Sash Windows

Why You Should Consider Double Glazed Sash Windows.

You will come across sash windows everywhere.  They have made a modern day resurgence, so you will see them in many housing estates, but as they have been around for a long time you can see them in houses up to five centuries old.  If they are in an old residence and are in need of repair, they may be contributing greatly to heat loss in the home.  Added to this, it is quite possible that the house will have rooms with high ceilings and other factors that are reducing it’s thermal capacity.

Consider Double Glazed Sash Windows

Consider Double Glazed Sash Windows

Much as a homeowner that has old sash windows in his or her home may love them, the fact that they are losing heat from the home and thereby adding to the fuel bill means that their poor insulation problems have to be tackled.

One of the most effective remedies is to install double glazed sash windows into the residence.  A quality window of this type will have a high R-value, meaning that it’s insulation properties will be excellent and it will greatly increase the ability of the residence to retain heat.  In environmentally conscious times this will make your home more eco-friendly as well as being kind to your pocket.

There are other advantages to double glazed sash windows including the fact that a double glazed window will always be more secure than an old timber framed window. Old window were built for a different time, a time when burglaries were quite uncommon.  However, in these less secure times, it brings greater comfort and security to a homeowner to know that their windows have a mulit-point locking system and that an individual window, or all of your windows can be locked if you are leaving your home for any period of time.

Double glazed sash windows also block a lot of noise pollution from entering a home.  This can be particularly important in a location that suffers from motorway noise, or a residence that is located in an area close to an airport.  Added to the fact that you can keep noise pollution at bay, these windows will also help keep air pollution from entering your home also, in a way that your old timber sash windows were not able to do.

When you consider all of the above benefits that can be received by changing your old timber sash windows to double glazed sash windows, then you do have to seriously consider your options.  There is such a range of quality double glazed sash windows out there, that you should have no difficulty finding replacement windows to suit your residence.

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How And Why To Upgrade A Sash Window

If you have wooden sash windows in your home and are unsure whether to replace with pvc sash windows or upgrade them, then this article will be of tremendous value to you.  We will tell you why you should in fact upgrade a sash window, and how to undertake that project, from glazing to draught proofing and including ventilation and security.  After you have finished this article you will have no fear of upgrading your sash windows.

Upgrading or replacing your sash windows has many economic and living benefits.  It will increase the security of your home, halt the heat loss process and make your home more sound proof.  It is definitely more cost effective to upgrade your sash windows rather than replace them and in these modern times , the procedures are there to allow you to upgrade your sash windows effectively.  Sash window repairs and upgrades are easily carried out by a qualified handyman or carpenter.

The Beauty Of A Sash Window.

The Beauty Of A Sash Window.

The best option for upgrading a sash window with regard to double glazing is to have secondary glazing put in place.  This usually means having a secondary sheet or pane hung inside the existing window, that is side-hung.  This is a much cheaper option than installing double glazed sash windows throughout your home, or trying to upgrade by double glazing each panel of a multi-paneled sash window and it is a very effective way of enjoying the energy saving benefits of double glazing.

Upgrading your traditional sash windows by draught stripping is another procedure easily carried out that will unobtrusively stop cold air from entering and circulating in your home.  It is a cost effective heat-saving task that involves lining the sashes with strips of a draught proof material and it will cut down on noise from the outside and will also stop dust from entering your home. This is another step in the process of upgrading your sash windows and is as effective as putting in replacement sash windows.

Adding ventilation devices to your sash windows is usually unnecessary as it is easy to open one or both of the sashes slightly in order to allow air to circulate.  If, in order to vent a gas appliance or stove, you need to have fixed ventilation in your window, you can simply put a block on the top sash of the window and this would mean that the sash is kept open at whatever size is required for ventilation purposes.  Placing vents in sash window frames is not advised as it could lead to a weakening of the frames.

Even old timber sash windows are renowned for excellent locks and given that sash windows only open or close with a vertical action does help when it comes to security.  Additional locks can be added to existing security devices and again block can be put in place on the sashes in order  to allow the window to be opened a certain amount , but not enough for an intruder to enter.  This option is only suitable where an emergency exit from the window is not required.

By using the above methods to upgrade your existing sash window or sash windows means that you will have tackled heat and energy loss, put up an effective barrier to external noise, tackled any ventilation issues and improved the security  of your home.  All of this will have been carried out at a fraction of the cost that would have been incurred if you had chosen to install uPVC sash windows.  So do not stand back from the prospect of having to upgrade your sash windows, but embrace it instead.

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Painting A Timber Window Sash In Sash Windows.

Before you commence painting a window sash in  sash windows, it is important to prepare properly – the amount of work you will have to do in this regard will depend on the state of the existing paintwork.  Remember that repairing sash windows can be a slow task, but it is a necessary task unless you are debating between uPVC or timber sash windows.  Replacement sash windows may not need to be painted , but they will be expensive to purchase and install.

If the existing paintwork is reasonably sound, you can probably repaint a window sash without stripping the old paint from the frame.  In this case unscrew or take off any metal clasps or additions that are removable, (besides hinges), brush and rub down the frames in order to remove any dirt and repair / fill any small dents, old screw holes, etc, that are apparent.  One other point we would like to make.  It is best to remove any blinds, curtains, voiles and other close hanging fabrics before you commence.  You do not want your beautiful fabric gold curtains to be damaged by paint striper or putty.  Any damaged paint work, blisters, knotted areas, etc, should be sanded down, filled with a suitable filler and rubbed down again in order to get a smooth finish. The entire frame should then be sanded with a medium sandpaper and finished with fine sandpaper.

In cases where the paint has deteriorated to the point where is has to be removed completely, again take off all possible additions from the window sash, before stripping the old paint from the frame.  For this operation there are various methods that can be employed, (i.e.  a chemical paint stripper or heat gun / blow torch).  Once all of the paint has been removed, use firstly medium sandpaper and then fine sandpaper in order to achieve a smooth surface for painting.

When you commence painting the wooden sash windows, first apply a primer coat and when this has dried you should rub the frame with a fine sand paper, just to smooth the surface, not to expose the timberwork.

The Enduring Appeal Of Sash Windows.

The Enduring Appeal Of A Window Sash in Sash Windows.

You may wish to protect the window sash glass from getting paint by placing masking tape on the glass before commencing.  You need to be careful when painting sash windows, a there is a high frame to glass ratio compared to non sash windows. Therefore you do not want to intrude on the glass area with the paint, except with the final coat which should come onto the glass for about 1 millimeter. If paint gets onto the glass wait until it is dry before scraping it off.

Your task will be made easier if you purchase a sash trim brush, a brush which is slightly angled to make it easier to get into 90-degree corners and tight spaces.

If you are starting on the inside of the residence, raise the bottom window sash and lower the top sash and paint the available lower half of the top sash.  Use a small paintbrush with not too much paint on the brush at any one time.  When you have completed this area, raise the top sash and lower the bottom sash and complete the painting of the top sash.

Once you have completed the top sash you will be able to paint the bottom sash, which is completely visible to you.

Once you have finished painting the sashes, leave them open to dry.  Paint the rest of the frame after the sashes are dry to touch.

Then move both sashes down as far as they will go. Paint the exposed jambs. Reverse the process raising both window sashes and paint the lower jambs.  Put on only as much paint as is necessary. Wait for the paint to dry and oil the channels with a suitable lubricant,   be it paraffin or a silicone spray.

The continual maintenance of your timber sash windows will allow them to give you many additional years of pleasure.

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