Double-glazing / removing old sash boxes...

Lips

Hello,

I'm upgrading single-glazed sash windows to double glazing and I've had a couple of window guys out to quote. Both said (independently) that I would be better leaving in the old sash boxes, as removing them is an unnecessary hassle. Both will charge extra (£60 to £80 per window) if I insist on having them removed.

I am a bit worried about the potential that the windows could rot if I leave in the old boxes (which are 100 yo.) In addition, my SIL has just told me that the 'boxing in' process of these old boxes leads to an unsightly finish internally with big thick boxes protruding wide out onto the internal ledge, whereas removing them will leave a nice wide window ledge. She says the window guys are taking the easy route, but it's not the best route.

Anyone have any professional opinion on this?


Many thanks,
Lips

ukwoody

Yes I would agree they are taking the easy route. By leaving the boxes in, not only will they eventually rot, you will reduce the amount of available light. That said, there are cases where the boxes are deep set in, that it *might* be better to leave them. I would seek further advice on this, and if possible post us some pics showing both inside and outside and perhaps we can offer a more definite answer.

woody

Lips

Thanks for that - I'll try and get a couple of pics uploaded for you to have a squint at.


Cheers,
Lips

woodbutcher_2

I've done them both ways.It's a lot easier to leave the old boxes in and if they are not already rotten,then chances are they wont rot in the future.if done right they look ok.The alternative is to remove everything and start again.This leaves a large area to make up with either timber and plasterboard or brick and render.This then needs to be plastered which is where the problem lies because you then have to decorate.Window fitters would rather just cover everything in plastic,mores the pity.

vansboy

Before you rip anything out, have you thought of reconditioning the windows & having sealed units fitted into re-made sashes.

It might not be as scary a price as you think & would maintain the character of the house - something that always is a favourite thing with Sarah Beeny & co.

There were some similar posts, w while back, perhaps a forum search might give a few hints.

VB

Bungarm2001

We have just done this in a house we are renovating. We would have been more inclined to leave the boxes in if at all possible, but in this case we removed them. (mainly because the windows are so small and we needed as much light as poss)

Because we do everything ourselves normally, we just had the new frames and DG units put in without having the fitter finish them off, because they do tend to cover everything with plastic otherwise if you let them loose on it, and it looks dam ugly. My OH then plugged up most of the gaps with lumps of 4x4 then plastered up and trimmed the windows with some nice architrave and infill strips in softwood.
It was a bit of a compromise, but the end result looks pretty good.

If you're not up to the DIY thing yourself, maybe you could get a joiner to trim the windows in wood? At least you'll cut down on the plastic.

If you do have the sash boxes removed, be prepared for a LOT of dust and mess...and I do mean A LOT :eek:

PS We replaced the old broken internal cills with new wooden ones too...wouldh've been more bluddy plastic if the fitter had had his way! At first glance, it looks like a wooden frame.

Rex_Mundi

It is your choice, but if I had this done, I would choose to take the boxes out.

Your quotes of £60 to £80 per window for this is very reasonable. When I take boxes out, I make good with plaster. You should expect the same from your fitters.

sodamnfunky

Im a Joiner by trade, and can not for the life of me, understand why people say this. If you are having the sashes done, you just as well have the whole thing do and then you know its all going to be ok. Just insist they have a hardwood cill, something like Iroko.

Lips

Thank-you, everybody, for the advice. I've been trying to put some pics on but the technology has gotten the better of me :rolleyes:.

Anyway, since my post I got another joiner round for a look, and he said that he would strip everything out back to the stone mullions and start from scratch, just in case any of the old timber had rot. He also said that it was important that the carpentry is well done, as it can look like a dog's breakfast if not done properly. He hasn't given me a price yet as he has to get prices for the uPVC units from his supplier.

I'm now left thinking that perhaps the first guys don't have confidence in their carpentry skills and THAT'S why they're suggesting leaving in the old boxes? They are certainly pushing for uPVC everything, even the sills. When I suggested that I would like timber sills, they tried very hard to talk me out of it, saying that the oak effect uPVC that I'm after looks fine all round. However, they seem pretty cheap (£6200 for 15 windows and a door) - I'd be surprised if the latest chappy will match that.

I'm now quite confused. I'm not a purist by any means (and it's not a very architecturally pretty house anyway), and having good insulation and weather-proofing is my main motivation, but still I don't want to make an absolute mess of it (and have people walking past, rolling their eyes...!)

Jings!

- Lips

woodbutcher_2

The first lot didn't have confidence in their carpentry skills because they are not carpenters.If they were,most likely they wouldn't be doing plastic windows.£6200 is not that cheap for 15 windows and a door,so the second price may not be too bad.