wooden sash windows London

Sash windows are a common feature of houses in the UK. Despite looking aesthetically pleasing, over time they can become less energy efficient. But how do you know when it is time to invest in sash window repair or replace it altogether?

How You Can Repair Sash Windows

A common problem with older sash windows is the lack of insulation they provide. Single, glazed panes can wear down and become draughty which may lose heat from your household.

However, you can easily fix this problem by upgrading to double glazing instead. This can be done without replacing the sash window.

Repairing your sash window with double glazing allows you to trap a greater amount of heat. In addition, two strong panes trap a gas between them like krypton or argon which forms a superior barrier between the warm inside and cold outside. This prevents thermal bridging and condensation, both of which can make a home much cooler.

Sash window repair is an investment, yet in the short term, you will have a warmer house, lower energy bills and won™t need to get rid of your existing window frames.

Why You Should Replace Them

Notwithstanding, there are situations where you are better off replacing your sash windows.

Upgrading your windows with better materials increases the chances of it lasting longer. For example, modern glass is very durable and newer frames are more resilient when it comes to water damage and rot. So you won™t have to worry about window repair for a long time.

Another reason is if your house is extremely cold or droughty. Modern sash windows are much better at preventing heat loss. Double glazing makes it more difficult for air to get through while high-quality timber frames are less likely to swell.
Finally, sash window repair could be the more expensive option long term. After all, an old window may need regular maintenance to ensure it is still working properly. In contrast, a one-off investment of new, modern windows will keep your home warm for years to come and simultaneously lower energy bills.

There are three main types of sash windows in Britain, and these have been an architectural feature for over 200 years. These windows can tell you a huge amount about the history of a property. 

As home owners become more interested in conserving the historic features of their home, they spend more time maintaining and caring for their sash windows, and they may become more curious about how old their sash windows are, and what they have seen throughout their history. 

Types of Sash Windows

Single hung sash windows are the oldest design, these date back to Georgian times, they have only one section and this moves with a single pane of glass.

The Georgians were also responsible for developing this style into double hung sash windows. These were then taken on into the Victorian and Edwardian age. These windows feature panes placed in a variety of arrangements including six-over-six, four-over-four, nine-over-nine and six-over-two.

There are also horizontal sash windows, these have two sashes that slide sideways, as opposed to up and down. This design is far less common than conventional sash windows, so if your house features these you are very lucky.

If you have been unable to match your sash windows to the above designs, your architect may have gone rogue and added their own personal touch.

Periods of Sash Window Design

Georgians particularly adored the six-over-six design of the double hung sash window, they also introduced smaller panes of glass that were separated by glazing bars.

Victorians, in contrast, preferred one large pane of glass. They chose to feature their larger sash windows on the ground floor, and smaller sash windows on the upper floor. 

Edwardians adopted a, somewhat random, multi-pane approach, they used multiple panes of glass on the upper sash and a single pane of glass on the lower sash.

Whichever style of sash window your home features, we can help with sash window restoration, ensuring they look as good as the day they were designed.