When we lived in a cottage in a conservation area we used a localish joinery firm to make new single glazed (it was 15 years ago...maybe we could have had double glazed...not sure) hardwood windows and front door. Obviously they were all non standard sizes, but they too were cheaper than the alternatives we looked at, excluding fitting. Fitting was more expensive...and obviously they needed painting after installation. However when we sold the house 7 years later the paint still looked fine. I happened to walk past the house a couple of moths ago...so 17 years after they were fitted. I’m not convinced they’ve been painted since! But still looked good. You can’t beat wooden windows in a period property I don’t think.
The house I’m in now, which we bought almost 11 years ago, is Edwardian and still had wooden sash windows. We spent a five figure sum having them refurbished, including some replacement sashes and cills, but again almost 10 years later, albeit having been repainted once in that time, they’re fine. Everyone said, just replace with UPVC. But, they just don’t look right. As Z said, the frames are too thick and there’s no detailing. In order to combat cold and drafts, as Andy was at home a lot of the time, we had the windows refurbished and draft-proofed, increased insulation, new central heating and shutters on the huge downstairs bays, and ended up with a house that can get too warm when you light a fire. Not bad given it’s still single glazed and the ceilings are 10’ both up and down stairs!!
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