White wood grain foil or plain UPVC windows

[LoveGigi]

I'm a wooden window snob minus the budget to have them! We are replacing 1970s aluminium windows with Masterframe sliding sash windows which have all the details of an original sash, run through sash horns, deep bottom rail, mechanical joints etc. I now have to spec the finish, Masterframe do a white wood grain foil finish. I always thought a fake wood grain looked naff but apparently it is very very convincing and takes away the high shine of the plastic. A downside though is the grain may collect more dirt compared with a flat finish. Has anyone got this foil finish and if so what are your thoughts?

[dodgydonkeysdoodah]

No help I'm afraid.... I'd never heard of the company until I read your post and looked up their website - but they sound like the compromise I might be looking for. Do you mind me asking roughly how much per window?

[LoveGigi]

Dodgydonkey at the moment for 9 windows (6 of which make up 2 x large bays) it's around 9k. This is with the spec above in the "authentic" range with aged brass hardware. All windows are fairly large. I say "around" as it depends on the finish of white foil or plain. Give the company a call they are very helpful. My installer gets the windows direct from them as they are the trade arm of the company. They are also Bygone windows which seems even more "posh pvc" and that arm of the business has their own approved installers. I am going for full timber liners, wooden architrave and wooden windowsill. It would be cheaper if you wanted pvc interior trims.

[MissKittyCat]

I have got white wood grain windows (from a different company). I preferred them to smooth as they look less shiny. The grain does tend to collect dirt outside, mainly on the horizontal surfaces like the window sill, but cleans easily enough.

[LoveGigi]

MissKittyCat, thanks for your reply. Do they look convincing as painted wood?

[MissKittyCat]

I doubt many people would not realise they are plastic close up but I think they do look better than smooth and I thought it was worth the extra cost (20% extra). Not sure it is the same with all makes but the ones I have are not pure brilliant white which they would have been if they were the smooth. They are slightly off white but it is only really obvious if you hold something pure white against them.

[MrBennOfFestiveRoad]

We have cream/off-white wood grain windows that were installed by the previous owner. It is an old building and they actually look pretty good but we have one window where we can't access the outside to clean that is stained green with algae, not sure whether that would have happened with a smooth effect.

[MissKittyCat]

one window where we can't access the outside to clean that is stained green with algae, not sure whether that would have happened with a smooth effect.

My house also has a conservatory, which is smooth white, and that goes green if I don't give it a good scrub every now and then so your window may still have got algae if smooth.

[MrBennOfFestiveRoad]

I agree that it probably would have got algae anyway, it's annoying that they only put a top opening window there and we can't get to it from outside! I do really like the windows though and would recommend them - from outside, people assume that they're wood.

[LoveGigi]

So all pretty positive and leaning in favour of white wood grain. This company also colour match any RAL or Farrow and Ball colour. Too many choices!

[dodgydonkeysdoodah]

Oh wow! Colour matching too! I'm sold! Thank you so much for the tip.... I don't think they're too bad cost wise actually. You easily spend that for wooden sashes and then more.

[dodgydonkeysdoodah]

And, I find, the double glazing shop at the end of my road supplies them.... This must be fate!

[LoveGigi]

Good luck dodgydonkey!

[Figure17a]

But..... but...
.... but actual white painted wooden frames dont have wood grain? Theyre sanded smooth and painted shiny gloss

[LoveGigi]

I know I know, I agree! I had the same thought. In fact I've been bamboozled by some amazingly smooth and shiny windows recently, I was convinced the windows in question were UPVC, they were just amazingly well painted wooden windows. Real wooden windows are smooth. But I suppose there is a very ultra white and shiny look that UPVC has that perhaps having the wood grain foil helps take that away.