Restore or replace sash windows?

[Cordillera]

Bay window in the main room of our late Victorian terrace. The cables broke and was aiming for a service and draught proofing. However, perhaps unsurprisingly, parts of the exterior are unsound.

Have had two v reputable companies quote, one £4900 replace the lot with double glazed wooden sashes, said they could do some repairs instead but that would be "a stopgap measure". Other quote to restore - happily so- inc replacing a couple of pieces, that's £2000.

We don't have the money but could if necessary. My question is, what best to do long term? I worry about how we'll need double glazing one day for energy cert (tho not planning to move, maybe ever). But I also would like to keep the original windows as keen on keeping what there is, and also environmentally would rather restore than replace generally.

We have v thick curtains plus thermal curtains so not cold at night, but yes I know windows lose a lot of heat.

Also, bedroom bay has had no attention so if we're to spend £5k some should go on that. Def can't do more than £5k total any time soon.

We just got a replacement one from a firm called Colin’s Sash Windows (we are not doing ours all at once but were having work done) which is much cheaper, because you have to measure yourself and get it fitted locally. Might be a way of getting more of yours done within the £ you have.

Thanks for that recommendation. Did you get uprights/sill replaced as well?

I wouldn't worry about double glazing being a requirement. UNless you plan to let the property it won't be a requirement and people buying old houses understand they won't score as highly.

My DH has spent a lot of time restoring our sash Windows. He replaced all the cords, fitted brushes for insulation and has repaired woodwork. It has made a big difference to warmth and drafts, so I think restoration work can solve the problems.

Restore is better for the house in terms of asthetics. If its still cold i would get some good secondary glazing as i think this can be better than double glazing and keep the thick curtains.

We replaced at the rear and restored at the front (new insulation, cords, etc). We did this as the rear ones were in worse nick and didn’t have stained glass etc, like you I like the look of the old ones. However I now wish we’d replaced them all as the temperature difference is huge!!

We have Georgian sashes and a lot of the glass is original and we had them refurbished 20 years ago.

They used hardwood (presumably a really good quality), so we had the dodgy bits patched and then had new cords and draughty-proofing. We probably paint them every 8-10 years. The bottom section of 1 was replaced because it would have been all patch, but the rest were deemed ok.

We make do with secondary glazing, held in place by magnetic strips.

The local listed art gallery somehow managed to persuade the planners to let them swap their glass to double glaze, so I always have a good look at their windows to see how they are faring.

This is helping me decide as my first reaction was happy to hear people say restore

You're right about secondary glazing, esp as the side sashes are fixed.

I'm about to have ours replaced but in my Previous house we restored..... restoration was ok in terms of draft proofing and aesthetics but it didn't bring our bills down. Going to replace ours now with new wooden double glazed sashes made to exactly the same measurements (keeping the same boxes) - I went and looked at some of the work the guys had done and they looked just like the originals. It's costing us about £800 a window to replace (but unfortunately we have lots of windows!! 😭)

And I've never seen secondary glazing that wasn't ugly as anything IMHO.

Restore but ask around, local joiners will often do the repairs for far less than the bigger outfits (have renovated over 50 sash windows in my time...)

We replaced all of ours. We used a joinery company who specialise in sash window repair and replacement. Ours were too damaged to be repaired. The double glazing has made a huge difference

I had a quote recently to restore 3 sash windows - one of them a bay - and the company quoted £16,000. Yes. You read that right. For restoring 3 windows.

So that'll be a no then.

Wow that is ££££.

Still not sure. I could get another quotation for the restoration work. I did like and trust the chap who came.

But then there's those of you saying double glazing made a huge difference. We are in the South East tho and half the year don't need it to be warmer.

We restored ours 11 years ago for £6k. It's more draughty - they were all nailed shut before - but we're in a conservation area so no choice but to repair or replace.

Replacing - not an option - plus they didn't need it, and they're still going strong.

Can't see them needing much if any work for the next 10 years either.

PS there were 11 panes, up and down.

We live in a Grade 2 listed house. The bedroom windows are original and single glazed. We had them repaired and refurbished about 15 years ago and they are still going strong. In the bedroom we have the old fashioned school radiators which give out a huge amount of heat, so we don't notice draughts from the windows. In the kitchen, 3 bedrooms and a living room we have replaced 1960's windows with double glazed sash windows. Apart from being warmer the biggest thing I have noticed is how much quieter those rooms are now.

We used a company called Ventrolla, they are nationwide. They refurbished all our sash windows and they put a beading system between and all-around the sashes to stop draughts. They made them all slide properly again and replaced some cracked glass. They also replaced 3 sashes with new double glazed timber sashes. I was really pleased our windows were a real mess before and we couldn't afford to replace them all (12 in total).
I'm afraid I can't remember how much it cost, and we sold the house in the summer, but it wasn't too bad.

Very mixed reviews about Ventrolla.

We have a flat in a conservation area in London and it’s Victorian. The builder replaced all the sash windows with look alike double glazed ones. It’s warm, efficient and quiet. I certainly prefer these windows and there is never ever any condensation! Your quote for replacement sounds high though.

There’s a huge difference in quality of life with properly fitted double glazed sash windows. I know because I grew up in a Victorian house with single glazed original windows and we froze. In the morning the condensation was frozen on the inside of the windows. You are wasting heat and energy with old single glazed poorly fitting windows. Never mind it being draughty. It’s replacement every time for me. I never want to be that cold again.

@BlenheimOrange

We just got a replacement one from a firm called Colin’s Sash Windows (we are not doing ours all at once but were having work done) which is much cheaper, because you have to measure yourself and get it fitted locally. Might be a way of getting more of yours done within the £ you have.

I'm looking at these for Crital type doors and also sash. How did you find the process? Are you happy with the quality of the window.

TIA

The quality seems good and the process was straightforward - I phoned for help because the window opening was a bit wonky and it was Colin himself who answered so I think it’s a small outfit. They were recommended by our builders.

It isn’t a perfect replica as the ‘meeting rail’ is too wide compared to timber, but it will do fine for the first floor and is otherwise correct (both sashes actually slide, the sash horns are integral not glued on, the joints are right).

@BlenheimOrange

The quality seems good and the process was straightforward - I phoned for help because the window opening was a bit wonky and it was Colin himself who answered so I think it’s a small outfit. They were recommended by our builders.

It isn’t a perfect replica as the ‘meeting rail’ is too wide compared to timber, but it will do fine for the first floor and is otherwise correct (both sashes actually slide, the sash horns are integral not glued on, the joints are right).

Thanks very much, they look fab in the website so glad you got on ok 👍🏻