Our house is around 1900, and would have had sash windows throughout, I guess. Unfortunately these were stripped out and replaced with single glazed glass with a small top-opener; unattractive, hot in summer and draughty in winter.
I want to upgrade all these, starting with those at the rear of the house, but I know that timber sash windows are very expensive, and need a specialist fitter.
Looking at replacement windows on houses in the area and at the suppliers, I am quite unimpressed by most which seem to have a very thick frame, with black rubber seals. Why couldn't they use white rubber? Why can't they make the frame less obtrusive?
What I am looking for is a reasonably attractive replacement. Which replacement windows have a slim frame? How do aluminium frames compare with uPVC? How expensive are sash double-glazed windows (if they even exist)? I am looking for something with a horizontal bar so that if we end up with a mixture of windows on the house, there won't be a massive difference in the look. At some point, hopefully, we may be able to afford replacement timber sash windows on the front of the house.
Any recommended suppliers in the South London / Croydon area?
I have a friend who used to fit windows though he admits he is a bit out of date: he can help me with fitting / measuring.
Dave