rather than replace and they look as good as new (in a traditional old sort of way!) no draught and noise greatly reduced.
Double glazing orig sashes is totaly possible...i shan't get into E values etc etc, but if noise is an issue you would be amazed at the difference it makes (standard or a type for sashes, which is alot more compact)

So for anyone who has done a search and found this and feels very strongly about keeping your box sash windows it is totaly do-able and very cost effective IF you find the right firm.

What ever area of the country you are in i would highly recomend looking into smaller firms. Some of the larger firms made my jaw drop seeing prices they charge!
The prices vary sooo much between them all and not by small amounts either.
One example i came across last week when i was chatting to a customer who had three qoutes infront of him. The difference in cost was 45%.
So never get one quote. Get them all round. When you get your quote contact them ask if there is anything that can be done on the price, you never know your luck,you can only be told 'no' after all!

So orig poster i am prob rather biased anyway! now you know, but i honestly did meen each to their own and i am glad you are happy with your work and the deal you got i just had to mention the cost thing just incase someone does do a search..some really do love the traditional windows (as i do) and may feel at a loss if they have only got say one terrible quote!
I am sure you totaly made that freecyclers day!!
kate

lisap4123

DenBo wrote: »

I am saving to have some more replaced. I won't even be going for mock sash, I'm going for the cheapest option! Apart from not having double glazing my sash windows are either broken or have been painted shut :eek: so can't be opened anyway..

I think the only difference in price for my mock sash compared to standard windows was a georgian bar down the middle - which may have put the price up by all of about £10 per window - its far more affordable than you may think.

I totally empathise with you about the sash windows - only 2 of my 4 previous ones worked. My bedroom was a nightmare as it got hot in summer and I couldnt open the window - like yours painted shut or runner mechanism broken or rotton or all of these things. Now I can open and close my windows and its great !

One of the criticisms of casement v original or replacement UPVC sash is that they block out more light due to the frames of the replacement taking up more of the previous glass space. My comeback to this is that before I used to hide my horrible broken & rotton sashes (with foam stuffed into the many gaps in an attempt at reducing the drafts) behind nets and heavy curtains which blocked out the light anyway. Now they are replaced I can bear to look at them more and they are less hidden away therefore there is now actually more light coming into my house than before anyway !!

lisap4123

In response to Katepnlo I have to mention that in fact whilst I considered renovating my original sash's I didnt actually cost it out by getting a quote, so I cant comment on this at all. I just rejected the idea as I was so fed up of sashes.

Replacement UPVC sash would have been my preferred choice - had I had an extra £4k or so available, but I don't, so on price alone ruled this out.

The next best option I could afford was imitation sash, which I am happy with on price and quality.

I totally agree with Kateplno regarding the difference in price for the same job. Quotes on replacement mock sash have varied from around £2k up to £7k. I really dont think that the most expensive firm would have delivered the best quality. This was a national firm. The cheaper quotes came from smaller local companies. I would highly recommend the small local firms. In my experience of replacing my windows the small firms did not harrass for get aggressive or use any types of dodgy 'special offers' for signing up there and then . They all were able to within 30-40 mins, measure up and provide a competitive quote in a professional and friendly manor. Word of mouth is also another good way of finding out who will do a good job.

susanmck

Thanks for all your updates Lisa. I too am obsessed by my windows and as I hope to stay in this house a long time I worry any mistake will irritate me every day for years!
In Scotland we have a Window Advisory Service who organise a range of quotes from reputable companies after just one non pressure visit. I would be grateful if anybody had feedback about this service.

lisap4123

Is this normal - an organisation wants to visit me to check my windows so that they can issue the fensa cert?? I thought that a fensa reg company could issue a fensa cert??

sashman

Fensa is the fenistration self administration scheme. Registered companies (9,000 of them) self certify that they have complied with build regulations, thats all FENSA does, allow installers to say they have complied with the regs.

Each company then registers your window installation on the FENSA database.

However a selection of installations then get spot checked (about 2%) of their totals, but at least two per year. Its likely the company wishes to inspect your property to ensure the installers has followed the building regulation requirements.

Things like toughened glass etc, so they can confirm the installers ablility to conform to the regs.

You can always check their credentials and as always I'd recommend you do before letting anyone into your home.

Hope this helps.

xpf

Glad you got your windows sorted Lisa. :beer:

Just thought I'd point out that FENSA is one of a few schemes that allow businesses to self certify windows. Two others I know of are CERTAS & BSI.