Many modern window designs are often comprised of man-made materials that are meant to last a very long time. Sash windows, however, are made from real, natural wood and when they’re properly maintained, they can actually endure for centuries. More importantly, these additions give properties a beautiful, classic and historically accurate look. This is especially true when they’re installed in authentic Edwardian and Victorian abodes. Following are some of the truly impressive benefits that sash window designs can provide.
Also referred to sashes, these classic window styles provide some of the best ventilation in the world. This is due in large part to the manner in which they function. When these units are even slightly cracked, they can promote tremendous air flow all throughout the home. This makes them absolutely ideal for quickly clearing out stale, stagnant air and for creating a fresh and pleasant environment.
Another vital thing to note is that sashes are often present in historic homes which rarely have central air conditioning systems due to the significant costs of renovating these properties to feature advanced, modern technologies. As such, their ability to provide optimum ventilation and air flow can be a special boon during the hot, humid months of summer. Rather than having to rely on portable, freestanding air conditioners or costly, window AC units, homeowners can simply crack their windows and enjoy the resulting breeze. More importantly, this is a very cost-effective way to keep the indoor environment cool even as it promotes a significantly higher quality of indoor air overall.
People also appreciate the tremendous amount of security that comes with having these window styles. That’s because sashes are made up of a number of individual panes. This is especially true for some of the oldest designs. As such, if a single pane is cracked or broken out, no one will be able to enter the property via the resulting opening due to its incredibly small size. More importantly, it is actually possible to lock these units even when they are in a slightly opened position.
The ability to lock open windows in their fixed positions means that household residents can continue to enjoy the ventilation that these structures provide even during the night hours. This is helpful when the daytime heat creates a stuffy and unpleasant environment that might otherwise last all night long. Not only will residents be comfortable and significantly cooler, but they can also be assured that they are not at risk of break-ins.
Real wood is currently highly valued for its natural insulating properties. This helps trap warm air in the home during the cooler months of winter while keeping warm air out when the summer hits. As such, if these units are installed in homes that do have central or mini-split air conditioning systems, these heating and cooling technologies will not have to work as hard in order to create and maintain comfortable, ambient temperatures indoors. If you already have sashes in place and are thinking about replacing or simply restoring these features, you should note that this is actually one of the cheapest and easiest ways to enhance the overall energy efficiency of your entire abode. Best of all, you will be able to get a seamless, beautiful look throughout the property that dramatically increases the overall value, authenticity and marketability of this important investment.
Homeowners should know that these designs can also be quite easy to maintain. If you own a historical property that already has dated sashes installed, there are a number of exciting innovations that have recently been made in these products to increase their overall functionality and efficiency. For instance, rather than being built with a counter-balanced system of real, fiber cords and lead weights, some of the most recent systems use springs and cords instead. This limits the likelihood of cord breakage and allows for smoother and easier operation all-around. Additionally, there are far fewer cold spots and draughts with these latest designs.
For homeowners who are committed to choosing green or environmentally-friendly building solutions, it is all about finding the right window designers. The companies that are committed to producing these very conventional window styles are often in love with what they do. As such, they tend to have small, tight and highly sustainable supply chains and can source everything from the wood and the window panes for these projects in a way that has a very limited impact on the natural environment. Moreover, the vast majority of the design work is completed by the same, single, in-house team, meaning that various aspects of these jobs are not being outsourced to unknown, third-party companies. This allows for a much higher level of quality control overall, especially when compared to more conventional window designs that are often manufactured by one company and installed by another entirely.
Although these units have been around for more than four hundred years, they have definitely evolved quite a bit while still retaining their initial, eye-catching aesthetic styles that served to make them so popular at their inception. For homeowners of Georgian, Edwardian and Victorian homes, being able to work with sash window restoration and design companies is a tremendous relief. This allows these consumers to maintain the historic integrity and authenticity of their properties while still enjoying the benefits of modern innovation. Another vital factor for property owners to take note of when considering these window styles is that they are all capable of achieving an “A” efficiency rating.
Some companies assert that their window products can last a total of 60 to 100 years when the sash window style is chosen. The reality, however, is that all-wood sashes have actually been known to last far longer, especially when these are carefully, diligently and properly maintained. One needs only to consider the historic Ham House of London. The sashes present on this particular property have been in existence for more than 300 years. This is due to the incredibly enduring quality of wood and the diligence of those who have been responsible for caring for these features throughout the years.
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