Renovating metal windows

[DaisyBD]

We have Crittal metal frames in many of the windows of our house (1850s villa). They are absolutely awful - warped and twisted and barely closeable, with massive gaps. Does anyone know if it's possible to renovate them or do we have to bite the bullet and replace them? It's not a listed building but it's in a conservation area in south west london - will we need permission?

Also would secondary glazing be totally vile or is that a good compromise? I suppose it would keep the worst of the draughts out.

Thanks in advance

We had Crittal in our 1930s house, I think once they get to that state you are better off replacing. As it is a Victorian building and Crittal aren't really in keeping for that period, the conservation officer will probably wave through a design for something a bit more suitable and double-glazed. I'm in Wandsworth and have found the planning dept really helpful if you want to go round and have an informal chat. I've also dealt with Lambeth and had good experiences, if that helps.

Secondary glazing would be relatively cheap and effective and cause much less disruption.

Crittall steel windows can be restored, and if necessary bent back to shape, re-galvanised, new parts fitted, repainted and reglazed like new, but as yours will not be original to the building I doubt it would be worthwhile.

Thank you both very much. I think I'll give the local planning officer a call then - and maybe look into the costs of secondary double glazing while we try to budget for the cost of lovely new sash windows to replace the horrid metal ones.

Why are Crittall windows so expensive?

Sorry to jump onto your thread, Daisy but I've just received a quote a few moments ago for 4 replacement windows. Each Crittall window - plus labour to replace - would cost £3,360! The first time I read it, I thought it surely must say £360 - but no - each window is over £3,000 for a piece of glass and metal!

They've quoted for a look-alike Aluminium alternative at £1,900 per window and then UPVC at £855 per window.

I'm reeling and wondering if we should just go for the UPVC option, even though I hear a lot about UPVC that isn't good - but not too many years ago, I could buy a replacement house for the price of 4 Crittall windows.

Has anyone got any advice/ shared experience please?

We also have crittal in a listed building. Agree they are a pain, most don't close properly and have condensation inside the panes. We have jusr ordered a replacement for the bathroom (2panes plus metal surrounding frames) think its going to cost about£1200. I asked if hey would be better than the old windows and he responded wth "your new units will have a u value of 2.0 ,your old units would of been 3.4 approx so will improve heat loss sound will be a little better."
The compnay is A and D glass and I think theyre in Chipping Norton (Oxfordshire) HTH

OK. So I've just scoured the web for info. comparing UPVC with aluminium and Crittell windows. Would this be a good summary?

UPVC, look awful but make your house cosier and warmer and are easy to maintain. Don't last long though.

Aluminium, look good but are less energy efficient and harder to maintain. Last longer. Cost about x3 price of UPVC

Crittell, look great but are less energy efficient than UPVC. Cost x4 price of UPVC

So basically UPVC is really not good to look at but is a lot cheaper and does a better job of keeping a house warm???

If Daisy lives in a conservation area, the authority will probably specify wooden frames.

Blog we have just replaced the (gorgeous but wrecked) Crittals in some of our rooms with aluminium, and as I understood it they are not too different from UPVC in the efficiancy stakes (but much more expensive...). All in, they came to about 3/5th of the price we had been quoted for double glazed Crittals.

Remember to factor in the extra replacement cost (both monetary and environmental) of UPVCs too- they will need replacing much sooner.
Some of our original steel windows are still in perfectly good shape, and they are 80 years old.
The aluminiums look very similar to the double glazed Crittals- not quite perfect, but a lot lot closer than UPVC! The smaller the window pane the more the difference shows.

I like looking out of my windows- the appearance is important to me! And I feel like a vandal for moving into a flat with lovley Crittals and immediately ripping them out...

CAN Crittal windows be repaired, if they're NOT warped and bent - but simply a bit rusty and mouldy? Considering the potential costs of replacemtn with anything at all, I'm now wondering if this is a viable alternative and if anyone else has done this successfully?

Do you mean painting?

They were galvanised when new, this might have been lost by exposure if not painted, or by scraping. You probably need to strip the paint off, treat with a metal-preservative primer, undercoat and gloss. You could get a better job by taking the glass out.

I have seen traces of rubber draught strip on some old windows so if there is a groove you could fit a modern silicone rubber strip.

Do it in summer.

I am about to thoroughly rub down my Crittall Windows and repaint. I did a friend's once and it was fine- they looked great. I am just looking into getting secondary glazing fitted.