What is wrong with UPVC windows?

[FlashingRudolphNose]

Just out of interest - have seen a few posts saying how much they dislike UPVC windows and I'm interested to know why?

plastic windows on modern houses fine but I live in 2 stories of a detached approx 120 year old house. The ground floor has plastic windoes which look naff and do not match the house. Our part of the house has original wooden sashes which my DH has spent months lovingly repairing etc. - they look fab.

Plus UPVC windows like nappies are not biodegradable - one day when they go out of fashion there will be window mountains to match the fridge mountains

I might be going completely mad, but several years ago I had a conversation about this with a period house restoration expert type person and they were vehemently anti UPVC windows on old buildings, not for aesthetic reasons (although that was a factor!) but there was some structural reason - something like they make the house sweat and fall to pieces (that's the might be going mad bit)

Aren't they environmentally unfriendly as well, giving out CFC's in production? Plus they go yellowy after a while. Most ghastly though, are the ones that try to look like wood

I'm afraid, I am the style police on my road. Am the only remaining house with my original sashs. Freezing at night or not, I shall not be moved. (Well, except when have to sell up one day and realise I may lose £££££'s due to rotten windows)

No, you're not going mad sm. That Jeff bloke (Jeff?, Yeah, you know, Jeff) who advises about buildings says you should slash the felt in your roof as well to let the house breathe.

Spacedonkey is not completely insane.....

First of all it's like all woll carpets and a synthetic mix...we'd all like the first but the second is more practical and less effort. Wood double glazing can be bought but at a cost and with an element of maintenance.

Secondly on post war houses they don't normally have any problems.

If in an older house you seal every entry and exit in a prewar house then you MAY have problems. There is a calculation that architects and Structural engineers do about air changes per hour. Which will have effect on condensation and mould growth, and potentially health (esp asthma etc)

But Double glazing and adequet ventolation are fine together.

If you have on older house and double glazing then if you put in a 'positive flow ventilation system' - about £500 or have a regularily lit open fire it will sort all the problems out.

We had one in the last house and it cost the same as a lightbulb to run - it made SO much difference to condensation/mould/asthma

phew thanks tinker

I think they're fine on modern houses but UGH on old houses

Our last house was a mishmash - two owners before us had practically demolished the front, knocking out the sashes to make way for fake georgian windows (and a right bodge job it was!).

Thankfully they left the sash windows at the back - but thoughtfully painted over the pulleys and ropes so couldn't be opened - thanks!

Now in a lovely house with uPVC!

My house has original leaded lights at the front. They are beautiful with textured glass in a sunburst pattern. They are draughty, they're cold, the wood frames need painting but should I rip them out and replace them with characterless white plastic? Personally, I think not and I'd be gutted if someone else did it should we move on at some point.

I think you can get away with them on 1930's houses, depending on architechtural style. Not good on any earlier properties. I used to loathe them, but have mellowed and become pragmatic as I've got older. I prefer them to 1960's louvre windows, which my old flat in London had - horribly unsafe, draughty and worse than UPVC in a victorian flat. Yuk.

What I love best about sashes is pushing them up and hollerin' at my daughter when she's playing in the street. Feel like I'm in a film.

Our PVC windows are tilt and turn in the bottom half and I can open those and holler too. And shove the Christmas tree out.

Our house is incredibly leaky, even with plastic windows we do not have to worry about smothering it - when the wind is in the east (not often, luckily) we practically need to wear coats indoors and as the bathroom is on the eastern side we wait until the wind has changed to wash.