Mad to remove? Cost of repair?

[dishman]

Hello

This is kind of a follow on from the windows forum. I posted about my leaded light windows, and asked if I should get rid and replace with upvc or if they were keepers.

The opinion was wholeheartedly that I would be mad to get rid of them.

So, now it comes down to cost of repair. I have some joiners qualified in restoration work coming and have a look at them at some point soon. As always, it is nice to be given some opinions from anyone here, as to what to expect.

The windows have not been maintained on a regular basis. However they are in a relatively sheltered position which has protected them somewhat. They are fine on the inside, but in a bit of a scratty state on the outside. I have given the window sill a good tap all the way round, and apart from how it looks, it feels pretty solid. The joins on the openers (tenon joint?) look a bit weak in places. I cannot see any major rot. It is all original 1930s softwood (quality heartwood of the period).

Based on all these images, what is anyone’s opinion on their state and possible repair cost. Is it just a good strip, sand and repaint, with minor repairs, or something more major?

This is just one of the bays, the other looks in much better condition. I have taken images of the worse areas. The under sill images had to be taken with a flash which kinde of made it look like there is a problem or rot, but it is just a reflection, it is all solid underneath as far as I can see.


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[gregers]

any bad bits then resin repair them.

 

[munchingB]

you have paint flaking off them and youre talking about replacing them?

i know nothing-seriously.

but that wood looks nice and solid and dry!

just strip the paint, fill what ever needs doing and repaint them.

there is one pic there with a gouge out of the wood and even that looks like someone forgot the door key and tried to break into their own house..but not rot!

you crazy brah : /

 

[dishman]

I am having real trouble finding joiners who are keen to take on restoration work like this.

I am getting massive quotes (£2500 per bay!) or get the impression that they would rather just rip them out and replace with new timber/double glazed (because it is easier and cheaper for them!).

It feels like this work is too labour intensive for most people to want to bother.

The quotes I got were based on high quality photos I sent (so no visual inspection yet), but £2500 per bay sounds an awful lot. That would be maybe £6000 in total (there are other smaller windows), not including unforseen major bits of repair. I don't think these quotes would include lead repair either. Then there is possibly secondary glazing....

What do people think of the quotes...£2500 per bay? Does it look like they are trying to just put me off?

 

[rjm2k]

What are you expecting the joiners to do, the wood looks undamaged so it seems all you need is to strip the paint, fill where needed and re-paint, not sure you really need a joiner for that. You could DIY it quite easily. Just don't go near the glass with a heat gun or you may crack it.

 

[AronSearle]

What do people think of the quotes...£2500 per bay? Does it look like they are trying to just put me off?

Your on a DIY forum

They don't look in too bad condition.

Get cracking yourself, sand em.

If you find any decay, scrape it out, use some epoxy to fill it, replace those rusted bent hinges, and repaint.

Do it whilst the weather still holds up.

 

[ichicoo]

Hi Dishman,

Fantastic looking windows, I wish we still had our original 1930's windows.

Do all the windows open? If there are some that are sticking or stuck closed then this may suggest that the wood has swollen and maybe a bigger problem than the pictures suggest. If they do open and there is no visible signs of rot then a good sand (or possible paint remover) filler, prime, undercoat and gloss and I bet they will look as good as new.

Regards,

Adrian

 

[dishman]

Hi Dishman,

Fantastic looking windows, I wish we still had our original 1930's windows.

Do all the windows open? If there are some that are sticking or stuck closed then this may suggest that the wood has swollen and maybe a bigger problem than the pictures suggest. If they do open and there is no visible signs of rot then a good sand (or possible paint remover) filler, prime, undercoat and gloss and I bet they will look as good as new.

Regards,

Adrian

Most of the large openers (all bar one) have been permanently sealed in the past (I assume for drafts, but mainly for security downstairs). One of the small openers is a quite stiff (and this is on the much better upstairs bay which has no major paint pealing, in fact the large opener below it opens fine) but I do not think it's a major issue, we just have not opened it regularly for ages.

Getting a joiner to assess them tomorrow, but he thinks (from the images), that they do not look too bad really, and may just require minor work and a good re-paint as you say.

 

[ichicoo]

All sounds very promising.

Once the work is done it would be great to see photos of the windows fully revamped.

Regards,

Adrian

 

[joe-90]

Get a 1/4 sheet electric sander with the best 80 grit sandpaper (Bright yellow made by Dulux). They'll come up a treat.

 

[dishman]

Small update:

Joiner came round today. His opinion was that there was nothing wrong with them at all, and apart from looking tatty and having the odd area that needs filling or wood splicing in, they are in very good condition.

When I mentioned that they hadn't been painted or had anything done to them for 20+ years he could not believe it. He said it just proves the quality of the wood they used.

He recommended we get a good decorator and just repaint.

He said the sill would need sanding/stripping bare and repainting, but in other areas it may just need roughing and painting over the top.