Windows and Double Glazing in Morges

Looking for a professional for windows and double glazing in Morges? Between the castle, the old town along the Grand-Rue and the Lake Geneva quays, the town mixes very different buildings, and replacing a window does not follow the same rules everywhere. This page summarises what you need to know before asking for a quote to change your windows in Morges.

The most common window jobs in Morges

Full window replacement remains the main job: the old frames are removed and new windows are fitted in wood, PVC, wood-aluminium or metal, with double or triple glazing. In many homes, the first aim is to get rid of the draughts and condensation that appear on old, warped frames.

Other jobs are common:

• replacing the glazing alone, when the frame is still sound;
• redoing the seal between the frame and the masonry, often the cause of leaks;
• changing the gaskets and fittings;
• fitting roof windows in converted attics.

In Morges, this work concerns rental buildings close to the centre as well as the villas on the slopes above the lake. A local tradesperson knows both types of building and what each one requires.

Old town, Grand-Rue and castle: when the design is dictated

The historic heart of Morges, laid out along the Grand-Rue, is not a district like any other when it comes to windows. On an old or protected building, the material, the division of the glazing, the colour and even the profile of the frames may be dictated. A PVC window that suits a recent building perfectly may be refused on an old-town façade.

In practice, before choosing a material:

1. check whether your building is in the old town or near a protected building;
2. ask the municipality what is required for the exterior appearance;
3. pass this constraint on to the tradespeople, so that they all price the same solution.

Often, the answer is to keep wooden frames, with insulating glazing that performs better than the old one, rather than changing the appearance. A professional used to old buildings will be able to tell you what is feasible without touching the façade.

Quays, roads and railway: noise in Morges

A town on the lakeshore, crossed by busy roads and served by the railway, exposes some homes to noise. If your flat faces a busy road, the railway line or a lively street on event evenings, the glazing matters as much as the frame: the thickness of the panes, the make-up of the glazing and the airtightness of the fitting change how noise gets through.

Say so clearly in your request: “façade exposed to road noise” or “railway side”. The professional can then propose suitable glazing, rather than limiting themselves to standard thermal insulation. A garden-side façade will not have the same needs as one facing the street.

Bise, rain and damp near Lake Geneva

By the lake the climate is mild, but wind and damp are felt, and the sloping hillsides leave some façades fully exposed. A badly fitted window lets air and water through at the joint with the wall: it is often the watertightness of the installation, more than the window itself, that decides the result.

For villas in the upper part of Morges, the orientation and exposure of each façade deserve a mention during the visit. A large picture window facing the lake and a small casement on the street side call for different glazing choices. Roof windows take more rain and sun: their junction with the roof covering must be done carefully, and it is sometimes prepared together with the roofer (see roofing in Morges).

Permit, subsidy and landlord’s consent

The building permit is issued by the municipality. When cantonal services have to give an opinion, the file goes through the cantonal permit centre (CAMAC). Not every window change requires a permit, but a visible change to the façade may need one: the right approach is to ask the municipality before ordering.

On the energy side, the canton of Vaud has an energy law and a cantonal energy department, which runs a subsidy programme. Window replacement is often eligible only as part of a wider renovation, under the rules of the programme in force. Check the conditions and deadlines with the cantonal department before signing a quote, without assuming anything about a possible amount.

Depending on your situation:

• house owner: you decide, within the municipality’s rules;
• co-owner: windows facing outside often affect the appearance of the façade, and therefore the decision of the co-ownership;
• tenant: the landlord’s written consent is essential, and it is for them to start the replacement.

Preparing your request and comparing quotes

The more precise the description, the more comparable the quotes. Before contacting anyone, gather:

• the number of windows, their approximate dimensions and their floor;
• the current material and the one you would like, or the constraint imposed by the municipality;
• the problems noticed: draughts, condensation, noise, damaged frames;
• the exposure (street, railway, lake, garden);
• photos of the windows, from inside and outside.

A good quote itemises the removal of the old windows, supply, type of glazing, fitting, sealing, interior and exterior finishes, disposal of the old elements and any masonry or painting work. If an item is missing from one tradesperson’s quote, ask whether it is included or charged separately.

The cost varies with the number and size of the openings, the material, the quality of the glazing, access to the site (floor, scaffolding, narrow old-town street) and the condition of the walls around the frame. That is why no serious figure can be given without a visit: the quote is what counts. To start the process, you can request a quote: your request is passed on to tradespeople and companies in the area, who will contact you to prepare a free, no-obligation quote.

Useful pages for your project in Morges

• Windows and double glazing: the trade in general;
• Work in Morges: the town page;
• Canton of Vaud: the cantonal framework;
• Plumber in Morges;
• Roofing in Morges;
• Bathroom renovation in Morges.