Restoring sash windows
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@Rusty Cogs wrote:
While not loosing sleep as such I have to say I’m in a dilly of a pickle over the windows in my c.1900 2 up 2 down. The three 2/2 sash windows to the front have long since been replaced by PVC dross which has since warped and requires replacement. For sport I went into a uPVC joint in Fairview who gave me a rough quote of €5k spend. BTW, the road is now a mix of uPVC and new 1/1 wooden sash. Not an original 2/2 remains.
Rusty Cogs, I know what it costs to produce uPVC windows they cost almost nothing to produce I know a guy in NI who will give me windows for €100 each and that is with him making a prodit, I really can’t understand how uPVC people can charge as much as they do.
I know what goes into making up and down sliding sash windows, all the components are expensive but it really has to be pointed out again and again uPVC is not long lasting (20-30 years ) hardwood sash windows are built for 2 or 3 lifetimes (100-200 years).
Even if you put that point to people, you’d get the answer ‘well why should I have to pay for other generations’ windows?’! It’s a fair enough point, purely on the basis of personal economics.
Also, it’s incredibly difficult to get people to implement a net loss in insulation, heat and sound, by removing old PVC windows (a growing isssue) and replacing them with single-glazed sashes according to historic detail. And as Rusty observes, the explosion in poor double-glazed reproduction sashes is having an adverse impact on the survival of a design record on a street, where single-pane units are now commonly replacing two-over-twos and Georgian sashes. Indeed, I know of a prominent public building that for years I thought once had one-over-ones on the basis of its (good) repro sashes, until I happened upon an old photograph showing two-over-twos. As a rural building, it took on an entirely different character and style – even the date shifted by a couple of decades. At least PVC glazing rarely lied about the former glazing pattern. And of course, this issue pales into insignificance when considering the rubbish detailing of the majority of repro sashes.
I’m not sure what I would do if I was in Rusty’s position. I wouldn’t care about the heat loss, as it’s meagre, but sound insulation is important. Especially as none of these streets were originally built with motorised traffic in mind. Buses in particular are a killer for sound pollution. I’d suffer for style I suppose.
@snooky wrote:
Hi,
Does anyone know or can recommend sash window restoration/replacement company that will cover North County Dublin? We have three sash windows on our stone cottage (c. 1905), which need either restoring or replacing.
I am unsure how bad they have to be before they must be replaced?
Windows are 6 over 6, have no weights/pulley visible (must have been ripped out), and we can’t open them.. due to years of over painting I should think. One pane is cracked but the rest look ok. There’s some small amount of wood rotting at the bottom of one of the windows as far as I can see.. though difficult to tell how bad the windows are underneath all the paint. They still keep out the wind and rain though!.
Appreciate any advice. Thanks
Hi,
Have you found a company yet. I have a small business in that field. Feel free to call me 087 2867208 – Kenneth ConnorPaste the link below to view some of our work
http://picasaweb.google.com/Heritage.Joinery.Ireland/HeritageJoineryPortfolio?feat=directlink
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