Tag - sash window repairs

Why Timber Windows Are A Great Choice For Your Home
16 Feb

Why Timber Windows Are A Great Choice For Your Home

Timber windows are a fabulous asset for any home. Apart from providing gorgeous aesthetics, they are affordable and require little maintenance. Here is why you should consider installing timber windows.

The Benefits Of Timber Windows

Extremely Energy Efficient

Timber windows are brilliant at reducing air leakage and conserving heat. Therefore, during the winter months, you can rely on them to keep your home feeling warm and toasty. Additionally, they can help you save money as you won™t have to be overly dependent on your central heating system.

Good For The Environment

Timber is a renewable resource which means many units can be created without damaging the environment. This is especially impressive when compared to less sustainable materials such as plastic that harm the welfare of our planet.

Easy To Maintain

Timber and wooden windows are incredibly durable and can last for extended periods. Plus, apart from the occasional cleaning with a soft cloth, there is no need to invest in maintenance. At most, you may need to repaint your timber windows if they acquire any scratches.

Cost-Effective

Timber windows are relatively cheap to install and last for long durations. So when installing them you don™t need to worry about buying new windows after a few years of constantly spending money on repairs.

Increase Property Value

It has been found that timber windows vastly increase property value. This is due to their stunning aesthetics and their sustainability. Hence, if you plan on selling your property in the future, installing timber windows may help you get a healthy return on your investment.

If you want to install timber windows, feel free to get in touch with us. Call 02071189191 or email us at morticeandgreen@mail.com.

At Mortice and Green, we are specialists in window installation, repair and replacement. It doesn™t matter if you want sash or casement windows we can provide everything you need. Our team consists of professionally trained restorative joiners who are vastly experienced.

In addition, we pride ourselves on offering outstanding service to all our customers. We provide expert advice and we strive to give you the best deal.

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Sash Windows
14 Dec

The History and Evolution of Sash Windows | Mortice & Green

There is some debate as to the exact origin of sash windows, but they can be traced back to somewhere in the 13th century in Europe. Although they may not have been worthy of the ˜window™ title at that point, they were more like vertical sliding wooden shutters. Flash forward 300 years and by the end of the 16th century they had evolved into a form we would recognise today but were able to slide horizontally. Then, sometime in the 17th century the French noticed that it was safer to use vertical sliding windows as they didn™t open inward which causes impediments to the residents of the building.

Vertical Sliding Sash Windows

The sophisticated style of sash windows soon moved across the channel and became a fashionable status symbol across Britain and the colonies. Many earlier casement windows were replaced with sash windows in notable buildings such as Kensington Palace and Hampton Court Palace. Soon after that sash windows were used almost exclusively in any building from a royal residence to a simple cottage.

  • Evolution of Sash Windows

Georgian Sash Windows

In 1666 something happened that would further shape the evolution of sash windows, a fire started on Pudding Lane and grew into a four-day blaze that destroyed an estimated 13,200 houses. After this, building regulations were drastically overhauled in an attempt to reduce the risk of further fires and inhibit their possible spread. The regulations stipulated that timber window frames should be recessed behind the brick façade, leading to the development of Georgian architecture.

Victorian Sash Windows

The Victorians lavished ornamentation and decoration on their homes. Curved horns, multi-ached heads, intricate mouldings, leaded lights and lattice work started to appear in combination with sash windows. The windows were often grouped into impressive bays and offset with ornate stone.

Edwardian Sash Windows

Beginning when Edward VIII became king in 1901, and lasting only util 1920, when he died, the Edwardian period borrowed from the eras before it, combining the best of Georgian and Victorian. Although the period was only short, there was a housing boom in this era which means the architecture of that tine heavily dominates our present homes.

Modern Sash Windows

The modern design of sash windows has continued to be developed and refined as new techniques and materials appear and are incorporated into the windows. At Mortice and Green, we are pleased to continue with this process of development. Sash windows offer you a degree of beauty and history that modern windows just can™t compete with, so we are always eager to do everything we can to repair and preserve them. Get in touch if you want to know more about how we can help you restore your windows to their original beauty.

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12 Feb

sash window repairs in London

When it comes to sash window repairs in London, this is a fairly common undertaking. It’s fairly common that over time your sash window starts to develop wear and tear, but this doesn’t necessarily mean your window needs to be replaced. Instead it could just be that you need some refurbishment and repairs did to the window and/or sill.

Sash window repairs in London are not the easiest thing to fix but they can be done by a professional with the appropriate skills and tools in order to offer competent London sash window repair service. With stuck or broken windows repairs can be done by yourself or with the help of a contractor. Sometimes windows can be a source of heat-loss in many homes. They can stick and refuse to open if they have swollen from humidity. If you have blinds on the inside of your window they may refuse to work correctly. There are many things you can do as a homeowner or business owner to ensure that your Mortice & Green window work properly.

One of the biggest issues that people face is windows that refuse to open. The wooden windows north have a higher risk of getting stuck especially in older houses. Many times this is caused by a window which has recently been painted and the paint seals around the window and keeps it closed. In this instance the solution is an easy one: all you have to do is break the paint seal and clear all of the tracks from debris. Once this is done all you have to do is lubricate the tracks and they will work right fine.

If this does not fix the issue then you need to check the tracks. The tracks which are located above the sash window may be blocked as a result of paint build up. You can take a hammer and a chisel and use them to remove any of the paint that has been left behind on the tracks. You can cut out the paint that has tried thickly but be careful not to make a gouge in the wooden tracks. You can then smooth out the window tracks using sandpaper. Once this is done you should spray it down with lubricant.

Should this not work to repair the issue then you can use a pry bar from the outside of your sash window. Start with the flat end of the bar and insert it beneath the sash window. If you need additional leverage, then you can set scraps wood underneath the bar. You should then pry at the corners gently and move toward the center of the window. Be careful because too much pressure can cause damage to the window frame as well as the sash. Once you have opened the window you should clean off the tracks and apply a silicone spray to lubricate the tracks. If the problem persists, then call upon a carpenter for London sash window repair service in order to fix it instead of trying to force it open.

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17 Nov

Double glazing existing single glazed sash windows, a good idea?

If you have sash windows and you live in the UK then you have probably heard about the possibilities of replacing 4mm glass with a slim-line double glazed unit to upgrade your single glazed sash windows to double glazed sash windows.

If you have not then I will explain.

The idea first came to fruition around 12 years ago but didn™t become popular due to technological limitations of double glazed units at the time making it near on impossible to hide the old fashioned large double glazing spacer behind the inner moulding of each window.

Glass companies soon exploited the initial idea and came up with new double glazed units with much smaller discreet spacers and very slim units that had all the same thermal benefits of traditional double glazed units.

This new line of slim-line double glazing has now made it possible for property owners to double glaze existing sash windows in period houses without compromising the properties original architectural heritage.

People living in conservation areas that previously could not have double glazed sash windows due to the massive change in the appearance of the window can now do so without stepping on the local conservation officers toes!

This development has seen a huge rise in the amount of companies providing this service and as you might imagine there are also many chancers trying their hand at doing it too!

Be warned if the process is not done correctly or the wrong glass is used you may end up with sash windows that end up falling apart a year or two after the work is done, or if the gaskets are exposed to sun light and not properly hidden behind the beadings of the window they will degrade and you will have misted up windows.

It is far better to have the windows inspected by a reputable sash window company like Mortice and Green first to confirm suitability and then make sure the company carrying out the sash window work knows what they are doing and is using the correct materials and glass.

There are other options to upgrading your sash windows that are comparable in price and in some ways better too. One way is to have the fixed box frame fully restored and have reproduction sash windows manufactured to replace the old single glazed windows.

The new sash windows should be identical in every way other than the fact they will have been designed for slim line double glazed units as opposed to 4mm glass.

Once fitted, the replacement sash windows will provide the same level of thermal protection as complete replacement sash windows, with far less costs and hassle than replacing the entire box sash window.

You should also remember that a double glazed sash window that is fitted into a box frame that is not properly draught proofed is not going to be any better than a single glazed sash window! The double glazed window relies on the window to be properly insulated against draughts.

You would be surprised to hear just how many windows I see across London every month that are double glazed but not draught proofed, I often wonder just what the heck the so called œsash window repair expert was thinking as he fitted the new double glazed sash windows into the draughty un-insulated box frame? It is a real puzzle¦

If you are considering having reproduction sliding sash windows made then why not give us a call? We can double glaze your existing sliding sash windows or if you prefer we also manufacture solid Oak double glazed reproduction sash windows as well!

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