Replacing 100 year old single glazed windows? (edwardian)

garden_ella

last year

last modified: last year

Hi,

I'm looking for advice for if these old single glazed windows should be replaced?

It's one of the last houses on the street with its original windows so right now it definitely stands out.

However, I do think it's important to make the house more energy efficient and increase the value as well.

Please can you help me figure out which of the following options would be best?

Options:

1) Secondary glazing + restore/paint the single glazed windows

2) Triple glazed flush casement windows (wood or uPVC available)

Current windows:

uPVC with astragal bars that are copying the original windows but do not look as nice imo:

A++ triple glazed flush casement windows:

There is a company making triple glazed windows with this little arch that kind of reminds me of the original windows. We could ask that the windows are shorter and then buy 4 more separate windows to fill the original squares at the top and we can add the astragal bars (but this would probably cost a fortune idk?

Thanks everyone :)

Featured Answer

Angie

last year

Talk to The Sash Window Workshop. They specialise in windows like yours and can advise on how best to upgrade without compromising the house, whilst including energy efficiency. We’re about to have some more of our windows replaced by them, we were so impressed the first time round. They’re based in Bracknell, Berkshire, but travel. Still worth talking to them even if not in your area.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (15)

CWD
last year
I would definitely prefer the first option of secondary glazing and restore the original windows. Looks SO much nicer than UPVC - and they'll last forever if you maintain them, unlike plastic windows which will need replaced again in the future. Another option would be to get new double-glazed wooden ones made to match and replace the originals, but could be £££ and also you'll get the new perfect glass and lose some of the character of the original windows. If you're on a street where everyone else has UPVC and the houses sell easily enough and nobody really cares, then I wouldn't blame you if you joined them though if that's a much easier and cheaper option.
garden_ella thanked CWD
88wj88
last year
Those original windows are fabulous! I would be trawling for every window specialist to get their opinion on possibilities to keep the look while being energy efficient.. If the budget doesnt stretch then you have to do whatever is the best value for money and for your energy bills. it is a lovely house.
garden_ella thanked 88wj88
Frank
last year
Imitation (internal-to-pane) "astragal bars", from my point of view, look "more fake" than going full way triple-glazed, maybe even without the top lights (just single pane). Showcasing the new is more of a statement than "very badly trying but not succeeding to cover up it's new". Worst in this context is upvc; the frames look it already anyway, and the plastic inserts inside the panes make it twice as obvious.

we've gone from:

to:

but obviously in the full knowledge this is a striking difference in looks. If you do consider the expense of triple glazing, I'd say ... embrace it. If preservation of the originals matters more, then, personally, I'd rather look for good internal secondary glazing and/or good shutters than for a "wannabe" replacement.
garden_ella thanked Frank
HU-322689340
last year
We used a great company online that offer a great range of sliding sash windows in uPVC. They have a range of colours and finishes so you could get something that has the wooden effect and close to matching what you already have. They were reasonably priced too and a great quality product. Look at their website and you can see what i mean Windows Plus Online Sliding Sash
garden_ella thanked HU-322689340
PRO
Studio Basheva
last year
The house has roiginal features and the winodws are part of. Option 1 &2 could work. You could speak to https://clementwindows.co.uk

See if they could help.
garden_ella thanked Studio Basheva
twamleyk
last year
I agree with Frank!
garden_ella thanked twamleyk
PRO
Carla / kolours.space
last year
The original windows look amazing. Need to see the condition and if worth keep.
garden_ella thanked Carla / kolours.space
PRO
Ikonografik Design
last year
Original timber windows look amazing, if in good condition suggest you employ a timber window specialist who can upgrade and refubish. You can get slim double glazed units for historical windows - https://www.cnglass.co.uk/double-glazing/cn-slim-heritage-double-glazed-units/ - thermal performance not as good as new triple glazed but will improve. Also add in draught stripping to reduce draughts. Could potentially add secondary glazing as well so similar to triple glazing. Good luck.
garden_ella thanked Ikonografik Design
siobhanmcgee90
last year
Your original windows look amazing and could never be improved upon ever. It’s well worth investing in a reputable repair company who can advise you on how best to improve heat retention.
garden_ella thanked siobhanmcgee90
T S
last year
Your house stands out for the right reason…the windows are just beautiful 😍
garden_ella thanked T S
PRO
Chameleon Decorators & Windows Restoration
last year
Slim double-glazed units insulated with inert gases are great but not as efficient as vacuum double glazing and they start failing after 5 years. Vacuum insulated glazing has the same efficiency as triple glazing, please see the photo below where we tested different glazing options.

https://chameleon-decorators.co.uk/retrofit-single-glazed-windows/

You should consider fitting 7 mm vacuum double glazing into existing frames and refurbishing window frames, this way you can preserve those beautifully Edwardian windows but also get all the benefits of double glazing.
PRO
Ikonografik Design
last year
Slight issue with vacuum glazing is the black plastic pressurisation bubble that stays as a permanent visible fixture on each individual glass unit. Not ideal from an aesthetic perspective in my opinion.
PRO
Chameleon Decorators & Windows Restoration
last year
Yes, it was indeed the issue with Pilkington Spacia glass; see the picture below:

But the new generation of vacuum double glazing like FINEO glass does not have a visible protection cap and also has a better U-value compared to Pilkington Spacia glass

The below photo shows the original sash window with FINEO vacuum double glazing.
garden_ella thanked Chameleon Decorators & Windows Restoration
PRO
Ikonografik Design
last year
I didn't know that about the Fineo, that sounds s lot better, that's good to know, cheers