Overhaul sash windows or replace?

[SunflowerFieldsForever]

I have double glazed sash windows that are 10-15 years old, inherited from previous owner. They are not blocking the noise enough from outside (busy road) and draught proofing strips have been destroyed by paint. Some are stuck, but not all.

If I want to achieve higher noise reduction - is it enough to repair the strips and generally overhaul? Or would I have to go for new sashes?

It's a conservation area.

Any sash window experts here?

I don't understand the options at all and it's super difficult to get someone to come and advise or quote.

It is very difficult to find a sash window restorer, may be cheaper and less stress to replace.

We replaced ours and the difference in heat retention and noise reduction has been incredible. There is the option of new wooden framed double glazed sash windows - I believe the noise reduction isn't quite as good. We went for the UPVC frames with a wood effect on them, and from the street you can't really tell the difference, up close you can.

We used a company called WindowSkins. It's secondary glazing which fits onto magnetic strips around the existing windows. Very good for noise and insulation. Very unobtrusive, you really don't notice them at all. Much cheaper and easier than replacing the windows. We used them about 10 years ago but looks like they are still going.

we replaced. All in: wooden double glazed hardwood sashes. Kept the outside frames - they look amazing and just like the originals, but SO quiet now and hopefully warmer in winter! the price differential wasn't that much more with hardwood vs higher end upvc and I just can't replace original features with plastic.

If you were talking about single glazed Victorian sashes I would say replace (we did a mixture of refurb and replace and regret not replacing all).

But yours are only 10-15 years old and are already double glazed. I’m not sure why replacements would be any better? So in your case it seems more a question of unsticking the paint and sorting the strips (brushes may work better). I’d say refurb. New wooden sashes are ££££

Thank you so much for this. My friend is looking for secondary glazing as she got a quote for £1400 for one teeny tiny window. I suggested secondary glazing but didn't know who would do it, this company/solution looks perfect.

there are loads of companies that do sash window restoration, Ventrolla are an example but they are quite £££. I did this to my wooden sash windows in a grade 11 listed house. Some were replaced but some were refurbished, they replace the draught excluders and straighten them up etc to make them work better. As a pp said yours are already double glazed so not sure what difference new windows would make. They are really expensive now for new windows.