Can I replace wooden sash windows with like for like uPVC ones?

Skag

In my lease it doesn't state that in case of replacement the windows need to be "like for like". My neighbours told me that they need to be though. The whole building has wooden sash windows, and those who replaced them, did so with timber.

Anyone else has come across this issue before?

TELLIT01

You need to check with the freeholder and the local council.  If all other properties have replaced timber with timber it is highly likely there are controls in place.  It might be a conservation area, listed building, or simply in the deeds. Those are just examples.

FreeBear

Listed building or in a conservation area, "like for like" would be the requirement (subject to the whim of the conservation officer).

You say "in my lease", so a flat ? - In this instance, it is normally the freeholder that is responsible for maintaining the fabric of the building. This responsibility generally extends to the windows as well as walls & roof.

Check your lease before spending any money.

Skag

FreeBear said:

Listed building or in a conservation area, "like for like" would be the requirement (subject to the whim of the conservation officer).

You say "in my lease", so a flat ? - In this instance, it is normally the freeholder that is responsible for maintaining the fabric of the building. This responsibility generally extends to the windows as well as walls & roof.

Check your lease before spending any money.

Yes, it's a flat in a block. The building is neither listed nor in a conservation area.

All the leaseholders (who also own part of the freehold, myself included) have replaced the windows themselves, so I don't think the responsibility for the windows lies with the freeholder.

Skag

TELLIT01 said:

You need to check with the freeholder and the local council.  If all other properties have replaced timber with timber it is highly likely there are controls in place.  It might be a conservation area, listed building, or simply in the deeds. Those are just examples.

Not a conservation area (just checked), not listed, and no specific mention in the deeds. Then again, the lease is so old (60s-70s) that there are general mentions about maintenance, nothing specific to windows.

BUFF

If you want a 1/2 way house there are different grades/styles of UPVC sash which usually vary in detailing & thickness of profiles.
Needless to say, the "conservation grade" ones are dearer.

For my own house (which sadly is in a Conservation Area so I am not allowed UPVC on the main elevation even if the detailing/profiles match) Rehau are almost a perfect replica. https://www.rehau.com/uk-en/rehau-heritage-vertical-slider
There are also 1 or 2 fabricators that have tweaked mainstream profiles even more e.g. https://www.masterframe.co.uk/bygone-sash-windows-collection/  & https://www.sashwindowsuk.com

casper_gutman

We had a uPVC sash window fitted to replace a timber one on our house. It wasn't as straightforward as doing a like for like swap because the old window had a bigger builder's opening in the inner leaf of the cavity wall where the box for the sash weights fitted around the glazed part of the window. The replacement has sprung sash balancers which were more compact. This meant there was a bit of building work to tidy things up. Not a massive thing, but something to be aware of.