Timber or PvC Sash Windows

karlsoden · 20-08-2022 10:43AM #1

Hi

Im looking to buy sash windows at the moment and need to achieve a u value of 1.4 or lower for an SEAI grant, is this possible and can anyone recommend companies that would meet the low u value in the sash style.

I prefer the look of timber frames but from what I've been told they can't achieve the lower u values of PvC. Is this correct?

thanks

C. Eastwood · 21-08-2022 11:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058259585/timber-or-pvc-sash-windows

uPVC will give you 40 years maintenance free. Timber will shrink and expand and twist with the relative humidity and will need painting every few years. Painting timber windows is very time consuming. Buy uPVC.

awec · 22-08-2022 10:46AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119503461#Comment_119503461

Wouldn't agree with this at all, timber (or alu-clad) will look far better than PVC. PVC will make your sash windows look cheap.

bemak · 22-08-2022 01:18PM

you can get very good uPVC windows now that have a bit of 'grain' in them - they look very convincing to be fair.

C. Eastwood · 22-08-2022 04:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119504445#Comment_119504445

Timber is Hygroscopic.

awec · 22-08-2022 05:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119506191#Comment_119506191

Yes, that is why you maintain them.

Using PVC for a sash window, which is a traditional window style, is going to look wrong IMO. PVC windows are generally the cheapest option and they will look it.

pjdarcy · 22-08-2022 05:12PM

From what I understand you can achieve low U-values with any of the available window frame materials but uPVC will have better performance (i.e. a lower U-value) at a price point compared to other available materials.

Lumen · 22-08-2022 07:37PM

Not sure you'll achieve the required u-values with timber, but if you don't mind having them painted them on the inside, Accoya is worth considering.

Yellow_Fern · 23-08-2022 04:25AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119503461#Comment_119503461

I want to stress it depends on the location. A very exposed south facing window wont last as long as a more sheltered one. I have seen windows frames that are grand after 70 years of abandonment on the right location.

You can easily get wooden windows of 1.4 U-value now.

23-08-2022 06:42AM

If the building is listed (Dublin Corpo have listed entire roads/areas) you may only be allowed to use period wooden sash windows. We had issues with them when renovating a house and used uPVC sash windows. Argued and kept them in the end, looked better than most of the other houses on the road, many with old aluminum single glazed windows.

Timber or PvC Sash Windows

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