10 tips on choosing windows
IF your home’s windows have seen better days, start with the glazing – double or even triple-glazed will be more energy-efficient of course, and then you have to consider if UPVC or wooden frames are the right choice for your home.
There are quite a few things to take into account, not least of which will be cost.
1. Lots of homes have single glazing and if yours is one of them, have you thought about the difference double glazing would make?
The benefits include making your home warmer, less draughty and less prone to condensation; lower heating bills; a smaller carbon footprint; and less external noise.
2. Try inputting your home’s details into the energy savings calculator on the Glass and Glazing Federation’s website at www.myglazing.com/ ggf-energy-savings-calculator to see what kind of savings you could make by fitting energy-efficient windows.
3. Wooden windows do need to be maintained – once paint or varnish starts to crack, chip or flake off, the wood is vulnerable to the elements. This can lead to rot and if left untreated for long enough, rot will start eating away at the wood, which can be terminal.
4. UPVC windows can also deteriorate over time, to the point where they look dated, discoloured and shabby, and while they can be painted, they rarely are.
5. Some companies offer ‘posh’ UPVC windows that look similar to wooden windows and come in some lovely colours. These provide the aesthetic benefits of wood without the ongoing maintenance problems.
While these windows in many ways offer the best of both worlds, they can be very expensive and are often a long-term investment.
6. Standard UPVC windows tend to be much cheaper than wooden ones. However, they don’t have the beauty and authenticity of wood which, providing it’s sourced sustainably, is a more environmentally friendly choice. If you can afford them, wooden windows usually last much longer and so offer better value for money.
7. Many 19th Century houses still have the original wooden sash windows, whereas UPVC windows often look tired and dated after around 20 years.
8. When it comes to listed buildings, wooden windows are usually the only option permitted by local councils, unless the building was listed with another type of window, and similar rules apply on ‘designated land’, such as conservation areas.
9. Houses in conservation areas often have their permitted development PD rights removed – flats and maisonettes don’t have PD rights – so planning permission is required for external alterations, including replacement windows.
10. The local council will usually specify that new windows should be made of wood, especially at the front of the house – other materials may be acceptable at the back.