Windows, period appropriate or not?

[Cherryburn]

We live in an 1890s mid terrace, and the upvc windows are blown and need replacing. The question is... what with? I'm fairly sure these windows will have been put in during "renovations" in the 80s (themselves the cause of most of our problems). Originally I think these would have been box sash windows, it makes sense with the tall openings (roughly 1160 x 2040) and I've seen evidence that they might have actually bricked up the reveals on the inside to make them flush. None remain in the neighborhood though, most everyone has similar upvc casements with various distributions of the sashes, though equal top and bottom is most common. A couple of people have enormous Scottish/European style tilt and turn windows.

I've never been fond of these windows, they're hard to reach, the panes are still fairly large and heavy which the hinges seem to struggle with and can't maintain a good seal, and I find the plastic quite ugly to be honest. But thinking about it, I'm really not sure how much we can change them. The house fronts directly onto a pedestrianised street, which rules out any side opening windows as they'd stick out into the path (and let people just hop in if the windows were open). At least going to equal sashes would make them easier to reach. As I see it we have three options.

A) Timber casements, top opening, equal top and bottom. Easy, gets the job done, probably still looks nicer than anything anyone else has.
B) Timber or upvc sash windows with a spiral balance, could fit in the opening as it is but have to deal with ongoing maintenance.
C) New box sashes with weights. Would have to hack out the reveals, probably install a new lintel inside, fit the windows and make good. Realistically, too much time, disruption and cost. But would probably last another 100 years.

What would you do?

 

[ThornhillMike]

Hi Cherryburn. I'm in a house 50 years older and agree with you about these 'modern' renovations looking out of character.

What to replace them with really comes down to budget. If you can afford it I'd go with hardwood box sashes. Iroko is cheaper than Accoya and box weights look much better than spiral balances (whatever companies may say to you). Good firms will prepare the whole section for you, i.e. sash box frames plus the windows themselves, so they can fit them to whatever window opening remains practical.

Fit some good quality internal ironmongery, some sash locks (essentially a screwed bar that means you can 'lock' the windows partially open) and they'll look great and will be practical. Given you have got UPVC already, you can also have double glazed panes fitted in the sashes.

As I say, all depends on what you want to spend.

Good luck!

 

[Gothichome]

Yes, the great plastic window scam, they probably replaced good wood windows that had lasted 100 years and just needed paint. Not only are they ugly in my view but the glazing lacks the aesthetics of wavy glass. Depending on your purse , I would consider replacing with good quality wood sashes, give them some loving every 15 years or so and they will last 100 years. At the least they will look proper for the age of your home.

 

[Cubist]

My vote would, and will, always go to the wooden box sash but,,, don't tell my nieces husband, he owns a number of plastic frame outlets around the Midlands and he's already unhappy with me because I keep saying most of his sales must come from criminals who want doors that can resist the coppers Big Red Key.

 

[Stevers]

For UPVC windows in particular, I'd add strange ways of opening, heavy (thick) frames with ugly rebates and metalwork and 'Georgian' internal glazing bars. UPVC is bad for the environment too. In general, double and triple glazed units with that 'sucked in' look that fail prematurely.

The bungalow next to us is now on its (complete) second set of replacement windows, as was my parent's house. So much expensive ugliness - with a limited lifespan and reduced glazing area!

 

[Xeynon]

I have timber windows (sash for the larger). I'm getting one replaced this month. It is a lot more expensive these days to get timber than equivalent plastic. I'm doing it because I can't stand the plastic ones either but it's an indulgence, especially for a cheaper property like mine.

 

[CliffordPope]

Yes, the great plastic window scam, they probably replaced good wood windows that had lasted 100 years and just needed paint. Not only are they ugly in my view but the glazing lacks the aesthetics of wavy glass. Depending on your purse , I would consider replacing with good quality wood sashes, give them some loving every 15 years or so and they will last 100 years. At the least they will look proper for the age of your home.

Just remember that the next owners will probably rip them all out and install whatever is the latest fashion scam.

 

[Gothichome]

that’s were the serious haunting clause comes in to play in the sales contract. If you replace the original wood sashes I worked hard to restore with plastic, I get to haunt you for ever. Come to think of it, I would throw in painting over the woodwork I worked hard to strip and restore, I get to haunt you as well.

 

[Cubist]

that’s were the serious haunting clause comes in to play in the sales contract. If you replace the original wood sashes I worked hard to restore with plastic, I get to haunt you for ever. Come to think of it, I would throw in painting over the woodwork I worked hard to strip and restore, I get to haunt you as well.

In my case theres a clause in my Will demanding a Covenant be included in any sale of this old place that expresses exactly what I require from any future new owners for on-going care and maintenance of this place and stipulating the penalties for any compliance failures found during the nightly and noisy inspections I will spectrally conduct.