Leaded Windows... the trilogy continues!

[truenorth]

Hello all,

Many thanks to everyone that helped me find a repairer for my old leaded windows and also for the advise on how to remove the screws that didn't really want to move - I can promise a great deal of swearing was heard at that stage!

The windows are fully installed, using 99% of original components and matching the other 1%. I'm really pleased, the windows are stunning.

The final part of the task is to find some sort of window lock. Have tried all the usual suspects for advice and drawn a blank. The neighbours have manged to cobble a lock together for their windows, but it it's a modern lock on an old window and just looks wrong.

I've attached some images at http://www.putfile.com/truenorth to show what I've got to work with.

Ideally I'd love something simple and tastful, keeping as much character as possible.

Any help greatly apreciated.

Thanks again.

Ady

 

[RobT]

Hi Ady,

can't believe it. They are exactly, well nearly, the same as mine.

We've had a few quotes through to restore our leaded lights but would welcome any feedback on costs.

Did you paint/limewash the surrounding brickwork to hide the various repaired patches?

And how were the leaded glazed units fixed into the stone?

I'll keep my eyes peeled for any potential locking devices.

regards

Rob

 

[Ian Bond]

Hi

I don't think that you can make those windows very much more secure, even by fitting a lock on the stay. Is this what the neighbours did?

If someone was determined to get in, could they not pry the lead cames apart and pick the glass out of the lattice?

Fittting secondary laminated glazing would be much more secure, but not acceptable for aesthetic reasons. Those windows are beautiful - I wish they were mine!!!!

Interior or exterior timber shutters would improve security, but you'd have to remember to shut and lock them (inconvenient) and it may not be a practical proposition anyway - you probably don't want to make intrusive alterations to that wonderful mullioned window.

How about making it more difficult for an intruder to have the opportunity to muck around with the window, instead?

If that window is easily reachable from the ground, I'd be thinking about defensive planting in front of it. An attractive, but prickly and burglar unfriendly bush perhaps?

Is that window overlooked? Would security lighting make it easier for someone to 'work on' the window? As I understand it, PIR movement activated security lighting's not much use - if the target has already been selected it doesn't put the burglar off much, if they're already committed.

I lived in one of the most burgled and crime-ridden areas of the UK for 8 years, and we had break in attempts every week. In fact, at one point it was *the* most burgled Post Code area, which is nice. Good job I had nowt worth nicking. The trouble is, you can't really turn your house into an impregnable fortress - you've got to live in it , be able to get out in an emergency. There's plenty you can do though. I even took up Baseball at one point - I've still got the bat somewhere :wink:

Just be glad you don't live in a nice new modern house, with doors and windows made out of plastic!!!

 

[truenorth]

Hi Rob,

I had the middle two opening windows replaced, upstairs and downstairs. Both were in a terrible state when I bought the property - the lead was shot at, the frame pretty rusy and some of the glass cracked.

To do both including removal, bording over and replacing cost £497.00 (or £420.00 if you're cheeky enough to ask is there anything off for cash!).

Didn't paint anythng over, the stone casing was exactly like that when I oved in, next doors is the original exposed stone and I prefer his. So no patch repair to cover.

The units are screwed into iron frames that are inserted into the window. Boy were they a pain the ass to remove - probably cost me £40.00 in drill bits.

If you're interested, speak to Steve at Starlight Stainglass. don't be put off by the naff name, a really nice fella and very helpful. If you do speak to him, let him know I passed his detail on.

Cheers

- your windows are exactly, well nearly the same as mine? My new nextdoor neighbour is called Rob ?? Surely it's not you???

 

[truenorth]

Ian,

the neighbour has fitted a white bolt lock that you'd see in a plastic conservatory. Hmmm.

In fairness it does the job, but not exactly in keeping.

Thorny roses planted!

Ady

 

[Ian Bond]

Ian,

the neighbour has fitted a white bolt lock that you'd see in a plastic conservatory. Hmmm.

In fairness it does the job, but not exactly in keeping.

Ady - it cannot possibly be PPUK Rob then !!

I wouldn't fancy climbing through a thorny rose to break into your house - I'd be off to next door's, with their cr*ppy stay-lock

It really is a fantastic window though, and very nicely restored.

 

[RobT]

Hi Ady,

- your windows are exactly, well nearly the same as mine? My new nextdoor neighbour is called Rob ?? Surely it's not you???

Are you the guy who plays 'Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree' by Brotherhood of Man 20 times each day and has been threatened with an ASBO?

Seriosly, no, on this occassion I'm Rob from Warminster - the True South-West.

On a more serious note have you checked your insurance smallprint concerning locks on windows? Some insurers might insist on locks as standard?

regards

Rob

 

[Ian Bond]

Are you the guy who plays 'Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree' by Brotherhood of Man 20 times each day and has been threatened with an ASBO?

I thought it was Tony Orlando & Dawn?

Oops, there goes what little was left of my street-cred!

 

[truenorth]

Rob,

they do! But I'm desperate not to spoil the work I've had so far.

I'm determined there must be an answer.

I'll keep hunting.

Ady

 

[biffvernon]

Nice windows, Ady

 

[truenorth]

Cheers - and thanks for the advise first time around.

Ady

 

[Penners]

Ady

I've been thinking over your window lock problem. Here's an idea that might not be too unsightly.

You can buy little gizmos called "threaded inserts". Imagine a nut with a normal machine threaded hole in the centre, but on the outside it has a coarse wood thread instead of a hex. You drill a hole and screw the wood thread into the wood until the unit is flush with the surface of the the wood. Have a look at this http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/sea...&howMany=5&searchText=threaded+insert&x=6&y=8

If you fitted a small threaded insert into the stile just below the tongue of each window catch, you could then get a bit of studding of a suitable size to fit the centre of the threaded insert, and cut it to a suitable length so that, when it it's screwed right into the bottom of the threaded insert, enough of it sticks out to prevent the tongue of the latch passing it. You could grind and black (or bronze, or whatever) the sticking out bit to make it look hand forged, and it should be pretty unobtrusive. You'd need to cut a slot in the end of the piece of studding so you could use a screwdriver to get it in and out.

I reckon that would look an awful lot better than a modern window lock fitting - but it's all a matter of taste!

If you're interested, but can't follow my rather muddy explanation, send me a private message with your email address, and I'll email you a drawing.

 

[truenorth]

Will do - thanks.

Ady