Tips for Taking Care of Your Sash Windows | Mortice & Green

There is a reason sash windows are still so popular, despite being used for over 300 years, their design remains timeless. Regardless of whether you live in a period property with original sash windows, or a modern house that you would like to add some character to with a new sash window installation, maintaining your sash windows is key to keeping them in top condition. Below are some tips on how to do this.

1. Keep them clean

This is one of the most important ways of maintaining your sash windows. The glass should be cleaned with a microfibre cloth and glass cleaner. This ensures the dirt is actually cleaned off, and not just smeared around the window pane. The window panes should ideally be cleaned once or twice a year.

2. Paint your windows regularly

Timber sash windows should be regularly painted in order to prevent the wood from deteriorating. Not only does the paint prevent you from having to arrange a total sash window restoration, but it also improves the appearance of the windows. For optimum health your sash windows should be painted every 3-4 years. Make sure to thoroughly clean them before painting.

3. Beware of window sticking

One of the most commonly encountered problems with sash windows is that they stick when sliding up and down, when they are meant to glide smoothly. The most common culprit for sticking is a bad paint job, a bad paint job can almost seal the windows in place. In order to remedy this issue run a sharp object along the edge of the frame.

4. Maintain the insulation

A large percentage of heat from your home can be lost thanks to poorly insulated windows. Gaps around the edge of your windows can allow cold air to flow into, and hot air to flow out of your home. If you notice there are gaps around your sash windows you may want to call a sash window repair company, as this will be costing you money on heating bills.

5. Check your windows for rot

One of the most common issues sash windows suffer from is rot. The fungus that causes rot thrives on wet wood, and the more it wears the wood down the deeper it can penetrate. It also causes paint peeling and black blemishes which means the windows will lose their aesthetic appeal. If the rot damage is superficial, a simple sash window repair. If the rot has penetrated too deeply you will need a complete sash window restoration.