When Do Sash Windows Need Restoration

For centuries, sash windows have been one of the most beautiful and elegant window designs available. During the 20th century, they became less popular and although in recent years they’ve seen something of a resurgence, most of the sash windows around these days are quite old.

This brings us to the subject of sash window restoration. Sash window restoration is a specialist carpentry service that we’re proud to offer here at Mortice and Green. After all, we love sash windows and there’s nothing better than restoring them to good condition. Today we’ll be taking a look at when you might need sash window restoration, how the process works and the best ways to look after your beautiful old windows.

The Process Of Sash Window Restoration

While the restoration process does vary a little depending on the specific circumstances, the basics are the same.

We start by assessing the extent of the damage/wear and what kind of sash window restoration services may be required. Some parts may need to be replaced while others may just need a little care and attention.

At this point, we carefully remove the window from the frame and begin the restoration process. Generally speaking, this can include revarnishing or painting woodwork, replacing fixtures or broken glass, polishing up the glass and finally refitting the window.

Restoration Versus Replacement

In some cases – particularly when the window in question is single-glazed – people will choose to have their old sash windows replaced with new ones. That’s a service we can also provide and generally always worth asking.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to one of two things: how badly is the old sash window damaged? And would a new window have significant advantages?

By significant advantages, we mean that, as well as being double-glazed, new sash windows are also built from materials that are generally less likely to get damaged over time as a result of exposure to the elements. By contrast, old wooden frames have a tendency to expand and contract over the years, slowly but surely leading to damage.

Listed Buildings

It’s worth noting that you may run into some complications if you’re in a listed building. Depending on the grade, there are some strict regulations around what you can and can’t do with a listed building and while replacement is often a possibility, you’ll need the right permissions to ensure that it does not impact the historical integrity of the building.

That being said, maintenance and repair are important responsibilities when it comes to looking after listed buildings so, depending on the building in question, this may be the best solution going forward. Ultimately you should review your options and decide what works best.