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Original poster

OK PVC windows vs wood

36 replies

Katymac · 27/10/2006 16:19

I have had a quote for ultra expensive eco wooden windows - which are lovely but £20K

I have had a quote for cheapo pvc windows - which are acceptable - at less than £3K

Is there anything in between...preferably with a website that I can work out the prices on?

OP posts:
katierocket · 27/10/2006 16:20

What sort of house do you have? Are you thinking of selling within next 5 years or is it something you'll have to live with.
I absolutely hate hate PVC windows but it's obviously a personal choice. If you live in a newish house they I think most buyers would expect PVC but in a character house I think it's criminal to put PVC in.

Original poster
Katymac · 27/10/2006 16:23

This is for a conversion to a children's nursery

So it's not criminal (currently it is a breeze block barn)

OP posts:
Original poster
Katymac · 27/10/2006 16:28

although I do agree about period properties

OP posts:
southeastastra · 27/10/2006 16:29

well i'm not a katy! wooden windows need tons of upkeep don't they lots of repainting etc

Kittypickle · 27/10/2006 16:29

Don't Wickes do wooden framed double glazed windows, would something along those lines be any good ?

fishie · 27/10/2006 16:30

well you are prob going to get what you pay for - how long do you hope to be there? my neighbours are replacing pvc windows which are less than 10 years old

Original poster
Katymac · 27/10/2006 16:30

Well they have this wonderful coating that lasts for 25 yrs (or something)

& look fab & are very very eco - I just need something "a bit" eco and therefore "a bit" cheaper

OP posts:
Original poster
Katymac · 27/10/2006 16:38

wickes are softwood the eco ones are hardwood

I can't justify £20K of my budget though

OP posts:
fishie · 27/10/2006 16:48

we had wooden sash windows made - 2 years later the paint has come off the hardwood sills. all the softwood bits are fine, so i expect it has mellowed or whatever it is called. pain in bot is what i call it poor dp will have to sand and paint it.

i do love our windows though, maybe you can find a joiner who'll make some cheaper for you? pvc is horrible.

skanger · 27/10/2006 17:06

upvc that looks like wood-you can get it,but can't remember companies name-sorry

KTeepee · 27/10/2006 17:26

I have seen wooden windows where the outside is covered with pvc/aluminium so doesn't need painting and the inside can be varnished or painted. But I bet they are fairly expensive...

Original poster
Katymac · 27/10/2006 17:28

Hmmm

I like being green - why does it have to cost so much?

OP posts:
TuttiFrutti · 27/10/2006 17:58

Personally I'd go for UPVC every time.

Till a couple of years ago, I'd always lived in old properties with wooden windows, and had everything possible go wrong with them - rotting, rattling in the wind, needing expensive repainting every 2 or 3 years... Then we moved to our current house and the last owner was a builder who has put in fantastic UPVC windows and doors throughout. Marvellous. No maintenance required whatsoever. They do look nice as well, but I think as with everything else you can get different qualities for different prices.

flack · 27/10/2006 18:28

£20k? Who did you talk to?! Get another quote, we had many quotes of £4k for PVC and one quote for beautiful hardwood at £7.5k, you shouldn't have a £17k difference. It was a firm in North side of Norwich, look in the book.

I would go for wood knowing what you're after, they are high maintenance but they will last 100 years if looked after. Need re-staining every 2-3 years like religion. Never paint them, that's what ruins them.

flack · 27/10/2006 18:30

Catton windows , beautiful products.

Spatz · 27/10/2006 18:34

We've really regretted putting in our PVC windows. I guess they are warm, but the frames are so huge that for the french windows they truly take up half the window space. The room is very dark apart from when we have them open in the summer.

gRowlers · 27/10/2006 18:39

UPVC windows are horrid (IMO) and environmentally very unfriendly.
There may be slightly less maintenance with them but what happens to all that plastic when they are ultimately replaced?
I wouldn't do it.
May I ask why you are replacing them?
Have you considered revamping the windows that are already there?
Much more environmentally accepatble.
DP is a conservation officer so I can ask him for other solutions if you want?

Original poster
Katymac · 27/10/2006 18:47

Sorry gRowlers they aren't replacement

It's a barn conversion - so I need windows

I would like hardwood - but accept I must have softwood

I would like a website that allows you to input your needs and get a price

I'd love your DH to comment - I really need all the help I can get (s I'm too stingy to pay for advise from an architect.....apart from the absolutely necessary)

OP posts:
flack · 27/10/2006 18:53

Why must you have softwood?

Original poster
Katymac · 27/10/2006 18:54

'cos of the cost - I guess

I am on quite a tight budget (I can't even imagine the costs for everything)

OP posts:
flack · 27/10/2006 19:00

I don't think softwood is that much cheaper, though. Try Catton windows, honest, nudge, nudge. If they quoted us £7.5k I imagine you'd be quoted about £5.

Original poster
Katymac · 27/10/2006 19:01

OK I will ring them on Monday - but I think the quote will be for more - how many windows and doors were you after?

OP posts:
JoolsToo · 27/10/2006 19:06

oh this is interesting to me.

We're in a barn conversion and just had a quote for uPVC because of the maintenance issues.

We have a sample here and are seriously thinking again. The frames seem to be more plastic than window.

I'll come back when the next company gives us a quote. Interestingly they said their softwood lasts as long as hardwood and is much cheaper.

Tinker · 27/10/2006 19:14

Wood, wood, wood. We're moving house from wooden sashes to upvc

flack · 27/10/2006 19:14

No doors, but it was (counts on fingers) 1 little window, 5 medium sized, 3 large windows and a 3 sided large bay. That's 10 altogether...?

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