Do your sash windows suffer from any of these common problems?
- Sashes painted shut
- Decayed timber members
- Sashes not balanced correctly
- Broken pulley wheels
- Loose sash joints
- Broken panes of glass
If your sash windows suffer from any of the above problems then we can help!
Opting for Sash Window Restoration rather than replacement is a cost-effective way of renovating an original feature to its previous brilliance. Additionally, the installation of our draught proofing system considerably decreases both heat loss and outdoor noise. Sash Window Restoration is far cheaper than replacing the entire window.
Fully restored original sash windows can add more value and character to your home than new replacement windows due to the fact that original sash windows, as opposed to replacement windows, are part of our English architectural heritage.
By asking us to carry out your sash window restoration, you can be guaranteed of a competent, professional service with all work being carried out by experienced joinery professionals.
Decay to sash windows is commonly caused by wet rot, but in some cases woodworm and dry rot can also be the cause of the decay.
If the timber sash window members have been affected by decay, the underlying areas will be fibrous and soft. If the decay can be caught in the early stages restoration can be carried out very easily.
The most common areas that get affected by decay are : -
- Window sills
- Lower sections of pulley stiles
- Lower sections of outer linings
- Bottom rails
- Lower sections of sash stiles
- Top meeting rails
The best time to carry out restoration is when gaps first start to appear in joints of the timber members. By carrying out conservation epoxy resin repairs at this point you are stopping water penetration.
The most common areas where gaps start appearing are : -
- On the shoulders of the mortise and tenon joints to the top and bottom rail.
- The bridle joints to the top and bottom meeting rails, especially when the sashes do not have horns/joggles
Common causes for this are stress from the banging of the bottom rail on the window sill, wedges to joints coming loose and failure of glue.
Before about 1850 top and bottom sashes did not have horns. When float glass started to be produced in larger panes extra strength was required to support the extra weight and those supports were called horns or joggles.
The importance of original box sash windows to the fabric of a home cannot be too highly recommended. When thinking of replacing your original sash windows careful consideration should be given to the original glass, the quality of the seasoned timber and the quality of the original joinery.
Preserving these original components and the wear and tear that comes with ageing can actually give additional character to sash windows from both inside and outside the house. New joinery and glazing will never exactly match the originals so it is always important to consider options for repair before replacement.