Can I change the colour of my windows?

Rob-123

Many thanks to you allfor taking the time to reply

Before this post u contacted the window company and asked the same question, they said to check my house documents and check if there is a covenant stating that the external appearance of the house must remain the same - in this case that the windows must remain brown, and if not then I am fine to go ahead - so I will be checking this tonight.

I will also check for Artical 4 directions.

Regarding the current windows, yes they definitely need replacing, it’s been something we’ve needed to do for a while but not had the money. Most of the windows have drought excluder around them because the don’t shut properly, a few panes of glass are blown and hold condensation, and a lot of the handles are in poor condition.

Albermarle

vacheron said:

Is there anything wrong with the "old" brown windows? There are many companies now who can stain / paint UPVC windows for a fraction of the cost of new ones.Not sure if they can get brown windows all the way to white, but our negihbour and my brother have both had theirs stained from brown to a light anthracite grey, and they look great and have lasted very well. 

Could be worth asking the question at least. 

And to confirm with the others, you can choose any colour you want. Remember that before UPVC was common people used to paint their wooden window frames regularly, and there were dozens of different colours to choose from each time.

Just for general info.

Originally brown UPVC windows, were pigmented brown throughout. However they had a tendency to fade, and then did not look great. I think as you say it is possible to paint these ( or white ones).

In later times the manufacturers stuck to making white UPVC frames and then laminating them with a thin foil to get different colours, woodgrain effect etc. These thin foils are designed/formulated to withstand the weather, UV etc .

Not sure how easily these can be painted. It might be fine but would need to be checked.

Ningaloo

Check you mortgage deeds as well. Look at the covenants. My home restricts me from running a business from here (strangely). But as all other windows have remained brown, just check there isnt a hidden clause in your deeds about this. Also worth speaking with your neighbours if you know them. Check if they know anything. 

Albermarle

My home restricts me from running a business from here (strangely).

I think in fact that covenant is very common.

Rob-123

Good morning. 

Last night I went through the paperwork for my house from when we purchased it, in oarticukar the land registry information where I found a section on the original covenants.

There were around 10 covenants for example no caravans or boats to be parked in driveways, to no satellite dishes to be fitted to the house that can be seen from the road (which I think all of the houses in my road have!)

But no mention anywhere whatsoever about restrictions on changing the appearance of the house, for example windows, brickwork, guttering etc.

I also got a reply from the council after I asked them if there are any Article 4 directions in my area, I was sent a map and there are none anywhere near my road.

vacheron

Another thing to note about covenants is that a party with the benefit to the covenant needs to exist in order to enforce it.

Our street was originally built by a group of tradespeople, project managers, accountants, architechts and planners who jointly purchased the land and then built a number of houses on it, (each contributing their specific skills to the project), which they all subsequently moved in to.

During this process they set up a company called "The <my street name> self build association" to manage the finances and the development of the project. When the project was completed, this company was then dissolved.

When we later purchased one of these houses from one of the original owners, our solicitor highlighted that, while a number of covenants did exist, they were effectively irrelevant as there was no company remaining to enforce them.

FreeBear

Rob-123 said: I also got a reply from the council after I asked them if there are any Article 4 directions in my area, I was sent a map and there are none anywhere near my road.

An Article 4 directive wouldn't restrict what colour your windows or doors are.

By the sounds of it, you've covered all your bases, so go ahead and get the windows you want in what ever colour you desire.

Rob-123

Thank you very much for your advice

stuart45

Section62 said:
 Planning permission is usually granted after the planners have details of the materials and finishes, in some cases they will ask for actual samples.  Sometimes those details get written into the consent in the form of a planning condition - i.e. "must be built using the materials specified in drawing/schedule xxx...".

Unless planning conditions include an expiry date (e.g. landscaping often has to be kept as it is for 5 or 10 years) then they last forever.  So if someone wanted to be a PITB to you and they discovered there was a planning condition that had the effect of requiring the windows to be retained in a brown finish then they could go to the council to ask them to enforce the condition. (in theory)  

This point is worth checking. I know that planning used to check brick samples, but possibly window colours were included. 

moneysaver1978

Is there a parish or similar (like planning committee) near you? Some areas have one of these groups who would oppose/approve any changes in "appearance" of the houses on the estate.