Anyone replaced their metal framed windows with UPVC double glazed ones?

Mal - my apologies, I've only just seen this as I don't normally look at the property forums.

We've got single-glazed metal windows, which are obviously very inefficient as regards insulation.

If you can afford them, then double-glazed windows are definitely the think to go for.

We decided against it - at our time of life, I doubt we'd live long enough for the capital outlay to be returned in savings.

Personally, I don't like PVC windows - they need metal stiffeners inside them to make them rigid, they tend to be on the chunky side, and keeping the plastic clean can be a pain. However, there may not be any alternative - if you were to ask for aluminium double-glazed windows with a thermal break in the frame (what I fitted in the UK), then people would probably look at you cross-eyed!

Thanks for your reply Jim, always worth the wait. I have been in touch, over the past 12 months, with 2 firms, one UPVC and the other Aluminium, (Brinas, on the La Marina Urb).  I am tending to lean towards the Aluminium ones, as like yourself I think trying to keep the UPVC frames clean would be a nightmare, plus as I only get out to Spain twice a year I am unsure what effect the sun and extreme summer heat would have on them. Anyway, I am out again for christmas, so I will arrange with Brinas to fit the Aluminium ones.  How are you getting on with your wood carvings? Did you manage to get more patterns?  Keep up the good posts, always very informative.

Hi Mal. We're obviously on the same wavelength! I'd ask if the aluminium ones come with a thermal break - a layer of other material sandwiched between the inner and outer ally, which improves thermal insulation of the frame itself. You won't lose a lot of heat through the frame, but in cold weather it's possible, if your house is a bit humid, for condensation to form on the inside of the frame.

I'm always looking for pattern ideas, although I've got a lot already. Problem is that Margaret expects me to keep doing jobs around the house. Coming up shortly will be a name plate for the house - think I'll call  it Casa Dun Freezin'.

Hi Jim, yes it is the Aluminium windows with thermal break that I am looking at, however regarding condensation, I get some of that at present, but only in the bedroom when I'm sleeping, but that is soon sorted as soon as I get up and crack open all the windows.  I wonder if these jobs that Margaret has you doing involves clearing up the trail of sawdust that seems to trail your every move.:-)