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Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Hi - We have just moved onto the ladder and need to do some work on our house. Before we moved in we knew from our surveyor that the roof needs replacing (and at the same time we would like to do a loft conversion). Also our windows are single glazed wooden sash windows - some of which are rotten and all are draughty. We don't know whether to replace with PVC as wooden sash double glazing seems quite expensive.

Does anyone have recommendations for a good roofing / loft conversion company and / or windows (either wooden or PVC).

Thanks!

Tags for Forum Posts: loft conversion, sash windows

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We had our sash windows replaced this year by www.barnetwindowcompany.co.uk. They are a great family business and did an amazing job. I've never come across such good customer service and they are true professionals. Sash are upvc, but look wooden. Barnet finished them off with lovely wooden architrave on inside. Windows look beautiful. Glide easily, no noise comes through and excellent security locks.

Hi Alice,

Welcome to Harringey! When i moved into my house (not on the ladder, but not far away) the roof was in a terrible state and we had Horncastle do ours - they also put in some skylights which are lovely. They were great, so i recommend them. (not sure they do conversions, maybe give them a bell)

It's a shame that my roof is a London "butterfly" style with a flat front aspect as no-one can see the lovely slates (i just have pleasure knowing they're up there! haha!)

For your windows, let me be an advocate for your old Victorian house ~ PVC windows greatly reduce the traditional intended aesthetics and lessen value. Just look down any "posh" street, for example in Islington... The main selling points are that the houses are aesthetically intact and look all the more wonderful for it. Another example is the exquisite conservation area just the other side of the H Ladder around Stapleton Hall Road - the council have been very strict about banning PVC windows (as well as TV sattelite dishes) in this area and the houses are simply gorgeous and extremely expensive!  Authenticity greatens value !!

If you can afford it (and by the sounds of it from your loft extension plan , you can ??) i really recommend getting timber framed sashes.  Help keep the H Ladder intact so that in the future the house prices will rise further because it's a brilliant example of victorian housing.

Also, another thing to remember is that if you care about your INTERIOR or are going for a certain "look" (perhaps utilizing the wooden floors and highlighting period mouldings and features?) then PVC from the inside looks TERRIBLE.  I rented a place a few years back in Islington which generally had timber framed very well crafted sashes, but one window was a PVC one and ruined the fine quality of the room from the inside as well as out!

Just some things to think about! I work in Architectural conservation writing listing applications all the time, and i know the things that matter when it comes to preserving heritage !!! SORRY TO RANT! ;) Please get timber framed sashes !!! :) x

I agree that there are many examples of terrible pvc windows in the area, which look awful.

However, if you go to the right window company such as Barnet Window Company and choose sash pvc windows such as Bygone or Classic, those pvc sash windows look beautiful inside and out and you cannot even tell that they are not wooden sash.

If you want to replace windows and you are a leaseholder and the Council is the freeholder, the Council will only allow you to replace windows using pvc.

Hi Justine,

Thanks for the recommendation - I have got in touch and they are coming over to do a quote very soon. Would it be possible to take a look at your windows as my other half has some doubts over the look of pvc windows.

Thanks again!

Sure. I've sent you a connection request.

Hi Alice 

Found this thread when searching for window recommendations in the area. My husband and I are currently wrestling with the same dilemma: timber versus pvc window replacements. We've had a quote from Barnet Window Company. Can I ask what you decided to do in the end, as I know you had some doubts about the look of pvc windows?  

Thanks!!

Hi - Thanks for the recommendation. I will give Horncastle a ring to see if they also do loft conversions (since it seems silly not to have it all done at once).

As this is our first proper house we are not sure what to do about the windows but are looking into all of the options, including secondary glazing. However, we do need to do something since it is posisble to feel the draughts in the current windows and I know it is going to be freezing in winter!

Hi Alice 

Found this thread when searching for window recommendations in the area. My husband and I are currently wrestling with the same dilemma: timber versus pvc window replacements. We've had a quote from Barnet Window Company. Can I ask what you decided to do in the end, as I know you had some doubts about the look of pvc windows?  

Thanks!!

 

Hi Rosemary,

Despite getting some quotes last year my partner and I are still in 'spirited discussions' about what to do with the windows. Unfortunately, this means we are stuck in a bit of a stalemate...

The windows from Barnet Windows look really good and they seemed really professional but cost quite a bit. We also have a quote from another company (can't remember their name now) and they were a lot cheaper. They have done the windows of another house in the street and looked quite good.

It would be good to know what you decide - we really need to get thinking about it. Especially as it is getting colder and I can already feel the draughts through the windows ...

Hi Alice/Rosemary

Just wondered what you both decided to do in the end regarding your windows, which company and so on please. I am in a similar position to yourselves 7 years on so would be grateful for any advice! Thank you in  advance.

Cheers,

Sinbad

Hi again, just wanted to say that i think Horncastle are on their annual summer break - they're closed this week. Just in case you were phoning them to no avail.

Good luck! :)

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