Windows fitted in Old Victorian Maisonette?
Question:I have just put an offer on a new place but its going to need new windows fitted throughout. However, its an old victorian style building with sash windows, so i dont know if i will be allowed to put new windows in? I think i might be allowed to have double glazing sash windows, am i right?
Also, does anyone have any idea how much it would cost to have 8 of these windows fitted?
Answers:
If its in a conservation area you will have to go for wooden sash windows, if its B listed you can put pvc in the back of the house and wooden in the front if its A listed its got to be wooden - it is very hard to find a company that still do wooden sash windows and very expensive - phone around the double glazing companies and they will advise you, I worked for a double glazing company for several years.
you are talking around $10,000.
get estimates from SEVERAL companies. they will come over and show you their windows etc. don't make any decissions without at least 5 bids.
when we had our windows done we got 7 bids. they ranged from $25,000 to $2,000. that's quite a big difference to me.
9 regular windows we had done and paid $4,000.
I can't help you with cost, but unless the house is a listed building, which is unlikely, you can replace the windows with anything you want. I live on a street of victorian terraced houses and some of them have replace the windows with all sorts, including hideous modern PVC things. I know it costs a bit more to add sash windows, but it looks so much better, and maintains the value of the place. If you ever put it on the market again, buyers tend to appreciate the traditional features.
http://www.sashwindowspecialist.com/...
http://www.slidingsashsolutions.co.uk/...
http://www.sash-style.co.uk/directory.ph...
As long as the place isn't listed you can put whatever windows you want in- if it is then you will have to ask the relevant authority for permission and what they will allow.
Even if the place isn't listed it will still be a matter of taste- do you really want PVC in a Victorian place? We live in a place that was built in 1871 and have double glazing but with Mahogany frames and it doesn't look to bad. Our neighbours on the other hand have white PVC and they look truly awful- completely out of character. As for the cost- Ours cost around 8000 pounds for a 2 bed flat.
As for companies stay away from Amber windows- They are based in Birmingham- but will go nationwide. My mum used them and it was a nightmare from start to finish (she is on her third replacement lounge window in four years and counting)
If you use historic rehabilitation tax credits you'll have to follow the Secretary of the Interior's preservation standards, which basically state that anythign that is repairable should be fixed. If somethign is not repairable it should be replaced with like materials. If you're not going to apply for tax credits or they're not available, then this won't be an issue. If your house is in a local historic district or a design or preservation overlay district (these have different names in different places) any changes in exterior appearance will have to be approved by an Architectural Review Board (again - known by different names according to location). Depending on their regulations, you may be able to replace the windows. I'd recommend gettign a quote on reglazing the windows and repairing the sashes even if you do plan to replace them, because this can be a very cost-effective method if the renovations are done correctly.
Expect to pay £400 to £800 per window depending on style aluminium or plastic etc.
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