Replacement windows.

[twotwo22]

Yes, you can screw into UPVC, just avoid the glass which is easy to judge as it is held in by beads.

Lots of nice colours in UPVC now, rather then traditional white.

[staffordian]

In our experience, there is generally not much making good needed.

If the old windows are removed with care the plasterwork and decoration of the reveal need not be damaged unduly.

The new windows usually fit up to the existing plasterwork, and the norm is for the installers to fit flat thin upvc beading around the window if there is any damage. This covers it so it's not visible. Some may object to this and might prefer to fill, paint or re-paper as necessary, of course.

We had no redecorating to do after a compete new set of doors and windows were fitted in our last house, and a new door fitted in our present house similarly needed no making good on our part.

Staffordian

[supremetwo]

What sort of guarantee do you get nowadays?

Ours had 10 years.

Two of the panels on the South-facing side have developed leakage and internal condensation after around 12 years.

[muckshifter]

supremetwo,
We had the same problem in quite a few South facing windows not long after the ten year mark, and tried one of these companies that offer to clear it by drilling small holes in the outside pane and chemically washing the interior. It didn't really work, although to be fair the company did say the windows were on the limit of their capabilities before beginning work. So we now have windows which remain unclear, and are gradually filling with, initially curious, and later dead, insects after the small glass bungs in each of the drill holes has been knocked out by our window cleaner. Not a satisfactory outcome and a mistake I wouldn't make again - hope that helps you.

[pendas]

I've always avoided screwing into plastic frames. It's not as easy as with plaster or wood to make good any screw holes when the fittings are changed.

I've recently replaced four window sealed units after around 18 years life. Cost was less than £150 in total and took me around 10 minutes per window to fit from the inside. Disposing of the old units at the council tip took longer.

[sg31]

supremetwo,
We had the same problem in quite a few South facing windows not long after the ten year mark, and tried one of these companies that offer to clear it by drilling small holes in the outside pane and chemically washing the interior. It didn't really work, although to be fair the company did say the windows were on the limit of their capabilities before beginning work. So we now have windows which remain unclear, and are gradually filling with, initially curious, and later dead, insects after the small glass bungs in each of the drill holes has been knocked out by our window cleaner. Not a satisfactory outcome and a mistake I wouldn't make again - hope that helps you.

Surely the best thing to do is get replacement sealed units. They aren't expensive and can be fitted by a competent DIYer or you can get a glazier to do the job without it costing an arm and a leg.

I would get an approximate size of the sealed units and phone a few local glaziers for quotes. Don't bother with the big window supply companies like Everest etc they either won't be interested or be far too expensive.

[Slarti]

supremetwo,
We had the same problem in quite a few South facing windows not long after the ten year mark, and tried one of these companies that offer to clear it by drilling small holes in the outside pane and chemically washing the interior. It didn't really work, although to be fair the company did say the windows were on the limit of their capabilities before beginning work. So we now have windows which remain unclear, and are gradually filling with, initially curious, and later dead, insects after the small glass bungs in each of the drill holes has been knocked out by our window cleaner. Not a satisfactory outcome and a mistake I wouldn't make again - hope that helps you.

Our double glazed windows are coming up on 25 years old and are gradually all dying - misting up inside.

We had a chap who trades as Double Glazing Doctor who we found a few years back when a Woodpigeon committed suicide and cracked a large upstairs window.

The cost of the maintenance replacements has not, so far, cost us an enormous amount, somewhere near £2k, and we have had 2 French doors, their 4 side panes, and 8' by 5' pane, 3 off 2' by 4' windows and 3 off 2' by 1' vents done.

He comes, measures the latest ones to need doing, orders the glass units to modern spec (all the big stuff now has Kite Marks) and then returns and fits them.

It is a painless process, really.


Slarti

[muckshifter]

Thanks for the ideas to you both Slarti & sg31, but unfortunately it won't be that simple. On the second floor, with relatively difficult access, we have seven windows of approximately 1.7m by 0.8m which have "gone" in mahogany hardwood frames which makes replacement difficult unless you replace the frames, and I've never found a single company interested in the work on the existing frames in several attempts - you get promises to "ring back later to arrange a visit" and then have to remind the person you're talking too that they don't have your number! On the ground floor there are seven bigger windows, all but one in plastic frames, and it is these that the washing technique was tried, and failed on.

As a matter of interest has anyone any experience of gas filled units, which are claimed to be far better in terms of insulation, as we have high gas / electricity bills which could do with being reduced.

Thanks again for the suggestions.
Regards.

[saechunu]

You just need to find a local joiner who, using either ladders or perhaps with the aid of a scaffold tower (inexpensively hirable by the day), should be able to remove the existing glazing beading, remove the glazing units, and fit replacement units and hardwood beading. This is fairly standard stuff.

Inert gas (eg. argon) filled glazing units have marginally better U values, and it costs very little extra compared to air-filled, so it's worthwhile doing. However, note it's a very modest gain. Also, you should specify thermal (plastic) spacer bars rather than aluminium, again for a marginal gain. And specify units with an inner reflective thermal coating such as K-glass or Planitherm for another marginal gain. It's possible your existing units have none of these. These marginal gains may sum to something useful, but I wouldn't be throwing your jumpers away just yet!

Avoid so-called 'specialist' firms and find a reputable local joiner who'll likely be far better as well as being cheaper.

[oldapple]

We have a mix of both old double glazed mahogany Windows and new PVC gas filled Windows and doors. For many years we had a local tradesman come to replace the sealed units in the mahogany Windows as soon as we had maybe five needing done, and it didn't take him long to do them or cost too much. With the new gas filled and 'soft coat low-e glass' PVC Windows and doors from a 'good' supplier, not chain, we have noticed better performance, especially a lack of condensation round the inside edges - this seems to be to do with what previous poster is referring to - spacer insulation bars not being metal conducting cold inside. We are getting more replacement PVC Windows put in upstairs as having to rub down and ronseal every couple of years is a nightmare for me, having no head for heights. I'm not totally happy about getting rid of good solid mahogany Windows which look great once treated, but I am very happy with the new windows and doors re both insulation and ease of maintenance. Spiders don't like PVC so much either!