The original windows were Victorian vertical sashes counter balanced by
iron sash weights concealed in boxes that were and integral part of the
window frame - the normal item for the period.
When we moved into the house in 1990 the windows were not in that bad a
state, some sash cords needed changing and there was some rot to deal with
in the bay window downstairs but otherwise considering their age they were
in quite a fair condition.
Problems
- Even though in reasonable condition they were still rattling in
their frames and rather draughty.
- The single glazing offered very little insulation and was probably a
thinner and more fragile glass than would currently be used.
- Security was a concern as the traditional catches are notoriously
easy to open from the outside , with the aid of a knife.
- With children in the house we were concerned about possible
consequences of sash cords breaking etc...
- Compared to modern windows they were going to be high maintenance
Attempted Solutions
Initially we decided to try and work around the problems, gradually all
the windows were renovated, sash cords replaced and draught excluders
fitted. This made a marked improvement but still left us with single
gazing and while secondary glazing was an option previous experiences did
not encourage us to go down this road.
An attempt was made to rebuild the main sash in the front room to see
if we could not find a way of accommodating a double glazed sealed unit;
while the experiment was partially successful it did not inspire
confidence and probably caused as many problems as it solved. The weight
of the new sash once glazed was horrendous and I had to caste some lead
counterweights to cope with it (the lead coming from some old lead organ
pipes, a remnant of the Old St Mark's Church demolished in the late 1980's
), this of course put extra strain on the sash cords causing fears for
their safety etc... while the sashes did hold and disasters were avoided
the general cumbersome nature on the resulting sash together with fears
for it's safety really required another solution.
The Final Solution.
About 1995 we successfully applied for a full renovation grant as part
of which it was stipulated that all the windows should be replaced. it
must be said at this stage economics was the deciding factor in most
choices and PVC windows were and probably still are the most economical
way forward with our only real hope in preserving the character of the
house in choosing a appropriate style. That said the new windows did
contribute considerably to the comfort and convenience of the house and
probably have saved a lot of money as well in terms of heating costs.