New windows in cottage renovation

[yjones]

Hi,
We're renovating a cottage. We have 5 sash windows at front; and 8 casement windows to the rear. All need replacing. Id like to stick with timber rather than PVC.
Ive got a few questions:
1) Where's a good place to order windows? (which is a good compromise between quality and affordability)
2) Ive looked at the Jeld-wen catalogue, but it doesnt look like they install. Do I need to get a proper window installer to install the windows or can a builder do it?
3) Is it worth getting hardwood or softwood? (hardwood is obviously more expensive)
Thanks!

 

[Gazman16]

1. Cant recommend any manufactures for you personally, In my experience modern timber is rubbish full stop.
2. Builder can do it but you would need to get building control to sign it off and a builder wont generally give any fitting guarantees. Get some quotes from local double glazing company's as they "should" at least provide around a 10 year guarantee and be able to sign them off.
3. PVC! failing that hardwood. Softwood unlikely to last even 5 years.

I do think you should reconsider PVC you really can hardly tell the difference (except for being cheaper, Warmer, Maintenance & hassle free).
This is a few pics of a very basic one (cheapest options) before and after that I did recently.

You can go for higher end PVC ones like these http://www.roseview.co.uk/products/ultimate-rose/

Not vastly more expensive but have things like:
Astragal bars (bars externally on the glass)
Mechanically jointed rather than corner welds
Wood grain finish rather than flat plastic

 

[Gazman16]

As for the casements have a look at http://www.residencecollection.co.uk/

 

[God]

I would go R9 Or R7. This is a R9 we fitted a year ago.

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[God]

This is a R9 we fitted a while ago...sexy

 

[God]

 

[Gazman16]

Hello God
Quickslide for your sliders I take it? Ive got one of their samples but didn't like the moldings or the Astragal miters on them so I have stuck with VS for standard sliders.
They are a bit of a pain with after-sales stuff but they do look much nicer in my opinion.

Haven't fitted any of the Roseview ones yet but I saw them at the FIT show and they do look very nice.

 

[God]

That is a synseal vs. We normally get ours from them and never been to bad. Just ordered 5 x rehau heritage which are due in 3weeks so we will see how they go. Was going to use roseview but easier to get them rom our existing supplier. The vs in the picture was fitted in the existing box that is why all the trims are on it. I was down your way last week for the weekend

 

[yjones]

Hmm, these PVC ones look pretty good. Id like to see them in real life to be convinced. Will softwood really only last 5 years!? Im in Exeter, do you know any good installers who have showrooms?

 

[God]

I can supply these to Exeter if you have a builder who wants to fit them.

 

[Gazman16]

Exeter, Your probably somewhere in the middle of God and I (that just sounds wrong for some reason lol).

Oops no Just spotted your in Kent, I thought you were Cornwall way (maybe thats Crank?). I'm in Somerset.

They do look better in a colour with Astragal bars in my opinion

 

[crank39]

Nah i'm up in the midlands, isn't DH frames down somerset area?

 

[Gazman16]

Oops lol I knew one of you were down my way

 

[ronniecabers]

Is that VS express you use Gazman? If so we use them too ( we're based North Devon ) , have to say they are a very good vertical slider, used Quantum in the past ( Corby ) but aftersales from them is just absolute rubbish. I totally agree that PVc now is getting to look just as good as wood. We did a job locally in chartwell green vertical sliders and every one thought they were wood!

 

[yjones]

ronniecabers / Gazman16: Looks like youre both fairly local to me. Do you know any 'window showrooms' in Devon that I can go along to see the quality of modern-day PVC windows? Im sold on PVC if they look *almost* as good as wood. Thanks