Replacement Windows?

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Replacement Windows?

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ele

Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Posts: 814
Location: Derby

Posted: Tue Oct 18, 05 2:23 pm Post subject: Replacement Windows?

continuing on from the laundry thread...

tawny owl wrote:

I think it's the type of wood. We were looking at something having a similar maintenance profie to UPVC (i.e. none!), which meant hardwood, and that was over double the UPVC prices. Whether it's cheaper now with the influx of new types of hardwood from overseas, I don't know.

I'd really like to replace my poor quality softwood windows in the next few years but the options seem dire;

uPVC = horrible to look at and an environmental nightmare
hardwood = beautiful but are tropical hardwood (therefore another massive environmental nightmare)
softwood = if it's tanalised .... environmental nightmare...

I know there's that company in Yorkshire that does eco friendly windows but I'm a bit put off by the cost and lack of fitting service.

I don't suppose anyone has got any suggestions?

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45676
Location: Essex

Posted: Tue Oct 18, 05 2:25 pm Post subject:
There are loads of nice windows nowadays, mostly Scandinavian. I think this link supplies some of them: www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk

ele

Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Posts: 814
Location: Derby

Posted: Tue Oct 18, 05 2:31 pm Post subject:

tahir wrote:

There are loads of nice windows nowadays, mostly Scandinavian. I think this link supplies some of them:

www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk

that's the yorshire company

has anyone used them? or know what their windows are like?

I guess if I go for something like that I fear whatever local window fitter I hire to fit them will do that teeth sucking thing and shake his head at me, rather like the local plumber who gave me a half hour lecture when I had the audacity to say I wanted a condensor boiler

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45676
Location: Essex

Posted: Tue Oct 18, 05 2:32 pm Post subject:
I've heard good things about them, and the owner is a director of AECB (www.aecb.net)

mark

Joined: 14 Jul 2005
Posts: 2191
Location: Leeds

Posted: Tue Oct 18, 05 3:17 pm Post subject:
IMHO the most eco-friendly option is to defer replacement as long as possible and to repair and maintain windows to keep them in good condition. When you do replace them replace with good quality wood from environmentally friendly sources and ensure maintenance (painting/varnishing) is regular!

Bazil

Joined: 26 Sep 2005
Posts: 181
Location: Near Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Posted: Tue Oct 18, 05 5:10 pm Post subject:

The other option is Aluminium windows and frames in a hardwood frame, personally, being a builder these are my favourite kind of windows.

Lows:
The most expensive windows besides hardwood, they can be more than some hardwood.
The frames are cold because of them being aluminium.

Highs:
They have an unlimited lifespan along with a hardwood frame which will last at least 100 years.
The cold frame is almost completely unnoticeable with regards to affecting room temperature.

As for the other types:
uPVC won't last forever and after a couple of years will fade and stain, a LOT of people will soon have to rip their windows out because uPVC are not all they are cracked up to be.

Softwood, a great option, but will last for 30 years tops if its a good wood. stained is best as paint traps in moisture and speeds up the rotting process.

Hardwood, expensive, lasts for a very long time, look great.

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