27-12-2013, 05:28 PM
Hi,
Whilst out in the car one day; Bron and I noticed a rather nice stone cottage which at first looked wonderful in its new hardwood window frames until we saw one of the frames was peeling? These were in fact plastic frames with a surface finish resembling hardwood and when newly installed I bet they looked a picture. Imagine paying extra to have the surface peel away like this?
I don't want David to feel obligated in replying concerning his new top quality plastic windows but Bron and I were most impressed by what we saw; looking around David's street there were plenty of plastic window frames to be seen but David's were much better in appearance because the glazing units were symmetrical; the non opening units having infill frames to give a balanced look. other of David's neighbours have also copied and the installer has been extremely busy in that one street.
John who bought my compressor last night was telling me stories of his neighbours who have had plastic windows fitted; John lives in Steeton so is also subjected to our lovely Yorkshire weather. On a windy day john said he could actually see the double glazed units flexing resulting in early failure of the double glazing seals; one of his neighbours has had the same window replaced twice in one year.
How many plastic frames with double glazed units are going to last fifty years? Our bungalow was built around 1963 and retains both the softwood frames and double glazed units; the front bedroom unit started to fail about five years ago and now is very poor indeed being mostly misted up but the front room window of 12' in length being three sections has only just started to fail; some days the misting completely disappears but obviously this is a sign to replace them?
I'm very much undecided as to what I'll eventually settle on regarding replacements. I'm not doing anything until at least it warms up outside then I'll closely inspect the softwood frames which appear to be in excellent original condition but as Lawrence rightly states who knows what frames look like on the inside until exposed?
Granted as I grow older home maintenance needs reducing as much as possible but I don't want to make a mistake by having plastic windows installed only to replace them within a few years? I could even make new frames out of suitable durable hardwood or Western Red Cedar which is extremely durable even though it is a softwood;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thuja_plicata
I've got plenty of options to choose from but until I establish the condition of our original frames I'll keep an open mind. Bron and I prefer timber frames but having seen David's plastic frames close up we could be swayed to go plastic. Decisions; decisions?
In spite of the bad weather I carried the new small SIP compressor into the garage and did a bit of tidying up; when the new big compressor arrives I'll have three compressors once again to choose from. The smallest is a dedicated air brush compressor; the medium is the SIP bought brand new with nail gun and the new one bought but not yet received is a 3hp model. Another 20 degree rise on temperature outside will cheer me up.
Kind regards, Col.
Whilst out in the car one day; Bron and I noticed a rather nice stone cottage which at first looked wonderful in its new hardwood window frames until we saw one of the frames was peeling? These were in fact plastic frames with a surface finish resembling hardwood and when newly installed I bet they looked a picture. Imagine paying extra to have the surface peel away like this?
I don't want David to feel obligated in replying concerning his new top quality plastic windows but Bron and I were most impressed by what we saw; looking around David's street there were plenty of plastic window frames to be seen but David's were much better in appearance because the glazing units were symmetrical; the non opening units having infill frames to give a balanced look. other of David's neighbours have also copied and the installer has been extremely busy in that one street.
John who bought my compressor last night was telling me stories of his neighbours who have had plastic windows fitted; John lives in Steeton so is also subjected to our lovely Yorkshire weather. On a windy day john said he could actually see the double glazed units flexing resulting in early failure of the double glazing seals; one of his neighbours has had the same window replaced twice in one year.
How many plastic frames with double glazed units are going to last fifty years? Our bungalow was built around 1963 and retains both the softwood frames and double glazed units; the front bedroom unit started to fail about five years ago and now is very poor indeed being mostly misted up but the front room window of 12' in length being three sections has only just started to fail; some days the misting completely disappears but obviously this is a sign to replace them?
I'm very much undecided as to what I'll eventually settle on regarding replacements. I'm not doing anything until at least it warms up outside then I'll closely inspect the softwood frames which appear to be in excellent original condition but as Lawrence rightly states who knows what frames look like on the inside until exposed?
Granted as I grow older home maintenance needs reducing as much as possible but I don't want to make a mistake by having plastic windows installed only to replace them within a few years? I could even make new frames out of suitable durable hardwood or Western Red Cedar which is extremely durable even though it is a softwood;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thuja_plicata
I've got plenty of options to choose from but until I establish the condition of our original frames I'll keep an open mind. Bron and I prefer timber frames but having seen David's plastic frames close up we could be swayed to go plastic. Decisions; decisions?
In spite of the bad weather I carried the new small SIP compressor into the garage and did a bit of tidying up; when the new big compressor arrives I'll have three compressors once again to choose from. The smallest is a dedicated air brush compressor; the medium is the SIP bought brand new with nail gun and the new one bought but not yet received is a 3hp model. Another 20 degree rise on temperature outside will cheer me up.
Kind regards, Col.
Happiness is a wreck of a cabinet to restore.
