Sliding sash windows

eugenedoc1 · 22-07-2008 12:58PM #1

Considering putting this type of window in my new build. Particulary Spectus VS.
Anyone had any experience with these

Slig · 22-07-2008 01:39PM

Make sure that you can get the necessary escape opening size on all the windows. this can be more difficult with Sash windows than casement windows.

eugenedoc1 · 22-07-2008 04:27PM

Slig wrote: »

Make sure that you can get the necessary escape opening size on all the windows. this can be more difficult with Sash windows than casement windows.

Yeah,have been told escape/fire openings necessary on 1 window in each bedroom which i plan to have casement anyhow.
Sliding sash on the front of the house only

Pinky123 · 23-07-2008 12:03AM

Hiya eugene,
We put Mar**n alu clad sash windows in our new build( installed Jan this year ) and have to say that even though the windows were more expensive than casement they were well worth every penny. They give a great look to the house and are generally maintence free. We got the exterior in black and matched up the guttering etc and gives a very clean finish. All our windows are 900mm wide so there was no issue with fire escape's the only thing is that you can't really put locks on the windows ( not sure if that is allowed anyway) HTH

BreeVdK · 23-07-2008 09:05PM

We also went with Marv*n and think they look fab. We prioritised and the windows were no.1 so we spent our money on them as they will be there forever or nearly anyway, hopefully.

eugenedoc1 · 27-07-2008 11:01AM

BreeVdK wrote: »

We also went with Marv*n and think they look fab. We prioritised and the windows were no.1 so we spent our money on them as they will be there forever or nearly anyway, hopefully.

Thanks guys, Will give the company a ring for a quotation.
wonder do they make pvc frames? The wife cant see past white pvc

Mellor · 27-07-2008 06:21PM

eugenedoc1 wrote: »

Thanks guys, Will give the company a ring for a quotation.
wonder do they make pvc frames? The wife cant see past white pvc

To each their own, far be it from be to impart opinions on style.
But Sliding sash windows are really a traditional item, and if not used right they can look a load of balls. In the right house they look well, but PVC sliding sash windows a pile of shite in my opinion.
PVC windows in general are poor, but if going sliding sash it should be (preference for white) timber, alu-clad at a stretch for maintainance.

S.L.F · 12-08-2008 11:40PM

Mellor wrote: »

PVC sliding sash windows a pile of shite in my opinion.

This does not even get near my utter distaste for uPVC of all types of windows.

I work in the area of restoration and it annoys me constantly to see people putting in crap uPVC, it doesn't cost more to get the windows up to scratch.

eugenedoc1 · 20-08-2008 12:06PM

S.L.F wrote: »

This does not even get near my utter distaste for uPVC of all types of windows.

I work in the area of restoration and it annoys me constantly to see people putting in crap uPVC, it doesn't cost more to get the windows up to scratch.

S.L.F 20k for PVC-U, 45-50K for alu clad. You do the math

bauderline · 20-08-2008 12:25PM

SLF if you can point me in the direction of someone who will supply decent timber windows for the same price as uPVC then hit that big red PM button, because I will certainly take another look....

Having said that the quality of the current generation of pvc windows is not to be sniffed at....

P.

sydthebeat · 20-08-2008 12:50PM

SLF has plainly posted that he/she works in the area of restoration.

In this particular field, the installation of PVC windows is a definite no-no.

The previous two posters are building new, therefore they are commenting on a separate issue altogether. PVC in new builds, whilst maybe not ideal, is totally understandable when budget comes into play. However, when restoring period buildings PVC is a curse, so much so that an bord pleanala made a ruling in 2004 on this issue

"Irish say no to PVC windows
16 July 2004

The Irish government has put a stop to what it sees as a plague of PVC windows infecting the country’s historic building stock.

The Irish Planning Board has said that the offending windows may not be used in buildings of “architectural merit”, following a landmark ruling that conservationists hope will lead to PVC windows being ripped out all over the Irish Republic.

The ruling came after conservationists complained about PVC windows used in the conversion of a Georgian building in Dublin into a pub.

Dublin City Council agreed and refused permission. The John Hanlon pub, which had already installed the windows, took its case to the Planning Appeals Board but lost.

An Taisce (the Irish National Trust) claims that PVC windows are a “national disease” and has started to check all privately owned historic buildings around the country. Where it finds any offending PVC it will contact the local authority and urge it to prosecute. An Taisce heritage officer Ian Lumley said the main targets are courthouses and town halls, many of them listed early 19th century classical buildings.

“Where PVC windows have been installed, we will demand that they be replaced by wooden sash windows,” he said. “In some cases, the local authorities should be prosecuting themselves.”

davidoco · 20-08-2008 12:53PM

bauderline wrote: »

SLF if you can point me in the direction of someone who will supply decent timber windows for the same price as uPVC

I have dealt with joinery shops who have done hardward double glazed windows (no sliding) in various styles and it was perhaps 10% to 15% more than uPVC. There is a bit of work then painting the windows and maintenance thereafter.

Depending on the house though I would rather put up a sheet up perspex than fit uPVC.

S.L.F · 20-08-2008 03:16PM

eugenedoc1 wrote: »

S.L.F 20k for PVC-U, 45-50K for alu clad. You do the math

I recently looked at a uPVC door I saw installed 10 years ago and it looks totally crap.

It has turned yellowish, looks terrible.

I've restored windows that are 250 years old that look new now (after painting of course).

The life of uPVC has been estimated at 25 years so if you put in uPVC windows you'll be replacing them in 25 years whereas wood will still be there.

The maintenance of wooden windows is to paint once every 5 to 7 years, normally 2 to 3 days work, its not a big deal.

bauderline wrote: »

SLF if you can point me in the direction of someone who will supply decent timber windows for the same price as uPVC then hit that big red PM button, because I will certainly take another look....

Having said that the quality of the current generation of pvc windows is not to be sniffed at....

P.

Trying to compare prices of uPVC with good wooden windows is not possible, it's like comparing a library with a video shop (my wife, being a librarian, hates that comparison).

The main reason the uPVC manufacturers have gone to bigger lengths to improve the quality of the look of uPVC is because the last generation of uPVC looks totally rubbish.

I'm sure in 10 years time we'll know if they still look as good as they do now.

The current generation of uPVC windows will be one of the last generations of such as because once the oil runs out uPVC will thankfully be gone forever.

I can't find any big red PM button on my lap top

davidoco wrote: »

I have dealt with joinery shops who have done hardward double glazed windows (no sliding) in various styles and it was perhaps 10% to 15% more than uPVC. There is a bit of work then painting the windows and maintenance thereafter.

Depending on the house though I would rather put up a sheet up perspex than fit uPVC.

The biggest problem with sliding sash windows is the huge prices of pulleys weights catches lifters fasteners.

The main comparison is that casement windows mainly only have hinges and handles.

Believe me all the stuff for the restoration of old sash windows is expensive.

Syd thanks again for that info on perspex.

mickydi · 13-09-2008 06:47PM

Have just replaced wooden sash window (spring rather than weights ... unfortunately!!) for Victorian house.... in size much the same as many Georgian windows in Dublin ... each window a single pane. Cost approx 1000 euro + VAT per window!!! This was the best quote we got & we shopped around ... a lot!! To restore was out of the question as the original windows very in a very poor state & the cost would have been prohibitive, especially as such cost would never have been recovered in the house ... it isn't cut stone or anything. They are a great job but I miss the 'old ones' with the quirky glass etc... which I was assured was too brittle to be transferred into the new windows.
PVc alternatives for the same job were costing WAY less!

S.L.F · 13-09-2008 11:27PM

mickydi wrote: »

Have just replaced wooden sash window (spring rather than weights ... unfortunately!!) for Victorian house.... in size much the same as many Georgian windows in Dublin ... each window a single pane. Cost approx 1000 euro + VAT per window!!! This was the best quote we got & we shopped around ... a lot!! To restore was out of the question as the original windows very in a very poor state & the cost would have been prohibitive, especially as such cost would never have been recovered in the house ... it isn't cut stone or anything. They are a great job but I miss the 'old ones' with the quirky glass etc... which I was assured was too brittle to be transferred into the new windows.
PVc alternatives for the same job were costing WAY less!

If you used balances (tube which goes down the side of the frame) and plan to use the windows on a regular basis the you will be getting some one out to replace them in about 3 years because they seize after a while with small bits of metal that gum the works up.

Monty Gerhardy · 14-09-2008 11:05PM

S.L.F wrote: »

I'm sure in 10 years time we'll know if they still look as good as they do now.

The current generation of uPVC windows will be one of the last generations of such as because once the oil runs out uPVC will thankfully be gone forever.

I hate to rain on the parade but PVCu is at the point that ‘new’ windows can now be produced from recycled material. Some in the industry are already talking about using ethanol as a substitute for petroleum. Save a tree use upvc ! It gets better - the 2008 BRE Green Guide to Specification has given PVCu an ‘A’ rating. GIGO, obviously, but it will be in the guide at least until the next update.

Monty

S.L.F · 15-09-2008 11:17AM

Monty Gerhardy wrote: »

I hate to rain on the parade but PVCu is at the point that ‘new’ windows can now be produced from recycled material. Some in the industry are already talking about using ethanol as a substitute for petroleum. Save a tree use upvc ! It gets better - the 2008 BRE Green Guide to Specification has given PVCu an ‘A’ rating. GIGO, obviously, but it will be in the guide at least until the next update.

Monty

Only time will tell.

We know wood lasts the distance.

There are houses that are 400 years old that have their original windows.

Many people have taken their uPVC out and replaced them with proper windows (windows that will last the distance)

Blackee · 24-03-2010 10:34PM

"each window a single pane. Cost approx 1000 euro + VAT per window!!! This was the best quote we got & we shopped around ... a lot!! "

Hi i know this is an oldish post - just wondering was it a local company you used in the end? did you try pricing the windows in the north or uk or just all irish...? in similar situation, our windows are probably going to be the biggest spend but just want to make sure getting best value?
Thanks a mil.

tophurler · 09-06-2010 07:56PM

Price is a huge issue when it comes to building, timber sash are very expensive and can be as much as 11/2 or twice price of uPVC. Have you tried <SNIP>?

Mod edit. Do not post business names here please. This is one of the many problems with dragging up old threads. This practice is getting more and more common round here but enough is enough.

Thread locked.

Sliding sash windows

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