replacement windows

[silverfrog]

another thread from me - sorry!

we need to replace some (well all, but will be done a couple at a time) windows.

house currently has old wood framed single glazed windows. the windows are big - each pane is over 1m in height, and about 50cm wide. each window has 3 or 4 panes.

apparently the wood frames (the bits round the edge, rather than the bits right by the iwndows) are ok and sound, but are in some disrepair (no maitenance done on this house for at least 20 years) and so reparations (stripping down, some filling in and then wetherproofing/painting would be required)

so, is it better to go for glazing units, and have them fitted in original frames, plus work doen on rames, or to get entirely new glazing and frames?

we have 3 windows that really need doing right now, and are hoping to be able to do another couple too, which would mean the whole front of the house done (looks forward to massive reduction in heating bills...), but trying to weigh up the stripping down/repair/re-painting faff vs take the whole lot out and replace with new. obviously cost has a bearing too.

wwyd?

[Sausagedog27]

If the wood is sound you would be crazy to replace- modern wood is not as durable as old wood (I appreciate I am assuming that the windows are old here).

But, if the glass is that big the existing wooden frames might not be able to take the weight of double glazed units.

If its money saving/efficiency you are after you need to think carefully about the work- you are unlikely to see a like for lime cost return if you replace the windows for years.

Could you secondary glaze? Draft proofing windows is v cheap as well and can make a massive difference. Thick heavy curtains also help.

Good luck!

[architectming]

You do have a dilemma here. While I imagined the original windows will be a fantastic feature of the house, with such big openings, it must cost you a bomb just on the heating bill.

Changing them to modern windows will help you a lot with double glazing and the latest glass technology, but obviously will lose some of the feature of the house. I always ask my clients how long are they planning to live in the property, if the answer is around 10 years, then it is properly worth investing in new windows, anything less, I will say just do the bare minimum and just put up with it before they sell the property.

Good Luck!

[MinimalistMommi]

Secondary glazing? But I guess that would not help the original windows which are going into disrepair. We're just about to have secondary glazing fitted as we did not want to remove original features from the house and therefore possibly de-valuing it. The main reason we are having it fitted is for for reducing the sound of cars passing but we cannot wait to be warm and cosy as a benefit. Old windows are so draughty! Our windows are huge sash windows and I wouldn't have felt comfortable ripping them out.