Listed Houses Owners Help Wanted - Double Glazing ...

[Escapetothecatshome]

I live in a grade 2 listed house, I've lived in it for just over a year, its not my first listed house so I have some experience in getting consent / planning etc.
The house currently has wooden windows all of which are in a terrible condition and most are beyond repair, the previous owners didn't do any maintenance sadly and I'm currently waiting for the listed building consent to comeback for repointing. The house is in a very rundown state. Most windows are heavily rotted, cracks in the glass, painted shut and do not open. I've had joiners round and the general consensus is they are to far gone.
Now none of the windows are original the house was derelict for 10 years boarded up, and was completely gutted in the 60's and 70's where everything inside was burned.

Now I only wish to replace the windows for like for like, beautiful handmade wooden windows that would look identical to ones I currently have in style and appearance, just thicker glass so they would be double glazed. I live on a very busy road. I have spoken to the conservation officer who said I could replace like for like (single glazed) but didn't think I'd get permission for double glazing.

My question is to all listed owners, have any of you had any luck in getting double glazing / replacing windows, any suggestions and advice would be most welcomed xx

I just bought a listed building and have had quotes for new windows. It's grade 2. I imagine it's down to the specific council but you can get a slimline double glazing for heritage properties and they are allowed in my area

Btw, I had 4 quotes and can recommend someone in West Yorkshire.

Oh could I have more info on the slimline double glazing?? I’m currently putting in for planning and my understanding was not a chance for double glazing but i might as well put in a suggestion!

No.

Battled for years, but a point blank refusal.

Masses of glazing, so real heat issues, but no flexibility at all.

Sold in the end and will never again buy a listed property.

@Movingonup22 I don't actually know that much about it... it's 4m thick pane with a 4ml gap and then a 4m pane I believe. I haven't 100% decided to do it as it's quite a bit more expensive and im unsure of the reliability but it is allowed in my area. Have a google heritage double glazing.

We had permission to fit slimline single glazed panels into the original wooden frames. They are only slightly thicker than single glazed glass. To be honest the draft proofing and thick curtains made a huge difference so not sure how much the double glazed panels actually did.

@Movingonup22 have you looked at secondary glazing or the magnetic Perspex stuff??

@isthisit83

Btw, I had 4 quotes and can recommend someone in West Yorkshire.

Would love a recommendation please I am also in West Yorkshire & grade 2

@takemetolalaland Bradford Woodworkers are who we are planning to use for new doors and windows. They've done work for friends and loads in our area generally. Very competitive quote as well. Good quality craftsmanship. Was very surprised by range of quotes! For example our front door - quotes ranging from £1500-£5000!!! www.bradford-woodworkers.co.uk

@Moorscalling
Thats must have been really frustrating, I'm finding they would rather a house fall down from neglect rather than let you make positive changes which add longevity to the building, and double glazing does make a huge difference. I
I'm really wanting to push for double glazing as a long term solution, single glazing is not future proofing to me, especially with all the governments rhetoric on energy saving and insulations etc.. especially considering the cost of heating at the moment.
I know its negative but I can't be bothered with secondary glazing especially if you like to open your windows in the morning etc, its a bit of a handicap especially if you have massive windows.

@Escapetothecatshome have you looked at the perspex stuff? I'm researching it at the moment. Looks interesting. Don't think it would impact opening windows

@isthisit83
I'll have a good look, my main problem though is my next door neighbours burn a lot of coal - you wouldn't believe the fumes with seep through the windows as their so drafty. I really want the seal a double glazed window would give.

It would be a straight no in Cheltenham - so frustrating

@mamaoffourdc
Its so strange the difference in other areas, a couple of miles down the road from me, in a very posh village which is still under the same council, but most of the houses are listed and all have new double glazed windows. You can't help think its discrimination, it doesn't make sense to me.

That is insane in our quest for going carbon neutral
Luckily not listed but about to replace all the windows in a Victorian farmhouse , we replaced most of them with like for like wooden sash but with double glazing , about 20 years ago but most need replacing again
Actually thinking of going for pvc this time as don't think will have money or energy to do this again in 20 years time
Point was having looked at pvc, you can get really lovely looking windows , albeit at a price . So if they can do that with pvc, the slimline double glazing wooden windows ought to be fine for a listed property. Is there no Lee way to make a fuss on environmental grounds ?

[quote isthisit83]@takemetolalaland Bradford Woodworkers are who we are planning to use for new doors and windows. They've done work for friends and loads in our area generally. Very competitive quote as well. Good quality craftsmanship. Was very surprised by range of quotes! For example our front door - quotes ranging from £1500-£5000!!! www.bradford-woodworkers.co.uk[/quote]
Brilliant thank you!

I've been restoring the windows in my listed building and adding draft proofing and DIY secondary double glazing as I go. Big job but the difference in warmth is amazing and no more condensation. I didn't tell the conservation officer about the secondary double glazing as you can't see it from the outside and i could remove it easily (held on by magnetic steps).
My windows don't sound as bad despite being 165 years old though.
You could get replacement single glazed and then add secondary double glazing
Mine costs £70 to£100 per window depending on size.

@Lolabalola
Thats one of points I'm going to mention along with noise reduction (I'm on quite a busy road), but the form fill out is huge and you also have to include a heritage statement plus you have to make 4 copies of the whole thing including photos and drawings of every window - which isn't exactly environmentally friendly either.
It just seems so ridiculous If I don't get anywhere I'm writing to boris !

There are a lot of companies doing listed building standard double glazing. It's also worth joining and discussing with the advisor at the Listed Property Owners Club for advice if your conservation advisor is being negative.

However I'd also agree from personal experience that just having crap wooden single glazed windows refurbished makes a massive difference.

This will totally depend on the conservation officer.
I live in Test Valley, they are absolutely against even the newest timber framed, super low profile double glazing in a listed building. I had to replace my cottage windows with single glazed windows and buy more secondary glazing. The inside of my windows are always soaking in the morning when it’s cold.
I think it’s really short sighted of the council, it doesn’t look very good and it’s a maintenance nightmare.
My friend across the border in Berkshire was able to use beautiful double glazed timber windows in her listed rectory. They look great, work really well. Conservation officer there was fine with it.
Good luck.

@Wbeezer where did you get the secondary magnetic glazing? Is it the Perspex stuff?

Yes, i modified the design to fit my windows and did a wooden trim (also magnetic) to cover the edges.
There are lots of places to order the perspex, i cant remember the exact website, I'll have to look it up.
I've got too many bookmarks and old emails, can't find it right now! But it was something obvious like secondary double glazing. Com! You can find local places to cut perspex and the magnetic strips are available on line. I watched videos on YouTube for research.

Secondary glazing gives better sound and thermal properties due to the increased gap between the glass and it you get a good one it will slide up and down very easily and panes tilt in at 90 degrees to clean between the layers. Bars align with outer so it cant be seen. Much better option as you keep the delicate look of the single glazed outer bars.

Have you looked at filling any drafts bits at the window in with Oakym as a temp fix?

I have sashes with 9 panes in each sash, replica double glazed units upwards of £2000 EACH! Less than a hundred to make my secondary double glazing but there are firms who make listed building compliant Secondary glazing too.