No.84, Friday, 27th. February 2026

I had to be out of bed earlier than usual this morning in order to be up and about for a 9am landlord visit. My bedroom window has a side-hung casement that has failed – it cannot be closed or locked. This is something of a historic event for me as it is the first time in nearly 9 years that I have had to call my landlord for a repair.

The window has actually been broken for some weeks. I initially noticed it only when I awoke during the night feeling very cold, to find that the window had opened in the windy conditions. I could not close it and keep it closed as the slightest breeze would force it open. In order to make it safe I had to tape it up on the outside.

All homes built to a high environmental standard, such as Passivhaus and Super-E, and quality homes in general, would most certainly not have plastic windows. I would never own a home that had plastic windows. Why? Because plastic windows look exactly like what they are: cheap and nasty. I rent so I have no say in the matter.

Throughout my life I have been astonished at the ability of clever – and nearly always misleading – advertising and sales techniques that persuade us to buy things we do not need, or which are poor quality. Plastic windows are poor quality and environmentally damaging, but you would not believe that if, since the 1970’s, you listened to the nonsense spouted by double-glazing salespeople. My astonishment does not end with the marketing, but also with the fact that so many people are persuaded by the sales talk.

I could go on, but my Morning Thoughts should be brief. I shall see what solution my landlord provides. However, one of the many downsides of plastic windows (unlike others) is that they are difficult – and sometimes impossible – to repair. And that means only one thing: the whole window may need to be replaced.