Replace failing double glazing on timber windows

[Sup9]

Not a DIY job but thought I'd ask here for some experienced/expert advices.

I have timber framed windows in my house and a lot of the double glazing are failed, some sealing are cracked and tired too. I'm looking to replace the glazing with double glazing for back rooms and triple glazing for front (facing the road). But I 've noticed the original double glazing looks thin compared to the example Anglian Sales showed to me, so I'm not sure if glazing company will be able to install the double/triple glazing to my window frames - I'm looking to get some glazing company to come and advise in the next few weeks time.

But I am more concerned about the noise reduction performance for timber framed windows compared to the modern uPVC windows? If I can get similar results by just replacing with new double/triple glazing then I'll definitely keeping the timber frame and go with all triple glazing if I had to - even it means more maintenance if required in the future. If not, I'll probably have to consider the uPVC option as new timber windows are too expensive ( only had a quote from Anglian so far).

 

[Gazman16]

Firstly always avoid the big national company's like the plague. Unless of course you like paying twice as much for a lower grade product.
Go to local company's with recommendations from friends and family, Always worth asking on Facebook.

Triple glazing is a sales gimmick for the most part. Unless you have huge windows everywhere or live in a very cold climate (maybe Scotland) then the energy they save will never repay the additional cost. They can actually be worse for sound transmission due to the smaller air gaps.
Triple glazing should be at least 36mm thick. Ideally 44+mm though which will likely make it impossible on your windows by the sound of it.

How old are your windows and can you post some pics? If you have that many failed units I would guess your windows are 10 years+ old and were never designed properly to take DGU's. If you replace I expect you would struggle to get more than a 1 year guarantee and will likely be replacing them every 5 years or so anyway.

I would go full PVC replacement 100%. Modern timber is just rubbish in my opinion and unless you really keep ontop of the maintenance you may have to do it all again in 10 years.

There are some amazing PVC windows about nowadays, Take a look at these:
http://www.residencecollection.co.uk/

Those are high end and about the same price as softwood timber. There are many other makes in-between those and standard PVC though

 

[Gazman16]

Oh and for noise reduction avoid acoustic glass options, Very expensive for little gain.
Best results are thick curtains or secondary glazing with a 100mm air gap from the windows

 

[Sup9]

Firstly always avoid the big national company's like the plague. Unless of course you like paying twice as much for a lower grade product.
Go to local company's with recommendations from friends and family, Always worth asking on Facebook.

Triple glazing is a sales gimmick for the most part. Unless you have huge windows everywhere or live in a very cold climate (maybe Scotland) then the energy they save will never repay the additional cost. They can actually be worse for sound transmission due to the smaller air gaps.
Triple glazing should be at least 36mm thick. Ideally 44+mm though which will likely make it impossible on your windows by the sound of it.

How old are your windows and can you post some pics? If you have that many failed units I would guess your windows are 10 years+ old and were never designed properly to take DGU's. If you replace I expect you would struggle to get more than a 1 year guarantee and will likely be replacing them every 5 years or so anyway.

I would go full PVC replacement 100%. Modern timber is just rubbish in my opinion and unless you really keep ontop of the maintenance you may have to do it all again in 10 years.

There are some amazing PVC windows about nowadays, Take a look at these:
http://www.residencecollection.co.uk/

Those are high end and about the same price as softwood timber. There are many other makes in-between those and standard PVC though

Hi Gazman,

Thanks a lot for your post, very informative.

The house was built in 1990s I believe, and these are the original windows I'm guessing- the neighbors have the same type of windows and the houses were built under one development.

The windows were not taken care of very well lately and definitely need a refurbish or replacement.

I've looked up the triple glazing and it's definitely too thick for the frames. By acoustic glass did you mean the noise reduction glass where they have different thickness glasses - like double glazing but 3mm and 4mm put together?

The RC windows looks very good from their website but do you have recommendations of the brands in mid range?

 

[Gazman16]

Come across (or rather rip out those windows) all the time, They were never designed properly to take DGU's, Not enough edge seal and rebate not big enough for proper width units or ventilation. Also they had no drainage.
So as I said DGU's will never last long in them and you will be constantly replacing them. Have seen them fail in under a year before.

Here are a few other makes:
http://www.deceuninck.com/uk/heritage-flush-sash.aspx
https://www.liniar.co.uk/windows/flush-sash/
https://www.eurocell.co.uk/pvc-u-trade/windows/modus
http://www.awcg.co.uk/index.php/products/timberlook-pvcu-flush-sash-windows/

To be honest your windows are nothing special, Most people just replace them with standard Rosewood PVC

 

[crank39]

Just boggo standard John Carr/Boulton and Paul windows them, just fast grown pressure treated softwood, no nails or screws used just long staples, they were alright for what they were at the time but there comes a point where no matter how many times you stain them they just stop looking fresh and new and south facing you'd probably have to do them at least every 2 years but more like every year, many estates went up with those windows just like mine, most have put rosewood pvc in, some have gone white while I'm the only one brave enough to go grey, talk of the street I am

 

[Sup9]

Come across (or rather rip out those windows) all the time, They were never designed properly to take DGU's, Not enough edge seal and rebate not big enough for proper width units or ventilation. Also they had no drainage.
So as I said DGU's will never last long in them and you will be constantly replacing them. Have seen them fail in under a year before.

Here are a few other makes:
http://www.deceuninck.com/uk/heritage-flush-sash.aspx
https://www.liniar.co.uk/windows/flush-sash/
https://www.eurocell.co.uk/pvc-u-trade/windows/modus
http://www.awcg.co.uk/index.php/products/timberlook-pvcu-flush-sash-windows/

To be honest your windows are nothing special, Most people just replace them with standard Rosewood PVC

Sorry for not replying for some time, been traveling a lot lately...
Thanks a lot for the recommendations, will look into these brands and get some quotes.
Not saying the windows are any special, just quite liking the feel of wood frames and these are narrower compared to the usual PVC windows. But my priority is to reduce the noise so I'll probably just have to replace them all with PVC.

 

[Sup9]

Just boggo standard John Carr/Boulton and Paul windows them, just fast grown pressure treated softwood, no nails or screws used just long staples, they were alright for what they were at the time but there comes a point where no matter how many times you stain them they just stop looking fresh and new and south facing you'd probably have to do them at least every 2 years but more like every year, many estates went up with those windows just like mine, most have put rosewood pvc in, some have gone white while I'm the only one brave enough to go grey, talk of the street I am

You are right the handles have John Carr logo... sounds like not a worthy investment to refurb these windows. I'm looking at the PVC options and quite liking the idea of two colours - white inside and wood grin exterior, considering to go for a lighter colour not the rosewood to give the house a little morden/fresh look.

 

[Tigercubrider]

If It's for noise, I would first replace the double glazing- probably the windows, but consider secondary double glazing to add the third layer. As big a gap as you can

A decent metal frame with glass, not a plastic system

 

[Sup9]

If It's for noise, I would first replace the double glazing- probably the windows, but consider secondary double glazing to add the third layer. As big a gap as you can

A decent metal frame with glass, not a plastic system

I'm thinking to replace a room with all new PVC windows see how much noise it reduces, because I think the windows' glazing are failing and seals are gone which lets the noise comes in from the leaks. If not then have to consider the third layer but don't think will like the look of it.