Upgrading or replacing your 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 timber windows rather than replace them and in these modern times , the procedures are there to allow you to upgrade your windows effectively.  Sash window repairs and upgrades are easily carried out by a qualified handyman or carpenter.

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 sash multi-paneled 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 windows and is as effective as putting in replacement sash windows.

Adding ventilation devices to your 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 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 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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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 sash window locks 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 sashes, 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 A Window Sash.

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  by painting the window sashes, will allow them to give you many additional years of pleasure.

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The original design of the sash window is attributed to the English inventor, Robert Hooke (1635 –1703) and sash windows were a very common type of window, especially in Georgian residences and also Victorian houses.  In these residences, the most common sash window used was and is the classical style of two frames each with six panels.  This however, was a style particular to those types of residence and is not a fixed rule – many different styles of these windows survive and are in use today.

Sash windows have an advantage that allows them to be partially opened without the window falling back into the closed position, as would be expected of a heavy vertical frame.  This can be achieved in different ways.  Earlier types of these windows had ropes and counter weights (or sash weights) that were set into the window frame.  More modern types of sash type windows use friction tracks to achieve the same result.  This is a preferable method in the construction of modern houses with thinner outer walls.

Other types of windows with sashes can have hinges on one side, which, when the counter balance is disconnected on the other side, allows the window to be swung open.  This can be used as a safety measure or for cleaning purposes.

 In the past the materials used in the construction of these window frames was entirely of timber.  With the development of new products, it is quite usual to see metal (particularly aluminium) and uPVC being used instead of wooden sash windows.  Many people have to make what can be a difficult choice between timber  and uPVC sash windows.   In a further development with regard to the ‘evolution’ of sash windows, it is now common to install double glazed sash windows or triple glazed windows, and there has been a reversion to traditional sash timber windows, which can be painted or stained, according to the owner’s wishes.

Sash Window Restoration.

Sash windows have contributed in a major way to architecture, and the evolution in design of these windows show the changes in architectural and social history over several centuries.

There are window companies which specialise in the sash window repairs – some older windows can have quite a complicated counter weight system.  If at all possible, it is in the future interest of our architectural heritage that every effort be made to repair your sash windows and retain their fantastic features for future generations.  Maintaining your timber sash windows and painting your sash windows can be a slow and sometimes difficult undertaking and installing replacement sash windows can be a tempting option, but they are tasks that will bring their rewards.

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1. Sash Window Upgrading
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