Windows, help!

[bluebeach]

I’m annoying myself with not being able to make this decision.
Would you choose…
A. More attractive in my opinion from the exterior (would be timber effect). Double glazed only (can’t triple glaze with this style). About 1k more expensive than B.
Or…
B. Less appealing from outside but better view looking out. Will be triple glazed so warmer. 1k cheaper than B

I'd look at it from a £ perspective...

Triple glazing will help with hearing costs in winter which is really relevant right now...But would also consider if you're planning to live long term or sell on at some point. If the latter, the triple glazing might help as a selling point.

Would also consider noise pollution. Important if you live somewhere with outside noise (eg traffic) or a location where outdoor noise could potentially increase in the medium to long term.

Aesthetically, I prefer the A though.

Really depends what's more important to you... aesthetics or practicality? A does look much nicer imo...but I suppose B is the more sensible choice?

Why can't B look the same as A??
Not with the fake horizontal glazing bar, but with 2 opening windows in each (assuming) 6 foot wide window? (1 at ffloor and 2 at gfloor)
Either way the doors on A are nicer than B take a look at Rockdoor and Solidor for options

I'd add a few more openings in B - three panes across the wider windows - the smaller ones look fine.

B. They don't look as pretty but cost and efficiency is worth the loss in aesthetics.

Thanks so much for the responses. Yes I could take out the horizontal bar as that is the only thing inhibiting A from being triple glazed. I think without the horizontal bar though the windows don’t look cottagy any more and maybe a bit prison bar-ish so then think I might as well opt for the good unrestricted view (of my messy garden) of option B.

My partner is very much in favour of option B triple glazing. It’s quite hard to argue in favour of the more expensive less warm option just because I think it looks nicer.

Or do you mean like this? Option D. Option C can be the one above
I know I’m over thinking this, my real life friends have got bored of me

A definitely. B looks hideous and will devalue your home. You don't need triple glazing. Modern double glazing is extremely effective.

We had the little square windows - all the houses in our close did. Our neighbours were the first to replace with plain and we did the same last year. It lets in so much more light, has made a huge difference and I wish we'd done it years earlier.

I would choose what you like aesthetically over practicality for something like that. And it’s not like upvc DG is impractical anyway. Triple glazing seems an extreme - although maybe it’s becoming more popular now!

If you want to sell your house A

How old is the property?

To be honest, B looks awful. Do you have the data on how much extra triple glazing gets in terms of heat retention? I'm sure they could use applied glazing bars on them too.

So the U-value on the triple glazed is 1, on the double glazed it’s 1.4 it’s not a huge amount but we have fitted an air source heat pump so trying to insulate as much as possible.
Not planning on selling the house. Currently our house is the ugliest on the street so I would love it to look a bit nicer.

With energy prices going up I'd definately go for B option.

I hate windows like B, they are too big to leave open

A all the way I'm afraid .
We had ugly but efficient windows for years. Replaced them two years ago with what they would have originally been like Every day I think why didn't we do this years ago .

Op I would definitely go for option C or D if you can have them triple glazed. Don't get too hung up on having them look very cottage-y.

Option D so you can leave bedroom windows open at night without worrying about security. I have type A but will definitely choose type D when its time to replace them.

B is hideous so I'd discount it on that basis.

I think I prefer C with D a close second.

Hate Option D with a passion - would go option C

A - looks much nicer.

Thanks very much everyone. I don’t feel any closer to making a decision, very different responses from everyone!

House is 1930’s so original windows would have been smaller frames originally, but it isn’t an old cottage. I live on a street with lots of old beautiful cottages, but mine is an ex council house and although I love it, it’s def the tattiest one. Very good points made about security and have top openers.
Our main priority is to make the house warmer however like someone said new double glazing is pretty good. Ahhhhh, I’ll have to make the decision v soon. Thanks again!

I think A looks nicer, but I wouldn’t necessarily trust my opinion as I live in a big old draughty house with multiple single glazed bay windows. It’s freezing.

I’ve heard that air source heat pumps aren’t that good at actually heating (as opposed to stopping somewhere being cold) so preventing heat loss could be a priority.

But A looks so much nicer.

Don't force a cottage-y look on it if it isn't a cottage. In a street with lots of cottages it will always look like it's pretending!

1930s builds are really lovely though so focus on making the most of the style it has - take a look on rightmove and Pinterest and Instagram for lots of examples. You have the whole art deco and art nouveau periods open to you for example.

There are ways to disguise brickwork too if you feel they're not the prettiest colour.

If you really work with the 1930s aspect you can have a beautiful and unique house.