Replacement Windows - what's the point?

[Bargain Bucket]

Many of our UPVC windows are now 27 years old and getting tired so I'm looking to replace them (I know I could just replace glass, seals, hinges etc but the frames themselves look really shabby now so I would like to replace the whole lot). The glass is old tech and of course new glass has much better insulation properties. But what's the point of having glass that insulates so well if you have a hole in the frame to provide ventilation? Surely the ventilation hole completely negates all the good work that the new super insulating glass does in keeping a room warm? Or am I missing something here?

 

[johnny2007]

It's all to do with being "GREEN".
You seal your house to the point that a cosmic winter won't affect it, but then you drill massive holes in the walls, subfloor and windows to prevent living in a rainforest.
Total nonsense.
In many years I worked in many properties of all ages and those built after the war are the best.
Cavity brick walls and bog standard roof that doesn't leak.
They accept cavity wall insulation and rafters rock wool.
They're warm and don't suffer from damp.
Of course, opening the windows everyday to ventilate works wonders.
New properties from 2000 onwards...I refused to do any work on them.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

It's nothing to do with being green, its about maintaining ventilation. Replacing old leaky non airtight windows with 100% sealed replacement will inevitably lead to less ventilation. But unfortunately our esteemed leaders have made it mandatory, withdrawing the right to open a window as and when it may be required.

That said I wouldn't mind if our house had trickle vents, various windows around this place suffer from condensation on the inside in the mornings in the colder/wetter months but alas I've long since given up the 'leave the window open a tad to solve the problem' argument.

If you fit the windows yourself and get Building Control to sign them off they won't approve it without vents. Fensa approved fitters must also refuse to fit windows without vents nowadays however I have heard of some Fensa suppliers/fitters who will turn a blind eye and still give you a certificate.

Or don't bother with the approval or use a non Fensa supplier/fitter if you don't care about such things. Also you can get night vent keeps that enable the window to be kept open overnight but remain secure. But when you specify the windows you might want to make sure there is enough space in the window heads to accommodate a vent if you decide you need them after all.

 

[crank39]

Or get PIV ventilation

 

[ronniecabers]

Night vent catches wont pass either ..
Honeslty most in the industry totally agree with you that trickle vents are pointless. As Freddie says its about ventilation, stems from the high profile case of a young child dying in a black mould ridden house in Leeds I believe...educating people about the for ventilating properties would be good , especially those who insist on drying washing in the house ... without ventilation!
Totally agree with Crank though , PiV systems are a great way of doing without trickle vents, and relatively cheap and easy to get installed in the grand scheme of things

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

PiV systems are a great way of doing without trickle vents, and relatively cheap and easy to get installed in the grand scheme of things

But in the reality your house is still being ventilated just a different way to trickle vents. It's physiological, get over it!

 

[ronniecabers]

Im confused there Freddy. What do I need to get over? I agree that PIV systems ventilate and so do trickle vents, just PIV isnt a hole in new frame

 

[aveatry]

I have older uPVC windows and had a few blow which then get condensation on the inside but once I replaced the glass with argon filled and coated glass with black anti cold bridging spacer bars then that same window no longer has condensation, and to touch in the winter actually feels warm compared to an older glass unit next to it.
So just replace the glass yourself with current spec and no Fensa needed.
I also replaced the rubber seal gasket that had gone a little hard.

 

[aveatry]

Im confused there Freddy. What do I need to get over? I agree that PIV systems ventilate and so do trickle vents, just PIV isnt a hole in new frame

A mate had new windows and the "hole" for the vent was made by banging on a 25mm high frame extension on the top but not one length, it was 2 short lengths that were too short to meet in the middle and therefore created a "hole" when a second full length 25mm extension was banged on the top of that.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Im confused there Freddy. What do I need to get over? I agree that PIV systems ventilate and so do trickle vents, just PIV isnt a hole in new frame

Apologies, it wasn't aimed at you Ronnie, hence you don't need to get over anything, we know you you clearly understand the concept. My post was aimed (poorly) at anyone thinking otherwise.