Replacement window?

[Bayliss]

I need to replace the softwood flush fitting casement window in our cottage bathroom. This area of the cottage is a modern extension (1948) and the cottage itself (c1750) is surprisingly not listed.
The window is 120cm x 90cm in softwood and I would like to fit a similar style (ordinary). Can anyone advise me as to how much it may cost for a professional to remove old and fit new please?

 

[robgil]

Where are you?

 

[Bayliss]

Hi, I'm in Occold which is just the other side of Eye in Suffolk.

 

[Moo]

May I suggest that you add that information to your Profile? It's such a help when people give some idea of their whereabouts (doesn't have to be too precise - just a rough idea of where you are is enough).

 

[another_richard]

As a rough guide:

£350 for the window mass made ones:
http://www.wickes.co.uk/timber-casement-window-top-hung/invt/169948/
More for tailor made


A mornings work to take out the old one and replace t'with summit similar to the above around £200.

Or £20 per hour and they'll be there all week.

 

[Bayliss]

Thanks for info' , thought it would have been a lot more, so pleasant surprise.

 

[Bayliss]

May I suggest that you add that information to your Profile? It's such a help when people give some idea of their whereabouts (doesn't have to be too precise - just a rough idea of where you are is enough).

Done

 

[Bayliss]

Decided to go for Upvc window, big National Company gave an appointment for 2.00pm but didn't bother to turn up :roll: Tried the local family Company - good service, sensible price. They also recognised that my order for one window was still a valuable job for them. Price 416 pounds all in.

 

[biffvernon]

Another house messed up

 

[88v8]

We like plastic windows on here.
We like putting them in skips and smashing them up.

Ivor

 

[JoceAndChris]

Why? What is the appeal of upvc?

 

[Feltwell]

Come on everyone, gentle persuasion is a better way for the unconverted surely....

Bayliss, as you've no doubt gathered UPVC windows don't get a very warm reception on here. Why? Well, everyone's reasons are different but broadly:-

- They just look wrong on an old building. Smooth and shiny and bright white with big thick chunky frames and glazing bars, they are quite unlike the original windows which look so much more in keeping.

- They're not maintenance free, far from it. They will need replacing a long, long way before a good wooden window. My windows are a mere 112 years old and are still going strong despite much neglect over the years - they need a bit of attention & repair now, but not that much. Others on here have much, much older windows. A plastic window will be lucky to last 25 years and will look very shabby a long way before that.

- They're not environmentally friendly at all. They will end up in landfill a long time before a good wooden window and will take god knows how many years to decompose.

- A decent wooden window treated properly does not rot. Even a neglected one can be repaired - very, very rarely is a wooden window so far gone that it is beyond repair.

Any local joinery company will be able to make you a new wooden window and install it, and I'd be surprised if it's more than the UPVC costs. Have you asked your window company if they'll do a wooden window? Many will, they'll source it from a joiners shop and then fit it themselves.

Even though this is in the more modern part of your house I pretty much guarantee it will look totally inappropriate in UPVC. I've yet to see an example that looks good.

 

[Flyfisher]

Come on everyone, gentle persuasion is a better way for the unconverted surely....

Agreed.

Even though this is in the more modern part of your house I pretty much guarantee it will look totally inappropriate in UPVC. I've yet to see an example that looks good.

Also, I've yet to see an example where dirt and grime doesn't find itself into the corner mitre joints, making them highly visible and rather ugly.

 

[88v8]

And, they're (nearly) all white. Streets used to be a riot of colour, now all white. Yuk.
Although, when in Madeira a few years ago, we saw several houses with plastic windows which a) weren't thick and clumsy and b) had white sashes with green frames. My Portugese is virtually non-existent, but I gathered they were made in Portugal. Why is there nothing equivalent over here?

Ivor

 

[AMc]

I don't think PVCu or uPVC windows look right on anything built before about 1980 - as one of my builders described it "It's like giving your granny a boob job".

- They're not environmentally friendly at all. They will end up in landfill a long time before a good wooden window and will take god knows how many years to decompose.

I agree with all of the other comments but this one isn't true the materials are recyclable and are in many cases recycled already.
http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=upvc+recycling&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GBfficial&client=firefox-a

 

[Gareth Hughes]

But surely they don't need to be recycled, don't they last forever and never need painting, maintenance, etc etc? :?

 

[LadyArowana]

But surely they don't need to be recycled, don't they last forever and never need painting, maintenance, etc etc? :?

Is that a recommendation :lol: ?

 

[Bayliss]

As always the biggest response on forums is when the 'established members' like to 'have a go'. Thanks a lot. If those that shout so loudly would like to take the time and trouble to actually read my opening post :roll:
Within the next few years the 1940's extension will be knocked down, well its hardly in keeping with the original cottage. Meanwhile I am trying to keep the blasted place dry and warm, never thought I would have come across such 'period snobbery'.

 

[skier-hughes]

If those that shout so loudly would like to take the time and trouble to actually read my opening post :roll:
Within the next few years the 1940's extension will be knocked down, well its hardly in keeping with the original cottage. Meanwhile I am trying to keep the blasted place dry and warm, never thought I would have come across such 'period snobbery'.

I can't actually see in your first post where you say it is going to be knocked down??
Surely a decent window now would be reused in your rebuilt section? Thus saving you money overall, without all of the environmental impacts?

 

[LadyArowana]

As always the biggest response on forums is when the 'established members' like to 'have a go'. Thanks a lot. If those that shout so loudly would like to take the time and trouble to actually read my opening post :roll:
Within the next few years the 1940's extension will be knocked down, well its hardly in keeping with the original cottage. Meanwhile I am trying to keep the blasted place dry and warm, never thought I would have come across such 'period snobbery'.

If all you need to do is keep it warm and dry for a short period of time then is replacing the window the cheapest solution? Could you make do with a temporary fix even if it doesn't look very nice, you might be able to DIY very cheaply and then spend the money on a something nice for the permanent structure.