Restoration wins out over replacement: on cost

Wooden sash windows at a historic 17th-century mansion in Warwickshire have been saved and restored, because it proved more cost-effective than replacing them.

A total of 19 wooden sash windows and three wooden doors were renovated at Humberslade Hall in Tanworth in Arden, a former stately home which has now been converted into office space and a number of residential apartments.
The £16,000 project was carried out by sash window renovation specialist Ventrolla as part of a £170,000 renovation and conversion scheme at the hall.
Ventrolla’s Midlands office was brought in by Touchstone Consultants to work on the ground floor of the building, now home to Umberslade Corporate Management. The conditions of the sashes varied, with a number of sills being completely rotten. At first Touchstone thought the sashes would have to be replaced, but Ventrolla convinced them that renovation was actually a more cost-effective approach.
Simon Hateley, project manager for Touchstone, said: “Initially we thought we would have to replace all the sashes, but Ventrolla worked on a single test window to show the quality of finish achievable through renovation and we were very impressed.
“Replacement windows would have been costly, as well as time consuming, to install and as the office was still operational the project needed to be completed quickly and effectively. We are extremely pleased with the service Ventrolla provided.”