Is installing windows during winter a good idea?

[brianos]

Gurus,

I'm replacing all the windows in a 1700's cottage with a mix of wooden at the front and pvc (cost!) at the rear.

Delays have driven the install date into December. Is that ok? i.e. are there any show stopper challenges with setting the windows in (with whatever is used, render/cement/putty for the glass etc)?

Also, whilst I'm here, what should I expect the installers to use in terms of materials for installation?

Thanks in advance for any guidance

Brian

 

[Cubist]

Hi Brian and Welcome,

Before anyone answers it may be best if you tell us more about the cottage and its construction as the latter may have a bearing.

Cheers for now.

 

[Kearn]

There’s a lot of variables unknown… Most important is what the surrounding structure is constructed from. And how breathable and appropriate the existing materials are.

Putty should be set on glazing before windows arrive with you.
External line fillets won’t be ideal in Dec, but you can never guess the weather.

Sounds like your installers may not have the experience if they’re not already providing the answers to these questions for you?

 

[a twig]

Based purely on my own bitter experience of things with trades rarely going smoothly, unless your existing windows are completely shot and letting the weather in I’d personally be inclined to wait until Spring, irrelevant of construction materials and install methods…

 

[Eric56]

Agree with a twig above - my experience is window fitting is a rush job. They will cut out your existing windows first thing, your house will be bitter cold and then you hope they have everything they need to fit the new window. If not, you're stuck with some sort of bodge until the following day - or worse!
Wait until mid March if you possibly can. A window is only as good as the install. Have learned this lesson the hard way - TWICE!

 

[ThornhillMike]

Gurus,

I'm replacing all the windows in a 1700's cottage with a mix of wooden at the front and pvc (cost!) at the rear.

Delays have driven the install date into December. Is that ok? i.e. are there any show stopper challenges with setting the windows in (with whatever is used, render/cement/putty for the glass etc)?

Also, whilst I'm here, what should I expect the installers to use in terms of materials for installation?

Thanks in advance for any guidance

Brian

I'd sit the installers down for a wee chat. As others have said, the windows should arrive ready to install (insist that they are) and the installers should be able to talk you through their approach. Perhaps I was lucky but I've just had a local firm of joiners remove and replace 17 new windows and every day ended without any unfinished openings, ugly OSB overnight bodges or non-functioning (new) windows. There is no excuse for them not to be able to convince you of their approach and materials.

If they can't convince you there won't be a problem then I'd bump it to more clement weather (and if you can, use another firm...).

Good luck!

 

[brianos]

Hi Brian and Welcome,

Before anyone answers it may be best if you tell us more about the cottage and its construction as the latter may have a bearing.

Cheers for now.

Hi Cubist, that's a good question and not sure I have the right wording, but...here goes..

The walls are stone (slate + mud, mostly), and are between 2 and 3 feet thick in points. There is no cavity wall that I'm aware of. There is no formal DPC that I'm aware of. (not withstanding the bizarre electro-osmotic magic someone installed in the late 80s ( a wire running around the walls). The outside, sadly.. is rendered in a couple of layers of impervious stuff (I assume a cement mix). so, the outside is not breathable.

The windows are a mix of new and old but are current all wood.

not sure what else you might need to know that would help the window discussion.

The installer I hope will install piece by piece. as opposed to take them all out and then hope for the best!

 

[brianos]

Based purely on my own bitter experience of things with trades rarely going smoothly, unless your existing windows are completely shot and letting the weather in I’d personally be inclined to wait until Spring, irrelevant of construction materials and install methods…

there are a couple that are shot and letting water in, but.. they have been forever so waiting a bit longer might not make any difference. Unfortunately, command and control is on my critical path and wants them in come hell or high water. all I've got left in a case for defence is something like 'the cement wont set, or the paint wont dry' in the depths of winter.

 

[brianos]

I'd sit the installers down for a wee chat. As others have said, the windows should arrive ready to install (insist that they are) and the installers should be able to talk you through their approach. Perhaps I was lucky but I've just had a local firm of joiners remove and replace 17 new windows and every day ended without any unfinished openings, ugly OSB overnight bodges or non-functioning (new) windows. There is no excuse for them not to be able to convince you of their approach and materials.

If they can't convince you there won't be a problem then I'd bump it to more clement weather (and if you can, use another firm...).

Good luck!

Thanks, Mike, it wasnt so much about overnight bodges and half installed windows, it was really about whether the paint would dry or the surrounding render would go off successfully during super cold conditions. I will sit down with them and get some confidence. they are well renowned local joiners. I just wondered whether you cats might call out a well known showstopper

 

[brianos]

Agree with a twig above - my experience is window fitting is a rush job. They will cut out your existing windows first thing, your house will be bitter cold and then you hope they have everything they need to fit the new window. If not, you're stuck with some sort of bodge until the following day - or worse!
Wait until mid March if you possibly can. A window is only as good as the install. Have learned this lesson the hard way - TWICE!

Thanks Eric, we have an annexe (the giraffe enclosure) which we shall stay in whilst this is happening so the order of install doesnt really bother me. although we have some shiney new wood floors and furniture I wouldnt want getting soaked. my concern really related to whether the cement/paint would 'go off' properly.

 

[Cubist]

Hi Brian,

The reason I asked is that all buildings move to some greater or lesser extent dependent on the predominant materials of their construction and the seasons. As it's seldom a good idea from heat management and water penetration perspectives to replace windows and doors during the Autumn and Winter months most would suggest Spring as perhaps the most reasonable time to start such work. However, some timber frame owners might suggest a later, early Summer start to such work because that gives the frame the chance to relax a little after the internal heating systems have been turned off and the exterior has had a chance to shed some of the moisture it gained during Autumn and Winter.

In your case, with such massive walls, significant movement of the structure would be unlikely to be a problem. However, there is a consideration regarding the wooden frames you're considering as these may either expand or contract after installation, depending on how wet or dry they were when manufactured and shipped to site, and also the local conditions. Typically the installer would handle this risk by installing the frames with some room on the vertical sides and above the header leaving a gap that would then be closed with a potentially sacrificial fillet.

By the way, noting your comments regarding waiting for paint to dry, its a good idea to let new woodwork acclimatise to its environment before installation and painting.

Cheers,
Cubist

 

[ThornhillMike]

Thanks, Mike, it wasnt so much about overnight bodges and half installed windows, it was really about whether the paint would dry or the surrounding render would go off successfully during super cold conditions. I will sit down with them and get some confidence. they are well renowned local joiners. I just wondered whether you cats might call out a well known showstopper

Mine came pre-(spray) painted before fitting. I'd enquire if that's an option...

 

[brianos]

Good shout Mike. And blindingly obvious now I think about it!

 

[a twig]

If they do come pre-sprayed try and make sure you get the “left over” paint from the spray job in a tin for the inevitable touch ups

 

[aockenden]

On your question about expected materials, if they’re trying to cement your new wooden windows in, tell them to hit the road. The materials discussed for installing in direct contact with wooden windows should be soft, breathable materials like clay, lime, natural fibers, linseed sand mastic, etc. For the plastic windows it doesn’t really matter.