Tag - wooden sash windows

25 Jan

The Benefits Of Wooden Windows

Wooden windows are a stylish and aesthetic choice for homeowners. There are a variety of styles you can choose from, which can enhance the design features of your exterior. Apart from improving the appearance of your home, here are some other outstanding benefits to consider.

Why Install Wooden Windows

Cheap and Long-Lasting

Unlike other materials, wooden windows tend to be a lot cheaper to install. Plus, due to being able to last a long time, you will not need to invest in maintenance. Therefore, you will spend less money overall. Wooden sash windows are an excellent choice for any home.

Superb Insulation

Wooden windows are one of the best options for keeping your home warm and cosy during cold weather. They are much better in this regard than steel or vinyl windows which won™t preserve as much heat.

To further improve insulation you can install double-paned glass which will prevent any air leakage.

Highly Durable

It doesn™t matter if it™s heavy, rain, snow, frost or blistering heat, wooden windows are incredibly durable. In contrast to metal windows, they have the ability to expand and contract during various temperature fluctuations.

Hence, wood sash windows are designed to withstand a large array of weather circumstances and avoid any seal failures between the window and glass panes. The less air that gets into your home the less you will rely on indoor heating and the less your energy bill will cost.

Additionally, wood windows are unlikely to crack due to being tightly sealed unlike alternate windows such as vinyl.

Not Difficult To Maintain

High-quality wooden windows have long-lasting sealants that can easily be maintained by being occasionally cleaned with a soft cloth and a bit of liquid soap. In other words, as long as you keep your windows clean there will be no need to invest in resealing or replacing your windows altogether.

Environmentally-Friendly

Wooden windows create a smaller carbon footprint than other materials which need a greater amount of energy to form. Not to mention, wood is incredibly sustainable which makes it a much greener choice than the likes of plastic, steel or aluminium.

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18 Mar

Which are Better: Casement or Double-Hung Windows?

There are two main types of sash windows, casement windows and double-hung windows, each have their own advantages and disadvantages. If you are looking to decide between the two, you will need to weigh up the pros and cons before deciding which is best for your space.

What is a Casement Window?

A casement window is a type of sash window that has hinges on the side, where it attaches to the frame. They may open inward or outward, but usually it is outward.

Pros of Casement Windows
Different glazing options
Good ventilation
Many different design options
Can fit to many types of frame

Cons of casement windows
Not suitable for use with air conditioning units
Casement windows are not suitable for storm windows
No potential for adding screens
Some casement window frames will not be strong enough for larger size windows

What is a Double Hung Sash Window?

A double hung sash window is a design with 2 separate sashes, those being the top and bottom window. Both of these slide up and down. If it is a single hung sash window then the top window will be in a fixed position, and only the bottom window will move.

Pros of Double Hung Windows
Easily ventilation and ability to control air flow
Suit traditional and contemporary buildings
Simple to clean inside and outside of the glass
Suitable for air conditioning units and other additions
Wide variety of colours and designs

Cons of Double Hung Windows
Possibility of air leaks, more so in older wooden windows
Fewer options in terms of sizes, in comparison to casement windows
Complex opening and closing mechanisms, which may require maintenance
Mixing double sash windows with other windows can ruin the aesthetic

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How to Paint Sash Windows
15 Feb

How to Paint Sash Windows | Mortice & Green

Maintaining your sash windows can be tricky, they are traditionally made of wood which means they need to be cleaned and caulked in a certain way, to prevent cracks from forming. One of the most difficult aspects of maintaining them is painting them, as you can easily end up sealing the sash window if you don™t paint them carefully. This guide will give you an idea of how to paint your sash windows properly.

  1. Remove the hardware

The first thing you need to do is remove the hardware such as the handles and locks. Leaving these on the windows will mean they are in the way and could also mean they end up covered in paint. 

  1. Sand down the wood

Painting over old layers of paint is also a bad idea, as eventually the layers of paint will build up so much that the window will stop closing properly. Therefore, you should take the time to sand down the wood and sand off the old layers of paint. Following on from that thoroughly clean your sash windows, to get rid of the dust and debris you created when sanding.

  1. Choose the right paint

Think about what colours will suit your home, also you should bear in mind that if the windows are in the sun a lot the colour may fade, so you might want to go for a brighter colour than you first thought. You could test the colours on a mock frame before committing to painting your sash windows.

  1. Paint the glazing bars

Start the painting process by focusing only on the glazing bars first. You will need to reverse the sashers so that you can access every part of the window. Start with the top sash then leave it to dry and continue with the bottom sash.

  1. Paint the frames

Once you start painting the sash window frames you should also start by painting the top first. Avoid pushing the sash all the way up until the paint is dry, otherwise they will stick. 

  1. Paint the rest of the window frame

Once you have done the glazing bars and the frame you can paint the other parts of the sash windows, such as the cills and casting. Leave the sash windows the dry fully, before you reinstall any hardware elements.

  1. Clean off paint splatters

If you find any paint splatters on your sash windows you can remove these fairly easily with a window scraper. Just make sure you do this gently, applying too much pressure could break or crack the glass.

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sash windows repairs balham sw12
06 Apr

Why You Should Be Paying For The Sash Window Repairs London Companies Provide

Also known as sashes, sash windows give residential properties a truly classic look. In fact, these are also among some of the most efficient and stylish elements that can be added to buildings. Best of all, they can literally last for centuries. This last is only true, however, if they are diligently well-maintained. Following are several reasons why you should invest in the services for sash window repairs London companies are offering.

While it might seem pretty unbelievable to have well-made windows last for hundreds of years, London locals only need to take a trip to the historic Ham House in order to see that this is true. This popular and eye-catching property is adorned with sashes that are over 300 years old. These structures are a testament to the lasting effectiveness of diligent property maintenance, skillful restorations, and timely repairs. Without these things, windows of any type are not guaranteed to last at all. As it stands, however, most sash manufacturers are willing to stand behind their work for a period of up to 50 years. This is a whole lot more than you can expect when having vinyl or aluminum products installed.

When these structures are not properly maintained, homeowners can start to experience problems with wood rot. This is also an open invitation for countless pests. Regularly painting or resealing the wood frames on these structures is essential for safeguarding them from the elements and from insects that might like to burrow into them. It is vital to note that despite these vulnerabilities, these options are not just appealing to consumers for their stylishness. They are also highly efficient. This is due to the fact that wood is a very poor conductor of heat and thus, a great natural insulator.

Even the very way in which sashes work make them effective for conserving energy. With these windows, you can become far less reliant upon your indoor heating and cooling system. During the winter months, quality wood frames and windows that have been draught-proofed will help keep more warm air indoors. This way, you can limit the demands that you’re placing on your heating equipment while the temperatures remain seasonably low.

During the spring and summer months, sashes are the perfect for creating a cooling, indoor breeze. Even cracking them a small amount can generate a cross draft that will make artificial cooling unnecessary on most days. When it comes to maintaining a good indoor air quality, this manner of cooling the home down is far preferable to using a closed, air conditioning system. Stale, stagnant air can flow out and fresh, clean outdoor air can flow in.

There are a number of minor repairs that homeowners may be capable of making on their own. For instance, if your sashes are sticking, this could be due to a build-up of paint that can be easily moved with a gentle washing. The best solution for these efforts is a mild, sugar soap that will break the excess paint down. Once the work is done, the sashes should slide open and closed very easily. To avoid this problem in the first place, it is generally best to have the wood on your sashes treated, stained and painted by professionals. They will take care to ensure that overspill does not occur and that your windows continue to function exactly as they should, once the treatment is finished.

Mortice and Green Sash Windows London

Sash window repair services by Mortice and Green

Another common issue among sash windows, especially those that are slightly more dated, are broken sash cords. These systems function via a strategic combination of lead weights and cords. If a cord breaks on one side of the window, the entire sash will be compromised given that the cord on the other side will have to work far harder. Given just how heavy these units are, ignoring a problem like this one can be very dangerous. Once the second cord breaks, the heavy window could simply come crashing down given that it will no longer have the necessary tension for remaining in a fixed, open position.

Sashes are a wonderful investment for your home, but you have to be ready to properly maintain them. This means reporting problems in a timely fashion so that a reputable service can resolve them before they have the chance to spiral out of control. It also means having these structures inspected, painted and stained on a routine basis. This way, you can get optimum value and benefits from window structures that are truly built to last.

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