I think the house on the left is much nicer looking than the right hand semi because those windows suit the house. Personally I would replace like for like and chose aluminium for a narrower frame.

Use google street view to have a look at Shanklin Road and Luccombe Road in Southampton. Lots of houses of this style windows in those roads with different solutions. Some more successful than others. I prefer the ones as close to the original as possible, usually aluminium, but some have made uPVC look better than others.

Thank you Jonathan, I appreciate your feedback. I’ll consider this again. many people agree that they like the original windows. This is part of my dilemma, spoiling the look entirely. The front aspect is north facing and can be very dull at times. I fear that replacing close to original will involve much bulkier framing and not so energy efficient.

Charlotte, Thank you I’ll have a look, this could be very useful!

I really like the style of your windows. We had a block of flats similar nearby but all the windows were changed for white pvc and they lost their charm. I understand that original crittals can be draughty and cold but copying the original style would look lovely and very in keeping.

Thank you very much. Sonia, the old windows are single glazed and a few of curved glazing panels are quite badly cracked and I’m losing a lot of heat. I priced replacement like for like and the curved sections alone were £3,000 each. Food for thought though, I could straighten those sections.

That’s a lot money isn’t it? Definitely food for thought.

Those curved sections on the windows will cost a small fortune. We quoted for similar windows around 3 years ago and the cost of the glass was out of this world then.

Yes indeed, thanks Daisy, outwith my budget I’m afraid.

A little cheat option:
Replace the curved glass with acrylic glass. It will discolour after 8-10 years and need replacing but will cost very little now. Personally I wonder about the economy of replacing windows - there is an argument to accept the extra £150 a year on the gas bill and not spend thousands on windows.

Hi Jonathan, This great and very thoughtful of you little cheat has already been performed (by the previous owner ) I’ve been in the house for 27 yrs. As you rightly say the Perspex has yellowed but no shame to it after all that time and it’s been a brilliant compromise all these years. Thank you.

Thank you folks for taking the time to give me some really useful ideas to think about, it’s very much appreciated.