ᐅ Upgrading Windows with Mushroom Locks Allegedly Not Worth It – Opinions?
Created on: 11 May 2017 23:18
M
Mizit
Dear forum community, we would like to rely on your experience once again. We have received an offer and a recommendation but are not sure how to proceed.
I am worried about burglars, and the windows in our house, which is 23 years old, are all unsecured. We were thinking of having mushroom head locks installed on the 11 window sashes on the ground floor and also on 2 sashes on the upper floor that can be accessed via the garage roof.
Some initial, non-binding information indicated that retrofitting such mushroom head locks would cost about 300 euros per window.
Now we have obtained a second offer. The window profile depth was measured at 58 mm (2.3 inches) and the windows are double-glazed. We were told that upgrading the fittings to a security standard would no longer be financially worthwhile. The cost of a window door for retrofitting the fittings would be around 400 euros (net). Additionally, according to the supplier, it is unclear whether all fittings for these old profiles are still available. Therefore, they would rather advise us to replace the windows or at least some of them.
Well, I had already been wondering whether it makes sense to invest an amount approaching 4,000 euros in windows that are almost 25 years old. The current offer is even more expensive.
I assume that replacing 11 or 13 sashes would cost around 10,000 euros, wouldn’t it? Or even significantly more? On the other hand, these would then be new windows.
I was thinking that new windows with a U-value of 0.6 might also make sense because of heating oil costs. However, someone told me last week that this might not be a good idea, disregarding the costs, because we could quickly end up with mold in the house since there is no central ventilation installed.
Well… my feeling of security is very important to me, and of course that comes with a cost. But 400 euros (net) per window…?
I am worried about burglars, and the windows in our house, which is 23 years old, are all unsecured. We were thinking of having mushroom head locks installed on the 11 window sashes on the ground floor and also on 2 sashes on the upper floor that can be accessed via the garage roof.
Some initial, non-binding information indicated that retrofitting such mushroom head locks would cost about 300 euros per window.
Now we have obtained a second offer. The window profile depth was measured at 58 mm (2.3 inches) and the windows are double-glazed. We were told that upgrading the fittings to a security standard would no longer be financially worthwhile. The cost of a window door for retrofitting the fittings would be around 400 euros (net). Additionally, according to the supplier, it is unclear whether all fittings for these old profiles are still available. Therefore, they would rather advise us to replace the windows or at least some of them.
Well, I had already been wondering whether it makes sense to invest an amount approaching 4,000 euros in windows that are almost 25 years old. The current offer is even more expensive.
I assume that replacing 11 or 13 sashes would cost around 10,000 euros, wouldn’t it? Or even significantly more? On the other hand, these would then be new windows.
I was thinking that new windows with a U-value of 0.6 might also make sense because of heating oil costs. However, someone told me last week that this might not be a good idea, disregarding the costs, because we could quickly end up with mold in the house since there is no central ventilation installed.
Well… my feeling of security is very important to me, and of course that comes with a cost. But 400 euros (net) per window…?
Nordlys schrieb:
The fittings are available from Meesenburg. They have locations nationwide. However, they do not sell to private customers, only to professionals. Then maybe source them through your own company? (Even as an employee – talk to your manager...) You’d be surprised how affordable they can be.
Payday schrieb:
then maybe get them through your own company? (even as an employee – talk to your boss...) you’d be surprised how inexpensive it can be.Although even if we somehow managed to get these original fittings, we would need someone to install them properly. Maybe it’s just my impression, but in all the previous conversations with tradespeople, we felt like they have full schedules and aren’t interested in small jobs that aren’t profitable overall.
On Friday, we had another on-site appointment with a different window specialist. We told him upfront that we want to upgrade for security; new windows are not an option. Our intention was to avoid giving the impression that we might consider a replacement and that we just needed a little guidance toward that.
It’s absolutely impossible that these contractors had coordinated with each other beforehand. But this specialist also clearly said that upgrading the fittings to mushroom-head lock bolts is financially impractical. He estimated around €400 (approximately $440) per sash. He also said we are still waiting for the detailed offer, but that upgrading all the fittings on windows that should be secured would cost us at least €5000 (approximately $5500). For about €8000 (approximately $8800), however, a full replacement of all windows with modern security standards and triple glazing would be possible. We have just taken note of this and didn’t say much more on-site; we are waiting for a written offer for both upgrading and replacement. I think if we choose to upgrade, this company would definitely do the job—they wouldn’t reject the order.
But if the local companies are calculating costs this way, the real question is: do we want to invest around €5000 (approximately $5500) in the windows, when for “only” about €3000 (approximately $3300) more, a full replacement would be possible? If we do it now, we’d probably have peace of mind for the next 25 years.
The tradesperson also mentioned on his own that we could buy suitable locks from ABUS at the hardware store, starting from about €50 (approximately $55), which in his opinion could also be installed by a non-professional.
If it’s really just about security, you should seriously consider whether these ABUS bolts for 50€ (see the craftsperson’s suggestion) might be sufficient. Spending 5000€ just on a few new fittings doesn’t make much sense, and new windows are unnecessary as long as the old ones are still in good condition. If security is your priority, you could invest that 5000€ in other security measures, like window monitoring connected to an alarm system or something similar. As mentioned before, the police can also provide helpful advice on this topic.
Mizit schrieb:
What objective criteria can be used to determine if windows are "still good"?For example, when someone with a manufacturer's expertise says so.
As a layperson: no rattling, no creaking, no wobbling, opens and closes smoothly, surface does not become brittle and is easy to clean, all parts are firmly in place, glazing (the space between panes) is sealed...
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
So, based on these criteria, I would say that with a naturally limited budget for renovations, which did not include a complete window replacement, the windows are still in good condition.
However, they are almost a quarter of a century old—I’m not sure what the average lifespan of a double-glazed window in the mid-price range is. Will we still consider them good in five years?
We visited the hardware store and looked at various options. Burgwächter offers these double bolts that can be mounted on both sides of double casement windows. They cost 60 euros, plus about 15 euros for a lockable handle. At around 75 euros per sash, this would be within our budget.
My question is whether such a double bolt combined with a lockable window handle truly offers security comparable to a good mushroom-head locking mechanism.
However, they are almost a quarter of a century old—I’m not sure what the average lifespan of a double-glazed window in the mid-price range is. Will we still consider them good in five years?
We visited the hardware store and looked at various options. Burgwächter offers these double bolts that can be mounted on both sides of double casement windows. They cost 60 euros, plus about 15 euros for a lockable handle. At around 75 euros per sash, this would be within our budget.
My question is whether such a double bolt combined with a lockable window handle truly offers security comparable to a good mushroom-head locking mechanism.
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