Sash Windows

Who Installs the Sash Windows ?

Sash Windows — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:51:37 +0000

Why is it that many joinery companies distance themselves from installation of their windows and doors?

I find one of the most frequently asked questions is; ‘do you install or supply only?’ It continues to amaze me how joinery/window companies expect customers to invest a substantial sum of money with them and yet expect somebody else to take responsibility for the installation. A number of companies refuse point blank, while others subtly recommend independent or preferred installers who will invoice the client separately. This will ultimately absolve the main supplier of much of their after sales service obligations and may leave the client ‘falling between two stools’ as they say.

Why do they do this? Simple really;

Mainly, they have a lack of confidence in their product. If sometime after installation a client has a problem with a window or door such as a door leaf sagging or catching the frame, which can happen even with a quality product, the manufacturer’s automatic response will be; ‘….sounds like an installation issue – take it up with the installer…..’, and so the battle begins. With a quality product adjustments can be made and normally typical snagging issues are easily resolved but with a cheaper, lesser quality product this not always possible.

They can avoid taking responsibility. If a supplier invoices you for supply only and installation is invoiced separately, the majority of their responsibilities stop when the product is delivered and paid for. They obviously must still cover components and manufacturing faults but their first course of reply will be the same; ‘….sounds like an installation issue – take it up with the installer…..’ or ‘…..it must have got damaged during installation…’ is another one.

This leaves the customer very exposed.

There is however one legitimate reason; when trying to quote for a renovation project, there is a risk that unforeseen problems will be encountered when installation begins. In an old house there is no way of telling what you will find when you start stripping back the window surrounds and in my experience every old house project will produce something to test you. These issues may add extra hours, even days to an installation which have not been factored into the price. Most clients will be reasonable when this happens, although some will still expect the project to be completed as agreed.

As a client there is only one way to purchase timber windows and doors. Find a respected supplier of quality windows and doors who is willing to stand behind their products and has a proven after sales service. Purchasing windows and doors for a home is a substantial investment and people deserve some peace of mind.

Kingsbridge Joinery offer a complete nationwide installation service on all their timber sash windows, wooden windows and alu clad windows and doors.

Sash Windows – Alu Clad or Timber?

Sash Windows — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:24:14 +0000

When people are making a decision to replace their sliding sash windows or indeed install them in their new home, they quite often struggle with the dilemma of choosing between the traditional wooden sliding sash windows and the more modern alu clad sash windows. Although there are obvious benefits associated with both, the decision will ultimately come down to the style of home you are trying to create, and of course personal preference. For the full article on the question of (Aluminium Clad Sash Windows click here …)

Old Sash Windows

Sash Windows — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:36:26 +0000

Q. Is there a “new widget” to replace the ropes/weights for opening the window and closing, placed into each track of the window?

Thanks in advance

Best,
Jackson

A. Jackson, thank you for your enquiry.

New sash windows can be fitted with ‘spiral balances’ instead of traditional weights and pulleys. To my knowledge there is no system that can be retro-fitted to existing sliding sash windows as the sashes have to be machined to take these balances/springs.

Having said that it would be possible but I have never seen it done as I would have thought it easier to repair the weights and pulleys system.

Kind Regards,
David

What Type of Timber for My Sash Windows

Sash Windows — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:09:18 +0000

Q. What is the best wood to use for window frames? Is pine and tulip woods ok to use for the frames as long as the windows are treated and painted.

Liz

A. Liz, thank you for your enquiry.

I find that the best timber for external windows and doors is A Grade Sapele Mahogany. It is the most expensive but is the most stable and longest lasting. As it is so dense you the initial factory finish will last much longer than other woods. Accoya is a new treated softwood which is said to be even better.

I have no experience of using Tulip woods but Pine is often used, and sometimes with a hardwood cill for extra protection.

I would always recommend a factory finish as painting on site will never be as successful.

If you have any other queries please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind Regards,
David

Sash Windows Listed Building Project

Sash Windows — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 07:41:20 +0000

Q. I am very interested in your sash windows. I have a small project on a listed building and need 4 x sash windows (double glazed) 12 paned georgian style, approximately 1800mm high x 1100mm. I need some advice on whether to go with spiral balances or traditional weights and pulleys.

Kind Regards
Darron

A. Darron,

Thank you for your enquiry.

Being a listed building you will probably be required to replace your windows with like for like, ie sash windows with traditional weights and pulleys. In my opinion they will be aesthetically correct and look better than spiral balances. You are also less likely to have problems with weights and pulleys as there is less that can go wrong with them. The walls of your home were probably built to incorporate box sash windows with weights and pulleys which makes them the ideal fit.

If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind Regards,
David

Painting Hardwood Windows – which paint is best?

Sash Windows — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:58:16 +0000

Question.

I am having windows constructed in sapele – due for completion early Oct. They are provided primed but I am having them painted at home. We will be painting them inside the house before they are fitted so they can several coats to protect them properly before being exposed to the elements but they will be painted by brush. I would like advice on which paint to use. I have looked at Teknos waterbased primer and topcoats (maintenance 7-10 years) and Dulux Weathershield Preservative Basecoat and Opaque Woodstain (solvent based with a maintenance of 10 years). I have read very positive reviews of both but don’t know which will ultimately protect my windows best – we live in a very wet and windy area, my house is 200 years old and the walls get quite wet! I also generally prefer the finish of oil based paint. Please can you give me advice asap as the joiner needs to know which primer to use shortly.

Please help, this problem is sending me nuts.

Thanks in advance.

Helen

Answer.

Helen,

Thank you for your enquiry. Ideally wood windows should be painted in the workshop before assembly and glazing. This ensures all surfaces of the wood are sealed and exact tolerances can be allowed for. It also prevents seals from being painted over and obstructed. Professional spraying gives a much superior paint foundation which will last longer.

Personally I would use the micro-porous/Teknos type primer and 3 top coats as this allows the timber to breathe and maintenance down the line is much easier than oil based gloss paint. Whereas if moisture is to penetrate through a crack or a joint on an oil based finish it’s more likely to be sealed in causing the wood to rot.

Painted finishes will generally last longer than stained ones. The darker the stain finish means the more Uv protection and hence the longer lasting finish.

Good luck with the project.

Kind Regards,
David

David invites more sash windows questions

Sash Windows Triple Glazed or Double Glazed?

Sash Windows — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 17:18:49 +0000

It is not unusual for us at Kingsbridge Joinery to receive enquiries from people looking for triple glazed sash windows. This query can be expected because people are looking for the beauty of a sliding sash window combined with optimum insulation value from modern glazing. While anything is possible really from a bespoke joinery workshop, there are two main reasons why they are not commonly used.

Recent improvements in the u-values and performance of double glazed units have made them almost as efficient as triple glazed units
Placing a triple glazed unit into a sash window can take from its slender appearance and make the window look bulky and commercial like.

Kingsbridge provide Certified Low U Values Windows for their customers across a comprehensive range of timber sash windows and aluminium clad sash windows.

David Geraghty

Sash Windows: whistling drafts and frozen condensation on Winter’s mornings. Surely this is not still the case?

Sash Windows — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 08:52:23 +0000

This question comes from Anne in Essex.

Question. We are building a new home at the moment and I really want wooden sliding sash windows. Unfortunately, my husband grew up in an old farmhouse and his experience of sash windows is of whistling drafts and frozen condensation on winter’s mornings. Surely this is not still the case?

Answer. I know exactly what he means, my grandmother’s house was the very same. Getting out of bed on a winter morning was painful. Thankfully sash window construction has been transformed since then with the addition of double glazing and extensive draft seals and brushes.

Sliding sash windows can now achieve U-Values as low as 1.4W/m2K which is well within building regulations, and is a massive improvement on older single glazed windows.

A Kingsbridge sash window also holds an air permeability certificate which states it meets the requirements of Category 3, 600Pa. This means it will withstand winds of 71mph.

So, if you chose the right supplier you will have no ‘whistling drafts and frozen condensation’. I trust these factors will put your husband at ease.

David

When will I have to re-paint my sash windows ?

Sash Windows — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:22:25 +0000

Answer. When you choose pre-finished wooden windows, the lifspan of the paint work will mainly depend on the type of timber used in construction. Obviously the exposure of the building and whether or not the units receive any maintenance and cleaning will also have an effect on durability.

Factory finishing ensures an even and comprehensive covering of paint which cannot be achieved on site and provides peace of mind that all aspects of the window are protected from the elements.

Paint warranties on timber sash windows and doors are as much as 12 years on Accoya, 10 years on hardwood Sapele Mahogany and 8 years on laminated softwood. Depending on conditions the paint finish may last even longer. See this link for a case study of a Kingsbridge Joinery project – (Pre-finished sash windows, 10 years later)

When the time comes to re-paint, micro-porous paints are much more user friendly than the old gloss paints of days gone by.

David

David invites more sash windows questions

Ask David a Sash Windows Question

Sash Windows — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:12:15 +0000

Quite often I am asked to provide information, and answers to questions in relation to Sash Window installations for new builds or existing homes. These include questions about sash windows installations, longevity of sash windows, their green credentials etc.

I welcome these questions and here on sashwindowsguide.com I will display some of the questions I have received in the past along with those asked by visitors to the site.

I invite you to ask a question by filling in the form below and I will endeavor to answer it for you.

Regards,
David Geraghty

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