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https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/cambridge-windowrepair/
Maintaining Timber Windows A wellmaintained wooden window is an important part of a historic building It reflects in different degree the materials and technologies of the time it was constructed as well as the craftsmanship and architectural taste When repairs are feasible to existing windows are required they should be carried out insitu Proprietary resinbased repair systems can be used to fix the worst areas of decay without removing the entire window Durability Timber windows were built to last for hundreds of years However they need to be maintained to ensure they look good and functioning correctly The most common maintenance tasks include repairs to sash cords retightening sash pulleys and painting The need to upgrade timber windows in order to increase energy efficiency is also growing This can involve replacing old glazing units repairing existing window rebates or putting in new cills to allow for better air sealing The corrosion of paintwork is a major issue with traditional windows This is especially important when it comes to sash windows because the gaps between sashes may be extremely large In these circumstances water can penetrate the paint film and cause rotting of the putty and the wood underneath Poor weather conditions can exacerbate the decay To stop this from happening windows they should be painted regularly using a suitable exterior wood paint Corroded areas should also be repaired using a resinbased product This will ensure that the best possible amount of the original fabric is preserved It is important to minimize the number of holes that are made in the frame to allow cable access since they can let in moisture and cause decay Another issue with older windows is the structural movement within the wall which could cause deformation of the frame and the sash This can lead to the sash not fitting properly jamming or sticking in the opening and broken glass This is often corrected by fitting new sash frames made of slowgrown deal pine or oak The cill needs to be constructed of a durable hardwood like oak to avoid shifting between the new and old work There are several companies that produce Boston pattern wooden sash that fit in with the majority of openings These sash are available in a variety of sizes and finishes to meet the needs of the modern homeowner The new sash combined with quadruple draft strips and a better thermal insulation can significantly improve the energyefficiency of a home Aesthetics Many old timber windows have a high aesthetic value because they typically show in a particular way the materials and technologies and architectural taste of the time in which they date They could have significant historical value on their own This is especially true of windows that were unglazed in the early days of timberframed buildings in which the majority were simply a series of openings within structural frames that were subdivided horizontally by mullions with vertical iron or wood bars in order to protect against intrusions It is important to maintain the appearance of traditional timber window joinery It is essential that any decay resulting from moisture penetration should be removed as soon as it is discovered This is best accomplished by a thorough painting process especially in areas where there has already been damage or degradation It is advisable to use paints designed to be used as part of the system primer undercoat finish and to follow the manufacturers recommendations in relation to preparation and number of coats needed at each stage The fungus responsible for wet rot can spread quickly in old windows made of timber To stop this from happening take out any damaged or rotten components as promptly as you are able to Replace rotting wood with slowgrown deal pine and when possible the exact kind of timber that is being removed to prevent the possibility of differential movement Glass became cheaper and more abundant in the late medieval era and into the 17th century This led to glazed openings on timberframed houses became more complex with moulded mullions wooden tracery and deep cills projecting into the air In recent years glazing was pinned into rebated frames with glazing sprigs rather than lead cames This method of glazing is not only less susceptible to leaks but also allows for much wider clearer sheets of glass to be used in windows than would have been possible without the need for lead lights window lock repairs repairmywindowsanddoors are energy efficient because of their thickness multilayer construction and attention to the smallest of details They also have large glass areas and projecting cills that minimise air infiltration The windows can be made to increase their energy efficiency through draughtproofing and secondary glazing It is crucial to remember that these measures should be taken into consideration in relation to the overall integrity and appearance of the original windows It is sensible to fix or upgrade windows that are older rather than replacing them especially when the improvements in thermal efficiency can be achieved through simple fixes Older windows are usually of historical value as they reflect a variety of technological advancement and changes in architectural taste Most people think that these windows will need to be replaced in the near future However many of them can still provide service for 150 200 or even 250 years with proper maintenance It is crucial to recognize that the decay issues caused by traditional timber windows can be avoided through regular maintenance and swift repairs In addition it is essential to recognize damp penetration issues and fix them promptly to avoid serious damage The early deterioration of paint is a major issue as it allows moisture to penetrate the wood and cause wet rot This damage is often not noticed until the paintwork becomes cracking or wavy however it can cause serious structural damage and could lead to further decay A paint of good quality will prevent moisture penetration To prevent condensation and mould it is important to keep the paintwork as clean as it can be Modern synthetic paints can be problematic because they are usually formulated to be waterresistant and this may cause the growth of mildew in the window frame The majority of windows from the past were constructed of sapwoodrich timber These timbers are susceptible to deterioration quickly when exposed to moist weather however they can be protected by an extensive preservative treatment prior to when they are used It is important to choose the right kind of wood for the site and climate as these factors will affect the durability of the joinery Local window manufacturers produce a range of sash made of timber that can be adapted to fit specific historic openings They can be built according to the standard Boston pattern dimensions or to custom sizes that fit with historic buildings Maintenance Regular inspection carefully redecorated as well as quick repairs can prolong the lifespan of windows made of timber The main reason for the decay is moisture intrusion through deteriorated putty and paint This can be prevented by thorough painting and the use of a good quality wood preservative It is essential that repairs to old sash or casement windows are done correctly and carried out with the minimum disturbance Many traditional timber window designs can be repaired without removing the frame and this approach should be taken whenever possible Remove peeling or loose paint and then lightly sand the surface to improve the key of the surface This will allow the new coating to adhere better It is important to avoid stripping paint layers that could have historical value and if they are present it is recommended that a paint analysis be conducted Where a section of timber is rotten the best way to proceed is to eliminate the rotten material and replace it with splicedin timber inserts that are shaped to fit the existing profiles The wood that is being inserted should be treated with wood preservative and the connection between the timber cill and the subcill of the masonry should be sealed Replacement of windows made of traditional PVCu may be an attractive option especially when the installer offers an allinone installation service that can handle removal and replacement within one day It is however crucial that the person who installs windows replacement has a thorough understanding of the construction and history of traditional wooden frames This will allow them to make the appropriate recommendations for energy efficiency improvements and other technical improvements that do not alter the historic character of a building Those providing replacement windows should be registered with a Competent Persons Scheme such as FENSA This will ensure that the replacements are approved as a suitable option under Building Regulations It is of course possible for a skilled and experienced carpenter to install PVCu windows that match the the building originally This is particularly true when the windows are situated within listed buildings or conservation areas
