Double Glazing choices
Discussion
We own in a Victorian Terraced house, which originally had single glazed sash windows. At some point one of the previous owners changed them to timber double glazed windows.
They have a large fixed pane, and a small outward opening top light, with a standard stay with locking casement stays.
We are approaching the point of having to replace these windows with new ones and we'd always assumed we'd plump for upvc sash windows. However, we are currently in a rented house, which has 50/50 split hinged upvc windows.
The ease of opening and closing, and the ability to leave them cracked open an inch is great, so we are now thinking of going down this route.
However, that leaves a decision, do we have the opening lights at the top half, or the bottom half?
They have a large fixed pane, and a small outward opening top light, with a standard stay with locking casement stays.
We are approaching the point of having to replace these windows with new ones and we'd always assumed we'd plump for upvc sash windows. However, we are currently in a rented house, which has 50/50 split hinged upvc windows.
The ease of opening and closing, and the ability to leave them cracked open an inch is great, so we are now thinking of going down this route.
However, that leaves a decision, do we have the opening lights at the top half, or the bottom half?
I'm going through this at the moment and wanted the 50/50 split so I could install plantation shutters behind.
Choices for me were UPVC sashes (£2k per window), wood windows with top half opening (£600 per window) or UPVC with top half opening (£300 per window). Given UPVC is warmer and has less maintenance - in addition to being cheaper - I've gone that option. Only drawback is the frames are thicker than wood.
Windows where the bottom half open always look crap to my eyes due to the fact the frames are thicker on the opening parts. I wouldn't consider having anything other than the top opening.
Choices for me were UPVC sashes (£2k per window), wood windows with top half opening (£600 per window) or UPVC with top half opening (£300 per window). Given UPVC is warmer and has less maintenance - in addition to being cheaper - I've gone that option. Only drawback is the frames are thicker than wood.
Windows where the bottom half open always look crap to my eyes due to the fact the frames are thicker on the opening parts. I wouldn't consider having anything other than the top opening.
As the individual windows are not massive in size and no complicated Bay windows to fit reducing labour, UPVC sash may be a lot cheaper than you think and will help resale value. I would say to call this manufacturer and ask them for a quote: click (they normally have an online instant quote but appears its being reworked so offline). They are in the north east too so you can probably drive down to visit the showroom.
Although you can get restrictors on upvc sash which means they only open a bit (to stop kids falling out), Another benefits of upvc sash is that they have a 'tilt in' facility which means you can easily clean them- your fixed part of the casement will be hard to self clean. Also they are supposed to be better in summer as when you open both top and bottom you get good airflow in both directions.
Go on, you know you want to
GuinnessMK said:
The ease of opening and closing, and the ability to leave them cracked open an inch is great, so we are now thinking of going down this route.
I personally would go for looks over practicality anyday- upvc sash with run-through horns and well chosen Astragal bars (single vertical in your case probably) are lovely! Kerb appeal is what sells houses.Although you can get restrictors on upvc sash which means they only open a bit (to stop kids falling out), Another benefits of upvc sash is that they have a 'tilt in' facility which means you can easily clean them- your fixed part of the casement will be hard to self clean. Also they are supposed to be better in summer as when you open both top and bottom you get good airflow in both directions.
Go on, you know you want to
Edited by hyphen on Thursday 8th June 10:14
My flat is in a Victorian building. I installed tilt and turns with a central bar so they look a bit like sashes: they open inwards like a door, or tilt so that air can get in from the top but they are only open a bit. They are black on the outside so look quite smart.
No issues whatsoever in the 8 years I have had them, and they look great.
No issues whatsoever in the 8 years I have had them, and they look great.
Hence me urging him to get a direct quote- OP's double glazing firm are having a laugh quoting such an amount . UPvc sash windows come pre-assembled and just screw straight in.I've just fitted these, they look way better than standard upvc mock sash windows, they comply with fire regs and have restrictors for kids. I would always recommend that bedroom windows have a means of escape and in some situations they are mandatory. If using standard upvc you can always have a dummy sash fitted to even up the glass size. (As per house to the left on the photo) The windows in the photos are from Eco-Slide and are £199+ vat, any size inc toughened glass, who ever is charging £2k per window must be a rich guy.
hyphen]ittle Lofty said:
The windows in the photos are from Eco-Slide and are £199+ vat, any size inc toughened glass, /quote]
Look great, bargain price too.
Have you used the company before, how did you find the quality?
I've used them on about 10 jobs and haven't had a problem with any of them, they are as good as any others on the market that I've seen. They made a huge difference to this house which had every design of window that you could think of Look great, bargain price too.
Have you used the company before, how did you find the quality?
Little Lofty said:
I've used them on about 10 jobs and haven't had a problem with any of them, they are as good as any others on the market that I've seen. They made a huge difference to this house which had every design of window that you could think of
Good to see a lovely house restored. Very well done, binning that porch was a good idea too.Out of interest why was the loft front dormer thingy removed, isn't it a reduction is loft space/character?
hyphen said:
Good to see a lovely house restored. Very well done, binning that porch was a good idea too.
Out of interest why was the loft front dormer thingy removed, isn't it a reduction is loft space/character?
It looked out of place and wasn't original so it was binned. The room was a good size so still perfectly useable without itOut of interest why was the loft front dormer thingy removed, isn't it a reduction is loft space/character?
Little Lofty said:
I've used them on about 10 jobs and haven't had a problem with any of them, they are as good as any others on the market that I've seen. They made a huge difference to this house which had every design of window that you could think of
They (and the rest of the house!) look great. I'll get in touch with them for a quote.Thanks for posting - this is the kind of thread which makes PH great!
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