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https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/cambridge-windowrepair/

Maintaining Timber Windows A wellmaintained wooden window is an important component of a historical building It illustrates in varying degrees the materials and technologies craftsmanship and architectural taste of the time period from which it dates If it is possible repairs must be made onsite Repairing the most deteriorated areas of decay is possible by using specialized resinbased systems Durability The windows made of wood in many historical buildings were made to last for centuries They do require some maintenance to keep them looking great The most frequent maintenance tasks include repairs to sash cords as well as tightening sash pulleys and painting The need to upgrade windows made of timber to improve energy efficiency is also growing This could mean replacing old glazing units fixing the window rebates that are in place or putting in new cills for improved air sealing The corrosion of paintwork is a major issue with traditional windows This is especially important when sash windows are concerned as the gaps between sashes can often be extremely large In these cases water can enter the paint film and cause rotting to the putty or wood beneath The rotting may be further aggravated by weather conditions that are not ideal To prevent this from happening windows should be regularly painted with an exterior wood paint Corroded areas should also be repaired using resinbased products This will ensure the maximum amount of original fabric retained It is also essential to minimise the number of holes drilled into the frame to allow cable entry as these can let in water and cause decay The walls structural movement could also cause distortions in the frame as well as sash This could result in the sash fitting incorrectly jamming sticking or sagging in the opening and broken glass This can often be fixed through the installation of new sash boxes constructed from slowgrowing deal pine or oak The cill must be constructed of a durable hardwood like oak to prevent movement between the new and existing work To help reduce this problem there are now a number of companies who produce Boston pattern wooden sash that will fit into the majority of existing openings These sash come in a variety of sizes and finishes to suit the needs of modernday homeowners The new sash coupled with quadruple draft strips and a more efficient thermal insulation could make a huge difference to the efficiency of a homes energy use Aesthetics Many old timber windows have a high aesthetic value because they typically demonstrate in a way the materials and technology and architectural style of the time in which they date They may have significant historical value as a set This is particularly true of early windows that were not glazed in timberframed buildings which were just a collection of openings within the frame that were subdivided horizontally into mullions and vertical wood or iron bars to deter invaders Traditional timber window joinery can be a stunning element of a structure and is essential to maintain its appearance As soon as you notice any decay caused by water penetration it is essential to stop it It is best to do this by thorough painting particularly if there has been damage or deterioration It is best to choose paints that are intended to be used in a system primer undercoat and finish and to adhere to the manufacturers recommendations for preparation and number of coats at each stage Wet rot is a common issue in older timber windows The best method to stop it from developing is to remove any damaged or rotten parts immediately to stop the spread of the fungus that causes it The replacement of rotting timber should be carefully undertaken by using a slowgrowing deal pine and if possible using the same species as which is being removed in order to prevent any movement differences between the new and old timbers In the late medieval and 17th century periods glass became more affordable and abundant so that the glazed openings in timberframed buildings gradually became elegant with wooden tracery moulded mullions and deep protruding cills In recent years glass was fixed to rebated frames with glazing sprigs not lead cames This method of glazing is not just less susceptible to leaks but it can allow for larger clearer more transparent sheets of glass to be used in the windows than would be possible without the need for leaded lights Energy efficiency Traditional timber windows provide a good energy performance due to their thickness and multilayer construction They also pay careful attention to detailing The large glass areas deep projection cills and wide glazing areas reduce air infiltration Windows can be designed to increase their energy efficiency by draughtproofing and secondary glazing It is essential to keep in mind that these measures need to be considered when it comes to the overall integrity and look of the original windows So retaining existing historic windows that are in need of repair instead of replacing them is logical especially when their thermal enhancements can be achieved economically through simple repairs and upgrades Historic windows are often of historical value as they show a range in technical development and changes to architectural taste Most people think that these windows will need to be replaced in the near future However they can still provide service for 150 200 or even 250 years if you take care of maintenance It is essential to understand that the decay issues that are associated with traditional timber windows can be avoided through regular maintenance and swift repairs Additionally it is crucial to identify damp penetration problems and address them swiftly to avoid serious damage The early deterioration of paint is a major issue because it allows moisture to penetrate the wood and cause wet rot This damage is often not noticed until the paintwork is damaged or wavy however it can cause serious structural damage and can lead to further decay A quality paint will block moisture penetration It is also important to keep the paintwork in good condition in order to prevent condensation and the growth of mould The use of modern synthetic paints can be problematic because they are usually made to be waterresistant and this may result in the formation of mildew within the window frame The majority of older windows were constructed of sapwoodrich timber The timbers will deteriorate quickly when exposed to wet weather but can be protected with a thorough treatment of preservative before they are used It is important to choose the right kind of wood for the location and climate as these factors can affect the longevity of the joinery Local window manufacturers create a range of sash made of timber that can be customized to fit specific historic openings They can be constructed to the standard Boston pattern dimensions or to custom sizes that fit with the architectural style of historic buildings Maintenance The life span of windows made from timber can be extended significantly by regular inspection as well as a careful redecoration and prompt repair The main reason for decay is moisture intrusion through deteriorated putty and paint This can be avoided by using a quality wood preservative and thoroughly painting the wood double glazing repairs Repair My Windows And Doors is crucial that repairs to the old sash and casement windows are properly executed and done with minimal disruption Many of the traditional designs for timber windows can be repaired without removing the frame and this approach should be used whenever it is feasible Paint that is peeling or loose must be removed with care and lightly sanded to improve the key of the surface and facilitate a better adhesion of the new coating Care should be taken to avoid stripping old paint layers which might have historical significance If these are present it is recommended that a paint analysis be conducted When a section of wood has rotted the best solution is to take it off and replace it with timber inserts designed to match existing profiles The timber inserts should be treated using wood preservative The junction between masonry subcill and timber cill should be sealed It can be tempting to replace traditional windows with PVC u particularly if the installer offers an installation that includes both removal and replacement within a single day However it is crucial that the person who installs replacement windows has a full understanding of the construction and history of traditional timber frames This will allow them to make appropriate recommendations for energy efficiency improvements and other technical upgrades that do not alter the historical character of a building The windows that are replaced should be registered with a Competent Persons Scheme such as FENSA This will ensure that the replacements are approved in accordance with Building Regulations as a suitable option A skilled carpenter can put in PVCu windows that conform to the original character of the building This is especially true where windows are installed in listed buildings or conservation areas

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