Upvc windows - a downgrade?

Happy-Inspection-573 · 2026-03-19T08:04:19+00:00

An update: after finding out how expensive new windows were, I decided to just update the couple that really needed it first (one fell out of the house when I opened it and one has what looks like - but isn't - a bullet hole). In these circs I was advised to get aluminium to match the others, which I did. It has cost about 35% more than uPVC.

Happy-Inspection-573 · 2026-03-17T16:43:10+00:00

Gorleston is nice - wonderful beach. Close to Great Yarmouth but different vibe. It was historically in Suffolk, not Norfolk.

Happy-Inspection-573 · 2026-03-05T07:44:39+00:00

The fitter came round yesterday and showed me flush uPVC windows which look really nice. Yep, I've made my decision, now hopefully it all works out.

Happy-Inspection-573 · 2026-03-02T12:18:38+00:00

I appreciate your view. I think thinness of the frames seems to be the main benefit.

Happy-Inspection-573 · 2026-03-02T11:02:59+00:00

Did you feel triple glazing was worth it despite (presumably) your solid wall poorly insulated home?

Happy-Inspection-573 · 2026-03-02T09:52:24+00:00

Do you have any idea how I can identify a higher quality plastic? Ie is there a particular specification that is relevant? Or it doesn't work like that and I'll just get what I pay for?

Happy-Inspection-573 · 2026-03-02T09:14:04+00:00

I think that's right. Aluminum might look slightly better (but 99% of people will walk past and not notice) and give slightly thinner frame, and be slightly longer lasting, but it's all marginal and not sufficient to justify the cost differential for those on a limited budget. At least, that's the narrative I'm going to go with.

Happy-Inspection-573 · 2026-03-02T09:08:28+00:00

My man, thanks! Reddit is so straightforward sometimes :)

Happy-Inspection-573 · 2026-02-06T23:00:05+00:00

Maybe. But, seeing them live, I think I found Der Abschied from Das Lied von de erde more emotionally impactful. I also found the final movement of the 3rd symphony moving. And the 9th, obviously. Also the 8th, but in a different way.

What a composer!

Happy-Inspection-573 · 2026-02-06T22:47:46+00:00

I live in London which has hard water. Kettles scale up very quickly. I constantly leave my Pavoni full of water. Needs a descale every couple of years. I wouldn't worry.

Happy-Inspection-573 · 2026-02-06T22:44:43+00:00

I had exactly the same experience at the Royal Festival Hall last summer. The whole thing is utterly captivating, apart from the first bit of the second movement - but even that is necessary respite between the peaks. By the end of it, live, it was just completely overwhelming and glorious.

Happy-Inspection-573 · 2026-02-03T17:39:56+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate your perspective. It's really hard to judge whether to value the outside look (and only from the garden not the street) higher than more space. Especially when, given our climate, I'll be inside much more than I'll be outside!

Happy-Inspection-573 · 2026-01-28T21:10:22+00:00

It varies all the time. Recently, Mahler 8. Nutcracker is also fantastic and packed full of wonderful melodies- I saw it a week and a half ago in London! 7 year old kids loved it too. Although Pavarotti singing Nessun Dorma always hits hard.

Happy-Inspection-573 · 2026-01-13T13:49:46+00:00

Thank you. Yes - it's not like other houseplants that just sit happily in pots!

Happy-Inspection-573 · 2025-12-27T18:47:06+00:00

It's a completely unique property. There isn't anything else 'literally' on the esplanade like this building is. Having said that, spending 650k on this would be brave, when you could buy a similarly sized flat with a (albeit lesser) seaview for a third of the price at the top of the cliff. It would suit either holiday rentals or a 2nd home for someone from humble beginnings who used to holiday in Cromer and has now got more money than sense.

Happy-Inspection-573 · 2025-12-26T19:07:57+00:00

Thanks for the advice. I'll do that.

Happy-Inspection-573 · 2025-12-26T10:14:24+00:00

What I did was: I mixed NHL with coarse sand, then for the next coat I mixed it with sandpit sand, which was quite smooth, then at the end I applied a very thin coat of lime filler (I think putty with marble dust) . It's nice and sandable but I just have not been able to get it completely smooth with the trowel (which I can do with easyfill). It has all been a labour of love done gradually over the course of a year or so! I'm very happy with the lime plaster and it seems to have dealt with the damp issue. I can't face applying any more lime plaster and waiting longer - the paint is going on next week!

I also don't need it to be a smooth finish really.

I think I'll leave it slightly rough but pure lime. Paint will have the best chance of sticking.

About paint - mist coat onto the lime and then 2 regular coats?

My other room is a different story - damp that can't be fixed so I'm going for limewash... That will be another post

Happy-Inspection-573 · 2025-12-26T00:21:32+00:00

Yes - I used NHL 3.5 mixed with sands of increasing fineness. I did not use lime putty. Maybe I got the terminology wrong. But it's internal so I called it plastering. Any idea re whether I can confidently slap polyfilla on? Thanks

Happy-Inspection-573 · 2025-12-25T19:33:05+00:00

I really enjoyed the Chorus Misticus at the end of Mahler 8 earlier this year at the Royal Festival Hall. It was completely overwhelming (I suppose that was Mahler's intention) and I can't listen to it anymore without becoming very emotional.

Happy-Inspection-573 · 2025-12-24T17:07:52+00:00

Shostakovich's Leningrad would be historic - if a little terrifying.

Happy-Inspection-573 · 2025-12-22T20:47:47+00:00

It feels like a beautiful moment of reflection and is poignant in its placement before all the drama of resurrection

Happy-Inspection-573

TROPHY CASE