Windows on "Land Commission" cottage
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Not sure that’s the official term for them – but I mean the 1930’s/40’s storey and a half cottages where there is one window either side of a door downstairs and 2 window in either gable upstairs.
We are in the process of putting an extension on, and are going to replace the windows on the existing part too. Originally they were sliding sash, with no central bar (we assume as there is one still remaining, although it’s very small). Now they’re very cheap and not so cheerful pvc, top half opening outwards. We want to go wooden windows, although mind you this was mainly from an environmental point of view rather than architectural…. Would really like to go sliding sash but the quotes for that are coming back twice the price of a wooden window like what we have – this from a scandinavian window company… not sure if allowed name names on here… Were a bit wary of joiners etc doing windows as we are very keen to get as low a u-value as possible and have seen friends who got them done locally and they look a bit dodge. As it happens though, we can’t use sliding sash upstairs anyway as the size of the opening bit wouldn’t meet fire regs soooo … questions are:
1. Recommendations for sliding sash window manufacturers where the u-values of the windows will be good – and the prices not too high…
2. What type of window to put upstairs in place of sliding sash… Size is 1050 x 900. Basically we need the whole sash to open so we could either go single side opening, double side opening with a removable mullion, tophung or tilt+turn. Either way they’re going to look very different from downstairs – from the front you won’t see them but from the garden you’ll see 2 and 2, pretty much above each other and it might look a bit odd, them being very different styles. Which is why we were giving up on the sliding sash and going to go with what we have downstairs, top half tophung and upstairs single side hung with maybe a slim 2 and 2 on it…
Also hubby insists that if he’s paying for wood he wants to see it so is against painting them – personally I think the white is nice and that you still know it’s timber…
Sorry about the ramblings, any advice would be great – we’ve gone from gung-ho for sliding sash, to completely modern and back again…
Hi Aisling,
A tricky one all right about the upstairs windows. Not sure what you can do – though just before you abandon the fire reg issue, have you confirmed this? – in that it may be possible to have just one of the two upstairs wndows accessible for escape. That way the window that is visible alongside the downstairs could be sashed, while the other one different for escape.
As far as I know only a certain amount of upstairs windows require access depending on the layout of rooms, though of course considering the children in shot, incl fire helmet :), fire safety if of the utmost concern and must take precedence over the aesthetics if required.It’s always a difficult issue for both tradtional and modern options with these largely square windows – it’s a nightmare deciding how it opens without it looking ridiculous. No matter what it’s going to look clunky when opened given the whole expanse has to open fully. It’d be fairly easy I’d assume for a joiner to make up a decent mock sash design that hinged out casement-like from the side that could look perfect when closed – just what about when it’s open?! Personally I’d probably go for this option, especially if you don’t open windows much, but in a busy family house that may be difficult :). If the window isn’t wide open though it should all right just ajar.
Perhaps others here have had experience with this issue…As for the idea for exposed timber windows, tell him to feck off – they’re being painted and that’s the end of it 😀
But seriously, my experience of exposed (coloured varnished) softwood windows has been a nightmare – you’d probably want to go for hardwood if eaving them exposed, which would cost even more again if going for sashes.By the way, just to throw the cat amongst the pigeons, many of these Land Commission houses featured Georgian style sashes, and even one down the road from me features Edwardian style casement window, with the top part fitted out with a multipnae grid!
*whispers* (just ignore that though, the one-over-ones are handiest, go for them – just blame the PVC brigade like everyone else for misleading you) 😀If looking for a joiner, don’t be put off by a nasty experience you amy have come across; there are plenty of decent, experienced joiners out there. As posted many times before here, the Irish Georgian Society have a database of many reputable joiners who do all sorts of work including windows here:
http://www.irish-architecture.com/igs/register/index.html
A decent one should be able to advise you on u-values including double glazing, draught-proofing and ventilation.
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