Upgrading the window (mushroom head) is allegedly not worth it - opinions?

The fittings are available at Meesenburg. Represented nationwide. However, they do not sell to end customers. Only to craftsmen.

then possibly obtain them through your own company? (even as an employee - talk to your boss...) you will be surprised how cheap you can get them.

then possibly obtain them through your own company? (also as an employee – talk to the boss...) you’d be surprised how cheap it can be.

Although, even if we somehow managed to get these original fittings, we would need someone to install them professionally. Maybe my impression is wrong, but in all previous conversations with craftsmen, we had the feeling that their schedules are full and they are not interested in small jobs that are not worthwhile overall.

We had another appointment on site last Friday with a different window specialist. We directly said that we want to retrofit for security, new windows are not interesting. The underlying thought was not to give the impression that replacement would be an option for us, and that they would just have to steer us a bit in that direction.

It is completely out of the question that these craftsmen coordinated with each other beforehand. But this one also clearly said: retrofitting the fittings for mushroom head locks is financially unreasonable. He also estimates about €400 per sash. He said we are still waiting for the detailed offer, but that if we retrofit all the fittings on windows that should be properly secured, it wouldn’t cost us less than €5,000. For about €8,000, however, a replacement of all windows to a modern security level and triple glazing is possible. We have simply taken note of this and didn’t say much more on site; we are still waiting for a written offer for both retrofitting and new windows. I think if we decide to retrofit, this company will do it for us, so they will not refuse this job.

But then, if the local companies calculate like this, the real question is: do we want to invest around €5,000 in the windows when for "only" €3,000 more a replacement would be possible? If we did that now, we would probably have peace for the next 25 years.

The craftsman also mentioned on his own initiative that we could get suitable ABUS bolts at the hardware store, starting at €50 upwards, which, in his opinion, can also be installed by non-professionals themselves.

if it's really just about security, you should really consider whether these abus bolts for 50€ (see [handwerkervorschlag]) wouldn't be enough for you. 5000€ just for a few new fittings is simply nonsensical and new windows are pointless as long as the old ones are still good. if it's about security for you, you can also install completely different security measures for 5000€. for example, window monitoring with an alarm system or something like that. as already mentioned, the police can also help you with this topic.

By which objective criteria can it be determined whether windows are "still good"?

What objective criteria can be used to determine whether windows are still "good"?

For example, someone who has an expert eye for it says so

As a layperson: does not rattle, does not creak, does not wobble, opens/closes smoothly, surface does not become brittle and is easy to clean, all parts are firmly seated, glazing (spaces between panes) is tight ...

So, according to these criteria, I would say that with a naturally limited budget for renovations, which did not include a complete replacement of the windows: the windows are still good.

But they are still almost a quarter of a century old - I don't know what the average lifespan of a double-glazed window in the mid-price segment is? Whether in 5 years we will still think they are good?

We went to the hardware store and looked at various things. Burgwächter offers such bolts in a double design that could be mounted on the window on the left and right of double sashes. It costs 60 euros, plus about 15 euros for a lockable handle. With about 75 euros per sash, we would be there as well.

My question is whether such a double bolt + lockable window handle is really comparable in security to a good mushroom head lock.