Sash Windows - to replace with D/G or not? - ALL opinions sought!

[Walnutshell]

Please help (before Safestyle come knocking)! Have moved into a house c1900 with 3 bedrooms plus living room having sash windows. They look OK really, but a tad neglected and the cords have been painted over by slightly careless DIYers... Really not sure whether it is "the thing" to replace them with D/G or leave the poor things be... in which case - any advice re renovating them somewhat?

Our main worry is security although that possibly comes from having lived in a big city but also most houses nearby have replaced with d/g.

Really appreciate some advice - thanks.

please don't get upvc, it is horrible and doesn't last. the salespeople are very pressuring and made my parents (no fools either) get windows they really didn't want.

i'd hire someone, it will certainly be cheaper than any replacement (apart from bits of glass and wood a la my house) and it is a specialist job.

oooh and the man who did our windows was LOVERLY

restoration - depends on state of windows - we were able to use the frame of one of the bedroom windows and just replace the glass with doubleglazed panes, that was cheaper than replacing all of it ( was about £500 iirc )
they do look bloody good

I know a good restoration bloke if you're in Beds/Herts but don't think that's the English Riviera is it?

no upv, please. take it away from the world.

we replaced all our windows with wooden sash double glazing. they are 'modernised' so that they do have security features. i think it does add value to the house for the future and just couldn't bear the thought of the pvc on these lovely big windows. we don't have a lot of money and are living in a real hole as we try and do it up bit by bit. other people in the area do have upvc but it is definitely going out of fashion, and most new windows are wooden even though it is not a conservation area.

we found a company who were not hugely more than a pvc company. they are in essex if you live round there, I can give you the number. I also looked on the net and there are companies who renovate sash windows too.

Nope, Feet. Shame, I'd love a recommendation. We are in Torquay.

Lol at your bragging Hana! Come round and tell me if ours look any good before I get A Bloke in!

Thinking now we will prob leave them but get some advice from restorers. Ah, a whole new can of whatthehellamIdoingIhaven'taclue worms to get into... Sigh.

Thanks MM, you have added fuel to my Renovate Debate!

Walnutshell, yes, I have used that company twice and they are excellent. If you call them they will give you an idea of the cost of restoration.

Oh please leave them. They add value to your house. And they are so much more ecologically friendly.

If you get D/G, you can get PVC sash windows or dummy sash windows. Personally, prefer the look of sash windows, but they can make a house very cold. Our house already had PVC sash windows when we bought it so no choice...

God no you'll ruin the house.

We replaced ours and they look fine.
There were big holes in the frame and it was so cold.

Plus we live on a main street so even if we'd done up the originals, I still wouldnt have felt safe with them.

Never Never Never
It can drastically devalue your house, both in money terms and style terms.
I would suggest to not go with a specialist firm to recondition them, but call a few small local carpenters and they will be much cheaper.

Thanks all. MrsD I may be in touch with them myself although TDWPrimark (LOL) I take your point about local carpenters - but where to find when new to an area? (Saying that, I think the nice man next door might be in the trade as it were)... I shall go and admire me old windows now.