Rattly, drafty sash windows... what to do? And who to do it?

[SilenzioBruno]

Recently moved into Edwardian house which still has some original sash windows and a very decrepit uPVC bay. Not a conservation area or anything. Original windows are rattly and drafty and in need of tlc, but not particularly decrepit. Had assumed we'd replace them all with uPVC sashes, and found the chap to do it. But...

After some research, the uPVC doesn't seem as cost effective as I expected compared to refurbishing the original windows. And it doesn't seem to be as much better for heating efficiency/insulation as I expected either.

So now I'm wondering if I should just refurbish, and hopefully install double glazing in, the original sashes instead. And then get a new wooden sash for the bay??!

Can anyone point me to any further reading about new uPVC compared to draft proofing and refurbishing the originals? Or speak from experience about whats most likely to lead to a warm house? And if refurbishing is the right option, any recommendations for someone around Hampshire to do the job?

I have great secondary glazing - all bars align - it is sliding sash but tilts in to clean both sides. Completely sound and draught proofs whilst retaining the authentic original wooden frames so the external appearance is unaffected. Dont understand why other people dont do this as even hand made dont look the same unless you are paying a fortune per window and single glaze with historic glass!

Get secondary glazing it’s brilliant much better than double glazing

Thanks for the tips.

@chimneyextractor, how does it look from the inside, to you every day? How did the cost compare with other options?

@mayblossominapril is it better just in terms of the looks? Or in terms of warmth?

Any suggestions on companies that do this?

Under £300 per large sash window for sliding ones that tilt in to clean. Looks fine to me from inside as curtains/pelmets cover the edges - may be different if you dont have curtains. Mine replaced dreadful secondary glazing that was so heavy i could hardly open it so I have never been used to seeing my windows without secondary. Of course it would be nicer without but not an option here as I have to be warm and would never replace original windows.

Thanks for getting back to me. I totally understand about the need to be warm!

One more question if I may, do you still get condensation on the original panes that you need to reach in to mop up? Or does the secondary pane do enough to mitigate the temperature difference and reduce the condensation?

I recently had my sashes refurbished
New cords, and draught excluder fitted. All out back beautifully aligned and running smoothly
It's made a huge difference

£300 per window

Ooh, thanks Poohaloo. I was hoping it might be doable for a few hundred per window and you say it was recent so that's encouraging. Does it feel much warmer just from the refurbishment? Were you tempted to put in additional glazing too?