Irish say no to PVC windows

Where is the best place to get new anatomically correct sliding sash windows, with glazing bars? Has anyone on this forum directed the installation of double glazing in same, satisfactorily, though the use of e.g ” Slimlite”? Has this been used with putty on a conservation project of accepted high quality?
Alternatively, has anyone used a secondary glazing system which is visually ok, as at Merrion Hotel?

Thanks

I was going to post the above attic window as the final pretty token pretty shot, but we can’t let that unpainted putty go without comment! Unfortunately, the setting time required for putty often results in owners never getting around to actually finishing the job. It’s a common problem.

Another good job has been done nearby on Marlborough Street, on an innocuous rendered late Georgian facing the Abbey.

Again, being on the northside, and Marlborough Street at that, the restoration catches the attention immediately. Very nice indeed.

Here, it appears timber beading was thankfully used. A more palatable soft white paint was also employed, in contrast to the brilliant white of Upper Gardiner Street. Alas the brass window hooks are historically inappropriate and visually vulgar. Otherwise, an exceptional job.

Both of the above pictures’ windows appear to be original, the first pair being late 18th century and the single above c. 1830. The attic floor windows appear to be late 18th century style reproduction.

But as soon as you think you are getting anywhere in this city, along comes more rubbish to cancel it out. Further up on dismally neglected Parnell Street east – a street one often feels city authorities have forgotten even exists – No. 162, an on the face of it Victorian-but-could-be-earlier pile has been mauled with the most appallingly detailed double-glazed sashes.

There are cricket bats with thinner profiles than those glazing bars.

Woeful stuff. This is the new face of ‘conservation’ in Ireland, and it’s spreading faster that swine flu.

Another freshly desecrated property is Focus Ireland’s premises on historic Eustace Street in Temple Bar.

Apparently a Protected Structure (the Record as vague as ever), all windows – which I seem to recall as original – have been ripped out and replaced by horrendously detailed Georgian-cum-Victoriana double-glazed sashes with sticky-on glazing bars.

Even the horns are stuck on, while the sashes appear to slide up and down on tracks. Classy.

One really cannot blame property owners for this muck – though questions must be raised when a Protected Structure – but rather the manufacturers of this awful stuff, who know only too well what they’re at, and the legal obligations of owners. At least PVC peddlers can bask in their own cesspit of ignorance, but these ‘skilled joiners’, as they no doubt market themselves, should know better. They bring shame to their profession with such appalling products. Indeed, like the surgeons of old, one can separate the master craftsmen from the barbers with increasing ease at this stage. Given there’s only a handful of the latter in the State, their work stands out mile when you encounter it.

One can never vouch for individuals goneill, but below is a good starting point. Testimony is everything.

http://www.igs.ie/Resources/Skills/Skills-Search-Result-List.aspx?craft=joiner+cabinet+maker&searchMode=2

These two houses look like they could be a complete (early 20th century?) brick-by-brick rebuilding of two houses depicted by Rocque in 1756, (if he actually existed).

detail from Rocque’s map when this section of the street was called Gravel Walk.

The houses retain the small gabled returns, the massive central chimney stack and the corner fireplaces of the pre-Georgian ‘Billy’ plan and I’d be very interested to see if either of these houses retained any other discernable features from their probable, early 18th century, manifestation.

Which type of poxy replacement windows these house have is also interesting.

There was another interesting higgledy piggledy group to the west of these, demolished in the early ’00s for the Collins Square apartment scheme. I have a picture somewhere ..

Gunter, your pic of thisisnotashop with a for sale sign reinforces my feeling that the art gallery didn’t put the windows in – ie. it was a new owner.

The old shop was a classic. Mr. Downing wore a white coat. Closed about 2003.

It’s hard to say if the two on Rocque are on the precise site of the existing houses, as there’s much less to go on, but they’re roundabout there anyway.

It does indeed have protection, Satrastar, but only if your building is a Protected Structure or is located in an Architectural Conservation Area. Even the replacement of the glass, never mind the entire original window, will be deemed as materially altering the character of the structure, therefore requiring planning permission (which would be refused).

Thisisnotashop was not responsible for the PVC windows. The gallery was rented, and on the ground floor only. Thisisnotashop didn’t make any changes, other than cosmetic, to the building. The landlord was responsible for the removal of the original sash windows and other original interior architecture. He has since been in a bit of trouble for some of his other properties: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2010/0626/1224273368340.html

@GrahamH wrote:

One of the most glittering arrays of historic glass in Dublin can be seen in the below terrace day and night. For some reason it’s always so marvellously apparant. Anyone know where? 🙂

Is it first floor windows of no. 29 Molesworth Street with the Masonic building reflected?

Ha – is this still on the go. D’other guy got it Paul!

Top marks gunter. This winner of this month’s prize!

You can use them to erase pesky parapets.

Sorry.