(edit title) Need to replace windows In older house Options

[BritVik]

Then that sounds like the right way to go. With a service like that you won't notice the work being done. You will still have the four sides of glass to clean however. But the result will be worth it. I remember the verandah on the last house - single glass, single panel woodwork, and it opened into the entrance hall- -25° outside, -24° inside. Having to make the change there had to be outside of 'the season', and I came home from one of my courses in February to find the whole verandah one big opening, and it was snowing like . . . But the eventual difference was well worth it. Insulated walls, triple glazing, and a huge drop in oil consumption with a corresponding increase in temperature indoors.You can perhaps appreciate what I mean. The current owner no longer operates it as a B & B.

[DaveN]

According to my ICA book on old houses, these old 2 pane windows are designed to allow air movement from the outside between the panes/frames, in order to keep the glass condensation free. So in theory having just the outer pane replaced with a sealed unit will not make any difference as cold air will still be circulating between this and the existing inner pane.

[Rick Methven]

The inner pane is replaced .

Here is the government brochure on the subject

[DaveN]

Ah, well earlier you said "I am looking at getting quotes for having the outside half of the window re glazed with double glazing and leaving the inside pane in place"

That's why I said it won't work. But now you're talking about having the inner pane replace, in which case it will work.

[roodkapje]

I have replaced one of the two glass panels with isolation glass, in that way the original frames are still there. (I was very keen to keep them as the quality is good and I really like them) They could not fit in dubble glass (to get 3 layers of glass) without extended work, and the benefit compaired to the extra cost was minimal. I did half the windows last year and the other half in January. The difference is amazing if I held my hand in front of the window with original glass and the isolation glass.
Another thing what was interesting, half my windows were taken out in January at 7.30 in the morning,(I closed the curtains, just normal curtains not very thick) the outside temp was minus 5 with no wind, the inside temp was 18 celcius. When the windows were returned at 16.00, the inside temp was still 10 C! I did not expect that. I thought I needed to run the tap every 30 minutes to prevent it freezing, not necessary.
I find it amazing that the temp only went down 8 degrees, wonderfull wooden houses.

[160kph]

I don't know if you found anyone but I just remembered the company who replaced our window's (leaving the existing frames) in our old flat.

Windoor

[entry]

Rick, I think if you call three or four building contractors(or even local real estate agent) out of the phone book in your area you will be able to solicit quotes or references quite rapidly. Larger contracting firms will most likely not want to deal with a few residential windows but might be all too happy to tell you where the building supply yards or specialized window contractors are located.

Good luck.

[Rick Methven]

I have got a good quote from a very local guy(150m away) that a friend of mine used. Now looking if any of the frames need replacing as a couple are a bit ropey.

[arthurpararas]

You could always save some money and put to your window glasses some heat insulation membranes from 3M or something like this...it's similar to the tint membranes we put on car glass and saves you from extensive cold...

[Rick Methven]

Not when it is -30C

[BritVik]

In my current house we have the triple-glazed windows, with energy-glass as the inner pane. They have advantages - and disadvantages. The latter being that the glass prevents 100% daylight reaching any plants on the inner window ledges, with the result that they tend to fade somewhat. Add to that, our roof has quite an overhang, which adds to the light cut-off - whilst providing a patch of dry to walk on, on the outside patio which doesn't have a roof (ref another thread on here) so the poor plants suffer especially during the winter. But the triple glazing units (Made in Norway) at least mean that there are but two sides to be cleaned!!
The windows in the previous house, in the photo in my earlier posting in this thread, were purpose made by Tanums Fönster, to the dimensions provided by the previous owner, but he forgot that some windows needed to be made to open for cleaning, and with several of the windows we had to hang out of the open window to reach the one above. Not much fun one floor up. However his ideas meant that the house retained its outlook, and even thought it was triple-glazed, the windows still matched the original design of the façade.
When I think back to the bungalow I bought in England, where the fit of the window sash in the frame was such that you could sit there and look out through the gaps - - - and single glass to boot, and 25mm - yes mm. of fibreglass over the ceiling - that was insulation to be sure. But then, you didn't need insulation in your homes back then. Big open fire and thick curtains and carpeting ...

[Uglybetty66]

This is the sort of query that brings out the best of the people on this forum. I am looking at the replies with interest as I need to work on my own windows. But mine is more of a first aid problem - replacing cracked window panes etc- rather than full blown surgery.

[tjackson]

I think vinyl double pane windows good for your home and these are functional, protective and attractive. You can easily find these products in USA.

[entry]

This is the sort of query that brings out the best of the people on this forum. I am looking at the replies with interest as I need to work on my own windows. But mine is more ... (show full quote)

This is the sort of query that brings out the best of the people on this forum. I am looking at the replies with interest as I need to work on my own windows. But mine is more of a first aid problem - replacing cracked window panes etc- rather than full blown surgery. ... (hide full quote)

Always hated cutting glass, putting in the putty and having to paint afterwards but as children that was what was expected when we broke windows. The modern windows like automobiles have limited end user serviceable parts.