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

Maintaining Timber Windows A wellmaintained wooden window is a crucial part of a historic building It reflects in varying levels the technology and materials of the time in which it was made the craftsmanship and architectural taste When possible repairs should be done insitu The repair system that is based on resin can be used to repair the worst areas of decay without having to remove the entire window Durability The windows made of timber in many historical buildings were made to last for a long time However they need to be maintained to ensure they look good and functioning correctly The most common maintenance tasks are repairs to sashcords retightening sash pulleys and painting The demand for enhancing windows made of timber to increase efficiency in energy use is also growing This could mean replacing old glazing units repairing existing window rebates or putting up new cills that allow the air to seal better The deterioration of paintwork is a major problem with traditional windows This is particularly important when sash windows are concerned because the gaps between sashes can often be extremely large In these instances water can get into the paint film and cause rotting of the putty as well as underlying wood Weather conditions that are not ideal can accelerate the decay To avoid this windows they should be painted regularly with an exterior wood paint that is suitable In addition to repainting areas that have corroded must be repaired using the help of a resinbased repair solution This will ensure that the maximum possible amount of the original fabric is retained It is important to minimize the number of holes created into the frame to allow cable access as these can admit moisture and cause decay The walls structural movement can also lead to distortions in the frame and the sash This could result in the sash fitting incorrectly and jamming or sticking into the opening and even broken glass Most often this is corrected by fitting new sash boxes that have been made from slow grown deal pine or oak The cill should be constructed from durable hardwood such as oak to prevent movement between the new and existing work There are several companies that make Boston pattern wooden sash that fit into the majority of existing openings These sash come in a variety of sizes and finishes that will suit the needs of modernday homeowners Together with quadruple draught strips and better thermal insulation these sashes can make a a substantial difference to the energy efficiency of a house Aesthetics Many old wooden windows have an excellent aesthetic value because they typically show in a particular way the materials and techniques and architectural style of the time from which they originate They also may have significant historical value in their own right This is particularly true of early unglazed windows in timberframed structures where the majority were simply a series openings in structural frames subdivided horizontally by mullions with vertical wood or iron bars to keep out invaders It is essential to preserve the appearance of traditional timber window joinery As soon as you see any decay caused by moisture penetration it is crucial to stop it This can be done by a thorough painting process especially in areas in which there is already damage or degradation It is advisable to use paints designed to be used as part of a system primer as well as undercoat finish and primer and follow the manufacturers guidelines in relation to preparation and number of coats required at each stage The fungus responsible for wet rot can quickly spread in old windows made of timber To stop this from happening remove any damaged or rotten parts as promptly as you are able to Replace rotting wood with slowgrowing deal pine and should it be possible the same kind of timber as the one that is being removed to prevent any differential movement Glass became more affordable and abundant in the late medieval era and into the 17th century In the process glazed openings on timberframed houses became more complex with moulded mullions wooden tracery and deep cills projecting into the air The glazing was increasingly set within rebated frames and then pinned with glazing sprigs rather than into lead cames This method of glazing is not just less prone to leaks but also allows for much wider and clearer sheets of glass to be used in windows than would otherwise be possible without the need for leaded lights Energy efficiency Traditional timber windows offer a good energy performance due to their thickness multilayer construction and very careful attention to detailing The large glass areas the deep projection cills and wide glazing areas help to reduce air infiltration With secondary glazing and draughtproofing windows can be made more efficient to improve their energy efficiency It is crucial to remember that these measures need to be considered when it comes to the overall appearance and integrity of the original windows It is sensible to fix or upgrade historic windows rather than replace them particularly when improvements in thermal efficiency can be achieved by simple repairs Older windows are usually considered to be of historical value because they demonstrate a variety in technical development and changes to the architectural style The pressure to replace these windows are typically based on the assumption that the windows that are old will need to be replaced in the near future however the majority of them are in a position to last for 150 200 and even 250 years if properly maintained It is important to recognise that the decay issues that are that are typical of timber windows can be prevented through regular maintenance and swift repairs It is also essential to recognize damp issues and address them promptly in order to avoid major damage Early paint deterioration is a major issue as it allows moisture to penetrate the wood and cause wet rot This type of damage is typically not noticed until the paintwork is cracking or wavy however it can cause serious structural damage and could lead to further decay A highquality paint will stop this moisture from entering To prevent mould and condensation it is important to keep the paintwork as clean as it can be Modern synthetic paints are problematic because they are waterresistant and can cause mildew to grow in the window frame The majority of windows from the past were constructed from sapwoodrich timber These timbers deteriorate quickly if exposed to rain however they can be protected with a thorough preservation treatment before use It is also important to ensure that the kind of wood used is suited to the location and climate conditions as these factors affect the durability of the joinery Local window manufacturers create various types of timber sash that can be tailored to fit specific historic openings wwwrepairmywindowsanddoorscouk can be constructed to the standard Boston pattern dimensions or to custom dimensions that are compatible with the architectural style of historic buildings Maintenance Regular inspections careful redecoration and quick repairs can prolong the life of wooden windows The primary reason for decay is the infiltration of moisture through deteriorated putty and paint This can be avoided with careful painting and the use of highquality wood preservative Repairs to old sash windows as well as window frames made of casement should be done with care and with minimal disruption Many traditional timber window designs are repairable without removing the frame and this option should be followed whenever possible Remove any peeling or loose paint and lightly sand the area to improve the key of the surface This will allow the new coating to stick better It is important to avoid stripping old paint layers which might have historical significance and where these are present it is recommended that a paint analysis be conducted If a piece of timber has begun to decay the best way to proceed is to remove the rotted material and replace it with splicedin inserts that are shaped to match existing profiles The timber inserts should be treated with wood preservative The junction between the masonry subcill and the timber cill should be sealed Replacement of traditional windows using PVCu can be a tempting option especially when the installer provides an allinone installation that takes care of removal and replacement in a day It is important that the installers of replacement windows have a deep understanding of the history and design of traditional timber frames This will allow them to make the appropriate suggestions for energy efficiency improvements and other technical upgrades that will not harm the historical character of a building Anyone who installs replacement windows should be registered under a Competent Persons Scheme such as FENSA This will ensure that replacement windows are deemed acceptable in accordance with Building Regulations as a suitable alternative It is of course possible for a skilled and experienced carpenter to install PVCU windows that are sympathetic to the the original building This is especially relevant when windows are in conservation areas or listed buildings