Replacing lintels/windows - who to call?

[paulc]

Thanks Malcolm, honestly, I don’t know what sort of window I’m looking for. I think I’ll stick to Upvc double glazing but other than that I don’t know yet.

I am tempted to get a brickie in and quote for rebuilding the jambs to consider both too. I guess I just have no idea on costs for each option. It all just sounds rather expensive!

A brickie or small builder (if you can find either) would be your best bet rather than trusting something structural to a window fitter. And please, don't go to the likes of Anglian or Safestyle. I've seen the quality of some of their work, and it leaves much to be desired. That and the high pressure sales tactics used is just laughable along with the massively inflated prices.
You are going to need scaffolding for the upstairs windows which will push the cost up, but if you can get it done for £500-1000 per lintel, you're doing well. Most brickies/builders will want to use cement rather than a pure lime mortar. So if you want traditional materials used, you'll need to be upfront and firm about it.

As for FENSA and equivalent certificates - These were introduced back in 2002, so anything installed before this wouldn't have any paperwork. Kite marking of the glass is only a "thing" for toughened units which are not needed for every window.

 

[newtothis]

A brickie or small builder (if you can find either) would be your best bet rather than trusting something structural to a window fitter. And please, don't go to the likes of Anglian or Safestyle. I've seen the quality of some of their work, and it leaves much to be desired. That and the high pressure sales tactics used is just laughable along with the massively inflated prices.
You are going to need scaffolding for the upstairs windows which will push the cost up, but if you can get it done for £500-1000 per lintel, you're doing well. Most brickies/builders will want to use cement rather than a pure lime mortar. So if you want traditional materials used, you'll need to be upfront and firm about it.

As for FENSA and equivalent certificates - These were introduced back in 2002, so anything installed before this wouldn't have any paperwork. Kite marking of the glass is only a "thing" for toughened units which are not needed for every window.

Really helpful, thank you!

I’ve been thinking about the question you asked yesterday (ie which style windows am I looking for?) and it made me realise that I would like to stay true to the original style where possible to try and add some character back in. So that got me wondering what the original house looked like. Google hasn’t been particularly helpful in terms of my actual street so I’ve decided that before I start replacing anything, a trip to the local archives might be in order.

Once I’ve worked out what I actually want it to look like, then I will get a Brickie/Builder to come tell me how much to make it work.

Thank you all so much for all of your help.

 

[malcolm]

I'm wrong in my earlier post. The cracks at the bottom of the upstairs window would imply the lintel downstairs has settled rather than anything bad happening upstairs. Also the structural stuff could be sorted either by a good lintel inside or a good arch outside so it's probably the lintel you have inside isn't up to the job.

I have no idea what I would do in your case. The sash windows in my place had been replaced with modern windows which had been poorly installed and were causing problems. I went back to the original sash windows. They are lovely. From the outside the frame looks slender as most is hidden behind the outer face of brick.

For a terrace where the neighbourhood has already been brought down by all the neighbours with UPVC I don't think sash windows would add much value in terms of house price. Repairing the brick opening properly would be tricky when one side is close to another wall. I think I would be tempted to leave the opening as it is, investigate the lintel downstairs and probably replace it (with a nice concrete one that is a bit longer) to halt the settling. Then choose windows that fit in the gap that you like. Replacing a lintel is straightforward and could be done in a day plus a bit of plastering and paint.