Charlottechicken Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 I'm after a couple of new windows for my (Victorian) house, and have recently discovered it is possible to buy sash windows made out of UPVC. I've decide to drop in on a local window company showroom on Friday to see how secure they are (as well as how much they cost!) the website says you can go unannounced. Does anyone already have these, and if so, is there anything I should look out for/questions I should ask? I know I will have to sacrifice windowsills as the sash windows will be deeper, but they are only accumulating junk anyway so it's not a great loss I'm not ripping out nice original windows, in case anyone wondered. I'm replacing cheap UPVC ones I had put in when I bought the house in 1994, and they replaced the lovely (not) louvre windows that the previous owner had installed, complete with retro plastic carrier bag packing stuffed behind the frames to fill the gaps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Will ask The Hubby when he gets home,Claire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 Thanks Sarah, any advice would be worth having. I'm going tomorrow morning, they open at 8am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Ok,he says they ate good - he has fitted a few,but they are expensive. Of course,because they are good,they should never need replacing and will never need to be painted. He says there are no specific things to ask,as they are all much of a muchness,so just ask what you would ask if they were just standard replacement Windows,really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 Thanks Sarah, that's useful to know! I'll report back, just hope they aren't too expensive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted June 3, 2011 Author Share Posted June 3, 2011 Well, had an interesting chat with a very knowledgable window man this morning. The sash windows they fit are Rehau Heritage, and are beautiful. However, they are twice the price of a normal casement window, he said I would be looking at £900 to £1000 per window. But, with that price you get all the architrave fitted around the window too, so when they leave you have something resembling a Victorian window. They fit them into the cavity that would have been occupied by the original sash, so they sit more flush with the interior wall than exterior. There were none to see in the showroom as they only get them in when they are going to fit them, but they have fitted a nearby convent, which still retains some original sash windows, and he says you can't tell the difference. Also had lots of photo's of jobs they had done including a house with 18 sash windows Life expectancy is 65 years plus!!! Now I want some as I really hate the old tatty UPVC windows I already have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Marple Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 I have these in our house. we had them put in last year. We really like them. if you have several to do you may be able to barter a good price. They are expensive, but you can get the surrounds sorted to match the original style of the windows. That is what my DH has done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted June 4, 2011 Author Share Posted June 4, 2011 Ooh, Ms Marple, can I ask a few questions? Are you happy with the security of the windows, if you have any downstairs? I understand that they lock with keys (so that satisfies the insurance anyway) but just wondered if the swing out window panes might be a security issue. Do you find them easy to use, and clean? Have people commented on them? Do you think they look authentic close up? On the pics I have seen they look really good. I was really pleased with the surrounds I saw in the portfolio of pics I was shown, as they matched the surround I know would have been in the back bedroom (I live three doors from my mum and she still has an original sash in what was my old bedroom). I will have to do the windows in stages, might have two this year and two next year, so don't think I could negotiate a substantial discount there, as I only want 4 in total , and only actually need two replacing However, I feel they would more than pay for themselves by adding a feature to the rooms, and putting a bit of Victorian style back in the house. Linky for anyone interested ***Heritage windows*** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
