We moved to a 1920's bungalow and many of the windows need replacing. Can anyone enlighten me or give links to exlain the difference between aluminium, upvc and wood frame. We need double or triple glazing and the hose lacks light. Many thanks!

aluminium frames are what double glazing used to comprise of when it first came out. Nowadays, the windows come in a much more durable upvc. You can get upvc double glazing in wood coloured or white frames, according to your preference.

Some people prefer to have wooden frames. This will require a certain level of maintenance - painting / varnishing.

The choice is pretty much a cosmetic one. Which do you prefer the look of?


As to triple glazing... well unless you live somewhere really noisy, then you don't really need it. double glazing ought to be sufficient for most properties.

Ary.

There are also companies who make steel windows to match the originals - these are powdercoated so the finish is long lasting, and they will certainly outperform plastic (life) and aluminium (toughness).

I know you want it bright and airy but you probably bought the wrong house! Just pick bright colours and furnishings.

Good luck.

Do get a few quotes from different companies-not so much the money, but windows can be different in design and build-modern technology means some frames are thinner, thus letting in a bit more light, so do compare the product and don't presume they are all the same. Don't want to sound like I'm telling you how to suck eggs though!

And also white UPVC is cheaper than the brown 'wood look' UPVC and real wood would obviously be the most expensive choice.

quote:

aluminium frames are what double glazing used to comprise of when it first came out. Nowadays, the windows come in a much more durable upvc.

don't know if aluminium is any less durable - I've just moved to a house (one of 40) that has the original 1979 aluminium frames. So do the majority of houses of the 40. the seals appear to be original and intact. the only problem I can see is condensation on the cold metal (although there is a drip channel).

Paper party - you don;t say what is there at the moment. Is it aluminium? I think aluminium has an aesthetic plus. Before moving in I thought that as I have a 70's house I could throw in any old cheap white windows as I'm hardly at the cutting edge of design. However, the aluminium frames have a very slim profile compared to UPVC so in the houses that do have them they look very bulky and obtrusive.

do think carefully about the look of your house though.... the muppet that owned our victorian terrace before us put awful fake leaded PVC windows into it and much as we love the house we just hate them (and it will have probably lowered the value)
H

My mum had anodized aluminium frames done long ago by Alpine. They were a nightmare for condensation on the frames themselves ,in the Winter and Spring. She now has PVC and is thrilled she doesnt have to mop up each morning.

Quite a lot to consider. Current windows are wood frame and pretty rotton. They have double glazing panels in them which look awful because you can see all the aluminium foil round the edges. Condensation could be an issue too. No cavity walls so the house is cold (detatched bungalow) and costing a fortune to heat. As for buying the wrong house - definately not. It was the only suitable one we found for my wheelchair - you just wouldn't believe the complications that throws into the equation of house purchase!!!! If it was brighter and warmer we would be two steps from heaven!!

Ah, yes, that Would make it a lot harder to find somewhere suitable... so few homes are convertable, let alone convertable cheaply and easily.

Modern double-glazing is much better than what would have beeninstalled in your house. You should get at least 10 years before you start seeing condensation inside any of the windows (probably longer); and the sound and heat proofing is rather good.

How about you get a sales rep to come around with some sample window frames for you to look at (double glazing shops are usually quite tight for space, so that you can have a see for yourself what is available?

Ary.

Good idea Aryldi. They should also have some photos of jobs they've done on local properties so you can see the end result once installed.

I wrote this in a previous post about an online advice centre called
Window Advice Centre

Just copied it for here since when choosing double glazing there's quiet a lot of difference between a good window and a bad one. A bad one has no strength, discolours and no great benefit for heat, cold or condensation.


Nothing wrong with sites like these really, they get you to put forward the job you require then put it out to tender to a few companies (from 3 to 10... tho 10 is a lot) and the company then contacts you to arrange to send a rep round or if they've taken your measurements they then give you a quote and hopefully a detailed spec of the window they are selling.

Here's a few pointers on what to look out for

internally beaded window frames for security

all joints welded together not screwed and glued

20mm air gap between glass and proper sealed units NOT sealed with rubber which erodes and causes misting of unit. You can tell quite easily on a medium to large window if it's a good sealed unit by knocking it. If it soounds like you're knocking glass it is not good. If it sounds like a thud it is !

pilkington glass, has to be k glass (low emmission)in house windows

Grade A uPVC is best, first call on uPVC so stays white for years aposed to going grey and dirty looking

Multi point locking - are all the corners covered from being jemmied as well as the bottom

Hmmm... i think that's about it

Tho for prices, that varies hugely. The small local company always seems to be favoured on here tho for my opinion medium sized local companies are best as they have a proper factor for making the windows aposed to buying them in or making them up out the back.

Have fun !