Ventrola Sash window renovation system

[Suzanne]

I am looking into ways of reducing draft, rattle and noise from sash windows, and have had an estimate done by a company called Ventrola. They claim their (expensive) perimeter sealing system is highly effective for all of these problems, and also that it reduces heat loss to a similar degree as double glazing (whihc I am NOT considering). The estimate for 10 windows (4 single xand 2x3 bays) installation and some bottom sash repair and replacing full lower box assembly on 4 windows came in at £5,000.

Has anyone had this system installed in their windows, and if so, are the claims founded and are you satisfied with the improvements? I'm mainly concerned about heat loss, noise reduction is secondary.

In terms of value for money, I'm wondering if a sash repair craftsman can do repairs and put in weatherfin or brushpile insulation strips that would acheive a similar efect without having to have the Ventrola perimeter sealing system installed.


Thanks

Suzannne

 

[NT]

Suzanne:

>I am looking into ways of reducing draft, rattle and noise from sash windows,

built-in draught excluders should do that


> and have had an estimate done by a company called Ventrola. They claim their (expensive) perimeter sealing system is highly effective for all of these problems,

I think any perimeter draught excluder would be


> and also that it reduces heat loss to a similar degree as double glazing

how can it? You've still got single glazing there.


> (whihc I am NOT considering). The estimate for 10 windows (4 single xand 2x3 bays) installation and some bottom sash repair and replacing full lower box assembly on 4 windows came in at £5,000.

good god. Maybe ask Biff.


> Has anyone had this system installed in their windows, and if so, are the claims founded and are you satisfied with the improvements? I'm mainly concerned about heat loss, noise reduction is secondary.
>
> In terms of value for money, I'm wondering if a sash repair craftsman can do repairs and put in weatherfin or brushpile insulation strips that would acheive a similar efect without having to have the Ventrola perimeter sealing system installed.

yes of course. Its simple enough to do, fancy doing it yourself? Remove the sashes (remove beading and they lift out), route or saw a slot on 3 edges, insert draughtproofing strip in the slot, pur sashes and beading back. The important thing is to ensure the excluder will slide very easily, as theres a lot of surface that will slide every time you open the window.


NT

 

[biffvernon]

Ventrolla (with two 'l's) does have a good reputation, for worknanship, materials and sytems that preserve the historic fabric and appearance of sash windows while reducing their air leakage.
They are actually a franchise operation, ultimately owned by Laird plc, famous a century ago for its shipbuilding and heavy engineering. It reinvented itself as a global corporate in electronics industries and domestic architectural hardware.
Part of the price you pay goes to the shareholders and suits at head office so you might get cheaper work done by an independant joiner (if you can find one).
Or do it yourself. The Ventrolla website, helpfully shows you how to do it. No trade secrets and the brush pile draught excluders are widely available.

 

[thiambal]

I had a quote from Ventrolla. I was slightly uneasy about the amount of filler they wanted to use rather than splicing in new timber. One sash needed replacing and I was advised that I would be better off getting this done locally rather than wait the 8-10 weeks it would take their workshop - this suggested their legendary service was not all that.

Finally, I was not impressed with the menu style charging system. It made some of the job very expensive for no really good reason. E.g. £25 for new catchs. So that would be a £4 part (or less) and 8 screws on a window they are having to work on anyway.

In the end we went for a local tradesman who came highly recommended by other tradesmen who also do this work (i.e. I can do it but if you wany a really good job phone Bill). So fingers crossed eh! On the up side he works alongside a joiner who will make replacement parts with a day or so when it is part of a job for Bill!

I suppose Ventrolla are a large company so there is some comeback - but it is a franchise so it is only as good as the person who owns that franchise. In the end what good is comeback if you 100+ year old windows are ruined!

 

[NT]

Ive noticed comebacks are often toothless. And no comeback replaces doing the job right!

NT

 

[monkey writer]

thiambal - I noticed you are in Kent - I am too (Folkestone) and have about 7 windows in various stages of falling apart. I don't suppose you could let us know who the good guy is and report back when he's done the work? I too had a quote from Ventrolla - £4g. I've heard they're very good - but that's a lot of money and I don't really want the draft excluders, I just want the windows back into a good solid shape. If there's drafts in the winter we'll put up some heavy curtains.

Thanks!