Un-biased View - Am I mad to get rid of these

[dishman]

About to start major renovations and one major component that needs to be decided on, is what to do with the original 1930s leaded lights.

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I have looked at every option. They are in reasonably good condition as far as I am aware and just need a good bit of renovation to bring them into a good state of repair.

My Options

1) I can either just replace them with plain UPVC (or get "fake lead strips" to match the design).

2) Encapsulate the original leads between double glazed glass (effectively triple glazing them). Expensive and as they are sandwiched, their effect is reduced. However, this is maybe one of the best way to retain the original leads. I have considered doing this with new timber windows but I think this would really blow the budget.

3) Secondary glaze them. I have found a company that specialises in barely visible/unobtrusive (made to match) quality secondary glazing. They do things for heritage buildings. This option is looking most attractive (If i decide to retain them) if their system proves to be good. The resulting u-value is as competitive as double glazing.

I am not in a conservation area but my house is nearly the last in the entire street with the leads.

So....I need an unbiased opinion. Some think I am mad to even consider keeping them and need to move with the times and get UPVC, others think they should be kept and am mad to part with them.

What is the view, am I mad to consider ripping them out? Am I being too sentimental? Do they even look nice or do they look a bit crappy?

Many thanks

 

[OwainDIYer]

They are gorgeous and you would be barking mad to remove them.

You will be lucky if replacement plastic windows last 30 years and they will look unutterably naff.

4th option is just to draughtproof the frames, use some thermal lined curtains, and just accept the window won't be up to modern insulation standards and compensate by better insulation elsewhere.

 

[God]

Repair what needs to be done and fit secondary

 

[kbdiy]

Assuming the rest of the house hasn't been tampered with then for sure you need to repair and keep them.

 

[dishman]

Assuming the rest of the house hasn't been tampered with then for sure you need to repair and keep them.

The rest hasn’t been tampered with. I assume by this you mean inappropriate changes? It does howver need a lot of general rennovation.

All of the windows to the front and side elevations are leaded lights in the same design.

We do have UPVC on two rear windows - but those original windows were plain. The rest of the house is still in more or less original condition, lots of original internal features. We are planning a major extension but we intend to ensure that this is in-keeping with the existing design etc.

 

[TheVictorian]

I'd be keeping them and secondary glazing them if needed, although a good thick pair of curtains would provide more insulation than secondary glazing.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Ooh they're cracking, please leave them.

 

[OwainDIYer]

The rest of the house is still in more or less original condition, lots of original internal features.

That's estate-agent speak for pant-wettingly desirable and an extra £20k on the price.

 

[dishman]

The rest of the house is still in more or less original condition, lots of original internal features.

That's estate-agent speak for pant-wettingly desirable and an extra £20k on the price.

Haha, I said it had original features, I did not say what state they were in! Trust me, at the moment, until its renovated it has 20k coming off the price .

It does need a lot of TLC to bring it up to date. But it has all the original cornicing, picture rails, fireplaces (although one is in poor condition and the bedroom ones have gone), doors, even the fixed above head height kitchen cupboards look to be original.

The challenge is how we wrestle with these original features when we renovate and extend. But the windows is the big one I guess. I just watched the house over the road get similar ones ripped out yesterday (they were the only other ones in this part of the street) and replaced with UPVC and a copied lead strip design. I managed to get them to cut out the leads and I saved them. I even kept the wood for possible repairs.

 

[Lower]

We have faux leaded double glazed upvc bay windows in our 1920's house. Installed by the previous owners.

They are absolutely awful and we are going to spend in excess of £20k to replace perfectly presentable and serviceable windows with something more in keeping with the age of the house. We find them that offensive.

Keep the originals.

 

[JohnD]

Yes.

 

[tony1851]

You should have your knuckles rapped for even thinking of replacing them.

 

[dishman]

Thanks to all those who replied. It looks like (as I knew in my heart) I would be mad to remove these.

I am now strongly considering the cost of repair and possibly secondary glazing.

I have now posted further images and asked for people’s opinion as to the state of the exterior timber. A lot of the paint is peeling and there are some areas that may need repair. However I cannot see any major rot, just some weak areas. The window sill (although looks bad in areas) still feels very solid(given it a good tapping).

However I would appreciate people’s opinion before I get a joiner to quote for restoration. Does it look like it needs a lot of work (i.e. ripping out whole sections) or a good strip, minor repair and re-paint? What cost should I expect for this kind of work?

I have posted this in the woodwork forum as I think it is more appropriate there
//www.diynot.com/forums/woodwork/mad-to-remove-cost-of-repair.376797/

but feel free to post here.

The images are of the worst aread, the other bay and window are in better condition as far as I can see.

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[masona]

They are pretty good condition and can be repair on site. I'm pleased you're going to keep them as I make and repairs stained glass window as a hobby. It will add considerable value to your property by restoring windows to their original state.

 

[footprints]

A lot of work but well worth the effort, I would be inclined to give them a quick rub down to remove loose paint and a temp coat to protect them until the warmer weather next year. Starting to strip and refurbish in this weather you will be on a hiding to nothing.