wrote in message
...
We have a flat in North London with metal framed windows. The block was
built in the 1960s sometime and the windows are beginning (?!) to show
their age.

We would like to refurbish (or maybe replace) the windows while
retaining their character, modern UPVC framed windows would look
horrible (some adjacent flats have them and they *do* look horrible).

Can anyone recommend a supplier/builder/specialist or whatever who
could either actually do the work or alternatively supply hardware so
that we could do it ourselves?

It's a duplex flat with french doors onto a balcony downstairs plus a
separate floor to ceiling window downstairs and two bedrooms upstairs
with large windows. The existing opening windows are the swivel type.

The existing frames are not badly corroded but have got distorted in a
couple of places so they don't close perfectly.

Recently replaced a Crittall window with a UPVC one.

Mine was held in by screws through the frame into nuts behind, there is a
small steel angle embedded in the mortar. Sometimes the nuts rotate so the
screw won't release. If so, drill out the screw head or cut through the
frame using an ange grinder.

If you open the window (Assuming it's a side opener) and look down the edge
of the frame you'll probably find the heads of the screws. Measure where
they are from the top or bottom and you'll find that the opposite side of
the frame will have them in the same positions sometimes buried under the
putty. Check the top/bottom edges also.

Removal of a small section of grout/render around the frame will reveal the
exact size unless it's obvious.

Measure this and contact a local UPVC company who make them up. Suggest that
you want to replae the Crittal ones of "X" size and design and get a quote.

After screw removal the frame can be gently levered out of the brickwork
leaving a nice neat hole. Watch out for the bricks above being loose or a
lintel.If anything moves, support it, remove window as best as poss, and
make good the problem.

A 1.6 x 1.2m fully glazed unit, halfway split vertically, 2 openers was £127
plus VAT.

Took me 3 hours to install. A day to "Make good" outside and in with
expanding foam, silicon sealer and some cladding (Sourced from the window
maker).

Immense increase in warmth and noise reduction was very acceptable.

Strangely there's a roundabout near me thats called "Crittals Corner". Where
the old factory used to be and is now a B & Q.