Jo wrote:
"Roger Mills" wrote in message
...
On 15/01/2012 14:14, Jo wrote:
We are (sadly) having to renew the windows in our 1920s property. There
are
currently wooden sills in good condition in the house and we would
prefer to
keep these if possible when the new windows are installed.
Has anyone had any experience of fitting new UPVC windows with
existing sills?



Not sure whether you're talking about the external or internal
sills. The new windows will be supplied with external sills, which
sit on the brickwork immediately under the frame.

If the internal sills are in good condition, leave them in situ and
simply butt the new frames against them - with maybe a bit of
quartering to cover any slight gaps. Great care will be needed to
avoid damaging the internal sills when the old frames are removed.
The sills may well have a step near the outer edge, with the thin
bit fitting into a groove in the wooden frame. If you're not very
careful, this will break off and may well split the sill further in.
If the stepped bit doesn't break off, it will probably need trimming
off to allow the new frame to occupy the same space as the old one.
--
Cheers,
Roger
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Ah, I didn't make that clear. It is the internal wooden sills we
would like to keep. One window company has said that they wouldn't
fit UPVC window frames with existing wooden sills, but others say
different! We have red tiled outer sills which we have been told can stay.
Knowing nothing at all about windows it's all a bit daunting!

However, thanks for your comments. Much appreciated.

Jo

Jo,

You can fit UPVc windows upto the internal cill with very few problems
(usually). You can get the odd one that's loose or splits and these are
usually solved as Roger has suggested with plastic quadrant or small section
cover strips.

If the sill is badly damaged during the replacement (or you want something a
bit more aesthetic to go with the UPVc windows), then plastic over-sills can
be fitted onto the top of the wooden ones at reasonable cost.

Personally I would forget the company that refuses to do this, as it's a
simple job to do - and they may well charge the earth for fitting the
over-sills (because unless they rip the old ones out [messy and usually
needless], that's all they will do anyway).

Remember to choose a company that's FENSA registered, otherwise you will
have to get the local council involved to issue the necessary paperwork upon
completion to say the job is OK. A lot of expense and bull manure, but
that's the law now (blame John Prescot).

Hope this is of some help

Cash