new glass in existing frames vs new windows. which one?

Hi,
I have double pvc window frames. 20 years old and in ok conditions. Although the glass in many of them is gone. There condensation between the glasses and some are so bad that you can't even see through the glass.

My options are:
1- replace glass in existing frames, or
2- replace frames all together.

Which one to go with and the reason?

At which price different would you consider to go with new frames?

Only my opinion but at that age I'd go for complete new frames.....you then get the security and opening sashes you like.
There's a good chance the insulation factor would be much better too.
John

New DG is approx 28mm thick as standard, unlikely your old is any where near that so replace the windows.

Depends on what you want to spend

Put in new windows doors etc in an average house anywhere between £10/£20 K.

Have the "Misted Up" window glass removed measured and made up by a specialist Glass firm maybe £200 with labour. a Days work ?

I can tell you what a Double glazing firm would recommend, they will not be on the Customers side.

Bosswhite said:

Depends on what you want to spend

Put in new windows doors etc in an average house anywhere between £10/£20 K.

Have the "Misted Up" window glass removed measured and made up by a specialist Glass firm maybe £200 with labour. a Days work ?

I can tell you what a Double glazing firm would recommend, they will not be on the Customers side.

Click to expand...

Yes there is a big price different. Retrofit would cost 75% less than going with new windows (in triple glaze). The retrofit guy tells me that my frames have a 24mm DG at the moment. He also reckons he could retrofit a 28mm DG Low E glass with Argon gas. If he is able to do that I am confident that windows could be something in between 1.1-1.5 u value. The triple glaze windows they claim to be 0.8 u value in a 90mm frame (and I asumme 36mm TG).

Triple glazing is over the top really, Unless your in a very cold climate the extra cost over double glazing will never pay for itself with the heat that is saved.

24mm units are a good size and as your guy has said could be upgraded to low E coating with warm edge spacers and argon filled to bring you up to fairly modern standards.

How many units are blown? you could just replace the units as and when they go with modern spec units and have your drainage holes checked and cleaned at the same time. This will be your cheapest option. Its also fairly easy to diy saving alot more money.

With new modern windows all the parts (hinges, handles, gearboxs etc) are pretty generic and can be interchanged fairly easily but with some old window makes parts can be hard/expensive to find. Are you going to struggle to find replacement parts down the line when they start to wear out too? This is what I would say is the most important factor to consider.