Do sash windows add value?

[HarrietM87]

We’ve got a Victorian terrace with bays front and back at ground and first floor (so 4 of them, plus several other windows). It has old aluminium windows that need to be replaced at some point. I’m torn between wood sashes and fake ones (which do look convincing). The price difference is huge - wood ones will be c.£30k+ for the house (though we may start with just the front which is £11k).

Anyone have any views on which to choose and if I’d be likely to get my money back in increased house value? (Not planning to move any time soon but hoping to have more equity when we remortgage).

I don't think it'll increase the value by £30k, however there is more value in period properties with period features. I have viewed a lot of Victorian terraces and would replace imitation sashes as I think they're naff but it wouldn't occur to me to take the windows specifically into account when offering. If there are other period features such as fire places, tiled hallway then sashes are in keeping and it will probably be worth more than the equivalent house without period features - around here to the tune of 10%. If it's fully modernised I wouldn't bother and just get standard double glazing.

In some areas they can add value as people can be snobby about Windows. I’ve got wood casement on the front of mine and plastic on the back and I’m in a conversation area in a Georgian agricultural cottage. Most houses are like this in my area.
Are they easy to paint or come with a guaranteed for 10 year factory finish?

We’re end of terrace on a corner so you can see all the windows in the house from the street, so I think I’d better have them matching (whatever I choose).

The period features had all been stripped out when we moved in but we’ve reinstated the cornicing and coving and one of the fireplaces downstairs. I think the real deal would be much better but it’s just so much money! Good to know it wouldn’t add anything near that much value.

We've got pvc sash, having bought a house with blown and draughty aluminium. Cost us about 10k for bay, and three big bedroom windows. Not what we would have chosen had money been no object, and I do occasionally look in envy at next door, which is the only house on the street with proper wood sash.

But..
Secure.
Tilt and turn for easy cleaning.
Cut down sound from street majorly.
Minimal maintenance
Look okay

I imagine by the time we come to sell the house, fashion and technology will have moved on, but I don't think anyone would think they're massively offensive

OP our house sounds similar, but mid-terrace conservation area. All victorian features had been stripped out and the windows were awful 70s mahogany framed things.

Replaced with upvc sash with a foiled wood grain finish. Worth every penny! There is no noise from the busy street, they are easy to clean and maintain. Real wood obviously looks lovely initially but the upvc will definitely outlast them.

My parents have wooden sash on all their windows and the upkeep is massive. They are also draughty and noisy.

PM me if you want the details of the brand we got.

I just made my own sliding sash windows and fitted them in to the properties I have owned. A lot better than the cheap window replacements that had been put in. The sash boxes were still there along with the weights. Maybe a little bit of investigation?

We definitely don’t have the frames...they are long gone!

The wooden ones we’d been getting are double glazed and have some kind of guarantee so only need painting every 10 years, so I think they’d be much more robust than original sash windows, and not draughty.

LittleWing those look fantastic! I don’t think I could tell the difference.

We did similar to @littlewing we really couldn't afford word sash but wanted the look as we lived in a row of Victorian terraces and the majority of houses had sash. I don't think it made a difference when we came to sell, wood may have been a feature but it wouldn't have added £30k value to our house

We have wood sash windows in a listed cottage. They swell in the rain and can’t be opened, they’re very draughty and rattle in the wind, they need painting every three years.
I’d choose convenience over character next time and have a modern house with pvc windows.

Hovverry are they original single glazed ones though or new double glazed wood sashes?

I’m confused because I read up on it earlier and apparently you need to replace UPVC after 20 years whereas if you maintain the wood ones they last a lifetime. This could well be our forever home so I’m wondering if the wood ones might be a better investment. £30k is