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How to Restore Timber Sash Windows in Cambridge Many homes in Cambridge have sash windows with traditional designs and homeowners are proud of the way they appear However sash windows may get stuck and be difficult to open or close This is typically due to moisture that can cause the wood to swell Traditionally window boxes utilized chains cotton cords or lead weights to operate Modern window springs for sash windows are concealed to avoid this issue 1 Aesthetics Unlike PVCu windows that are made according to imperial sizes that are modular the timber sash windows are able to be restored to their original dimensions This allows the restoration of timber sash windows to comply with current energy standards and conform to conservation regulations for areas It also comes with windows that are superior to the uPVC options Sliding sash windows were initially only used in large buildings or public buildings though this changed when production became less expensive and craftsmen could produce larger frames with more glass At the close of the 18th century sash windows had become the most popular wooden style in British homes Sash windows were simple to operate and let light in rooms without the need for curtains The first windows were made of plain glass however in the 17th century the sash windows began to be more decorative They began with colored glazing bars also known as mullions They were expensive at first but as glass production became cheaper and more efficient they were a common feature in many homes of the period In the 19th century it became possible to create large sturdy glasses that didnt need support bars This allowed the frame to be enlarged which in turn provided a better view This was a very important innovation The introduction of the doublehung sliding sash was another important improvement that was made towards the end of the I920s and beginning of the I930s upvc door repair cost allowed both the lower and upper sash to be opened simultaneously and allowed for better ventilation to buildings Oak was used for older examples and more prestigious buildings A parting bead separates the two sashes It is vital that it is maintained in order to avoid rattles and drafts It is also essential that sash pulleys and idler wheels are kept in good working order as they assist in operating the window 2 Energy efficiency Sash windows were replaced by hinged casements as larger and clearer sheets became available They were glazed with plate glass set within rebated timber frames and secured with glazing sprigs and then putty on both sides to ensure they were watertight This form of glazing gradually replaced leaded lights The introduction of sashes created the need for a greater variety of ironmongery with the most basic fittings being brass pulleys lead and later cast iron weights sash stops shutter hinges and knobs and a range of fasteners that secured the sashes to their place They were often decorated with designs inscriptions and patterns engraved to identify the maker Sash windows can be very energy efficient when they are maintained regularly If they are not maintained they can get draughty Paint and putty can also cause draughts You can fix this problem by using woodtotimber products The market for replacement windows is based heavily on the belief that old windows are damaged beyond repair and therefore cannot be maintained economically However they can be maintained with a bit of attention However these repairs can be costly and cause significant disruption to your home Many homeowners opt to replace their windows using PVCu from a large onestop shop installation company These can remove and replace all windows in an entire house in just one day avoiding the need to coordinate different tradesmen and making the whole process much faster They can also be fitted with energy saving doubleglazing which can achieve greater energy efficiency than are possible with traditional windows with sash These doubleglazed units are not capable of replicating the proportions or section of the sashes made of timber from the past 3 Security It is possible to secure traditional windows without compromising their style A variety of ironmongery types can be installed with sash chains mortice bolts and locks for sash They can be positioned in a manner that the window can still be open for ventilation and cleaning These products are often unobtrusive as they are designed to work with sash windows They can be used with traditional sash window catches These should be replaced by more robust models like those that incorporate double screws or sprung levers to decrease the possibility of being hit with hammers Sashwindow frames were traditionally made from slowgrowing deal or in the more luxurious homes they were made from oak When glazing bars have survived they should be kept and if possible the timber of the cill should be replaced with identical wood PVCu companies typically offer a one stop shop installation service that can remove and replacing windows across a house in a day without the need to engage other tradespeople or coordinate visits from different suppliers 4 Ventilation Sash windows were introduced in the 17th Century and allowed for a huge amount of light to be absorbed into buildings By the end of the 18th century they were adapted to allow more light into rooms and bigger glazing panes started to be made The result was a lighter look and windows that were more elegant The introduction of sash windows also demanded a new range of ironmongery Early pulleys were made from wood whereas later Victorian ones were made from brass or a combination of wood and lead and there were a variety of shutter hinges and knobs These ironmongery elements should always be kept and cleaned so that the fine quality of their design can be appreciated To ensure they remain in good condition wooden windows require regular maintenance Inattention to maintenance can result in Sashes that do not slide smoothly Holes in the frame that allow water to enter and cause damage and decay The putty can be soaked by water and cause decay to the frame or cill Steel casement windows became popular in the I920s I930s because they were strong and slim costeffective and complemented the trend for healthy living Studies have shown that softwood sash window are just as efficient as PVCu windows and may even be more attractive The industry of replacement windows has made a significant effort to persuade house owners that their traditional windows are dirty noisy and beyond repair However many older windows made of wood are in good shape and with minor repairs can easily be repaired for many years to come 5 Maintenance A traditional sash window needs regular maintenance and inspection Inability to maintain it properly can lead to sash cords breaking excessive wear on the glazing bars and degradation of the paint and putty The removal of sashes may also cause structural movement within the frame that causes the sash to be misaligned and in a position that it is not able to close properly It is also possible for the sash to be snagged or fixed in an open position and let water and draughts enter the structure The damage to timber windows is often caused by water entry This can be avoided by careful painting regular repairs and removing the source of dampness Wet rot is easily identified by the wavy appearance of the paint which can be stripped to reveal soft rotting wood Any timber that is rotting should be cut off and the affected area carefully scarfed or pieced in using replacements made of the same kind of timber as the ones remaining This method of repair maximises the amount of original fabric that is left and is among the least invasive methods of treating timbertotimber decay The use of a wood consolidant made from resin is a different option to traditional sanding and staining The product is brushed on to the surface of the timber to help stabilize it and shield it from further damage It is particularly beneficial in the treatment of sash cords and pulleys which can help prevent breakage It is important to restore and not replace any historic ironmongery such as sash latches and stays They can be extremely difficult to replace without harming the quality of the original design It is recommended that the use of modern aluminium fittings like chain stays and sash lifts is avoided if at all possible since they can cause corrosion and deterioration of timber frames and sashes