Plastic Windows?

[robgil]

If a neighbour was about to put in plastic windows to the lovely 15thC cottage next door would you be worried?
Mine is one in a group of three, the one directly behind has white plastic windows but cannot be seen however the one next door recently changed hands to someone who I gather knows very little about these old cottages and is soon to sport new upvc windows that ''look like'' wood.

 

[michael]

15th C !!! Sounds like the conservation officer needs to get involved here.

 

[robgil]

It isnt listed, none of the cottages around here are. I dont want to upset my new neighbours either. Perhaps I am just being anal?

 

[Zebra]

I was thinking about those windows that "look like wood" until I became indoctrinated by PPUK, erm I mean until I knew better. If he doesn't know much about old cottages doesn't mean that he'd necessarily be averse to being pointed in the right direction. In the early days of owning an old place it's easy to pile in and make the wrong choices.

However, I think that to say "Erm, I don't think you should put those windows in" will mark you out as a right local busybody who thinks he knows best!

What you could say is "These old houses are great aren't they? But they require such careful consideration, don't they? Do you know, there's this marvellous web forum that advises people on old houses." Then watch for new members in your area, delete this post quick, and leave it to us!!!

 

[88v8]

It isnt listed, none of the cottages around here are. I dont want to upset my new neighbours either. Perhaps I am just being anal?

Not at all. If it has original windows it would be all sorts of crime to remove them. One of the chief crimes is that the original often quirky window shapes and sizes are lost and the building cut about to accept the straight square level new uglinesses.
Get onto your CO and ask for a spot listing, that will scupper them.

You might also mention to the owner that they are damaging the value of their house as most buyers of really old houses want plastic windows like a hole in the head.

Ivor

 

[Me!]

Are you in the conservation area of your village?
If you are, I think that means they need planing permission in Mid-Suffolk to change windows.

 

[vicky whitworth]

Most people know very little about old buildings. Why should they - it's not something that Mr or Mrs Average come into contact with most of the time. Most people don't know the disadvantages of plastic windows because there is very little readily available information to counter the claims of the plastic window companies. Most people think plastic windows last forever and are maintenance free.
Most people don't have the subtlety to appreciate that what appears like a minor change to an old building can swiftly convert it into a 'Barrett' home and afterwards wonder where their pretty 15th century cottage went.

I don't think it is un-neighbourly to say something to these sorts of people. I think it is neighbourly. You wouldn't not say anything if your neighbour was about to do something that would injure himself, would you?

 

[robgil]

We are in a conservation area but that doesn't mean they wont be allowed to do it.

 

[Me!]

True, but the Mid-Suffolk guidelines say "Windows are an important feature of many historic buildings. Where original examples exist they should if at all possible, be repaired rather than replaced. If replacement is unavoidable, then the new windows should be historically accurate. Modern replacements in metal or plastic frames are definitely not appropriate in historic buildings and the relative improvement of comfort with the double-glazing is very little in an older building where the walls can account for the major proportion of the heat loss."
It could be worth a friendly word with the neighbour to point this out, or if that fails then a reminder of the fact to the parish council before they meet to discuss the application may help.

 

[robgil]

Guys , I am going to recommend this forum to them , can we have this post/thread removed? I dont want them to think I've been gossiping.

 

[AMc]

Empathise that putting in plastic windows will devalue their home and can't be undone if you have a local joiner or wooden window manufacturer put them in touch.
Its a sad thing but many people think you can't get things repaired any more and can only get new windows from UPVC suppliers.

I get genuine surprise from people when I tell them I had new wooden windows with high performance glazing for less than the PVC crowd.

If it's a cost issue then I recommend the secondary glazing threads are checked many visitors have said - "Oh I didn't know you could still get them , it's much nicer than modern windows in an old house".

 

[vicky whitworth]

I get so confused by people. There are two cottages near us - one I posted about a year or so ago when it came on the market, neither are listed but both were nice cottages. One they are busy re-pointing the rubble stone walls with lime but they have put in plastic windows with those great wide plastic frames. The other they have put in nice wooden windows but they have taken down a chimney, re-slated in something far too even, taken off the lovely old porch, knocked one end off and are building an 'extension' twice the size of the original. The lovely old cottage is gone and a four bed executive home is rising in its place. Oh, and they knocked down the outhouses and felled nine mature cider apple trees. Nice people, I hope they invite me to dinner! Sorry, but it makes me weep.