Timber or uPVC Sash Windows?

Given the manufacturing quality available, today’s uPVC sash windows can be indistinguishable from the old timber sash windows you may be considering getting rid of.  After years of maintaining your timber sash windows, putting up with draughty air coming from the general area of your window frames, being able to hear the cat having a scratch outside in the garden, (with your windows closed), and having a heating bill that rivaled that of a large hotel , you have decided enough is enough.

Modern PVC sash windows have many advantages over the old timber windows and while it is praiseworthy to make every effort to retain and repair your old sash windows, sometimes you may have no choice.

Heat Retention and Noise Suppression: Double glazed uPVC sash windows have the obvious advantages of keeping in your precious (and expensive) heat and also to keep out some level of street noise. The accumulative gap space around a timber window that has shrunk or rotted can be quite considerable, up to 25 centimeters in exaggerated cases.  Naturally this will have a profound effect on the ability of your house to retain heat and to keep outside noises out, (and inside noises in!).

Ease of Cleaning: In addition many of these windows have a tilt feature. This feature allows you to clean a sash window from the inside, so no more hanging off a ladder outside.

uPVC Sash Windows.

New And Replacement uPVC Sash Windows.

Low maintenance: There is no doubt that uPVC sash windows do not require the same level of maintenance as timber windows.  Regular cleaning, oiling of hinge parts with some WD-40 and your done.  Compare that with the painting and re-painting, cleaning, re-puttying, un-sticking, re-cording, etc, of timber windows and there is no contest.

In today’s society, people want to purchase quality home products that are long lasting and need low maintenance.  Therefore sash uPVC windows, metal roofing materials and other long life building products will always be attractive options to consumers.

Security: Sash uPVC windows in general are more secure than timber windows, at least older timber windows – it has to be said that there are many timber window manufacturers that have worked hard to improve the security of timber windows.  However, with built in locking systems uPVC sash windows are a much more secure prospect than your old faithful sash window locks, that you actually had held closed by that piece of jammed cardboard for the last few years!

Easy Installation: Installation of new uPVC sash windows in place of your old timber sash windows, is not difficult. The old windows are easily removed and the new windows installed with very little hassle.  It would be recommended that you would engage the services of a professional window glazier and installer.

Maintaining Timber Sash Windows

If you have existing timber sash windows in your home, they could be of any vintage.  Wooden sash windows started to appear in Europe in the late 17th century and became one of the most popular windows to be installed.  hopefully you will be able to repair your timber sash windows but if your windows are damaged beyond reasonable repair, you may have to consider choosing between uPVC or timber sash windows as replacements.

Georgian sash windows and Victorian sash windows are still very much in evidence today.  In America, the term ‘hung sash windows’ is used to describe these installations and they are equally as popular.

There are various points which should be noted if you wish to regularly clean and maintain your  windows and have them still be looking well and functioning properly for the next generation.  Traditional problems with timber sash windows include rot to the timber work, noise due to creaking or rattling in windy conditions,  wear of your sash window locks, sticking of windows due to overpainting and the inability to open the windows properly due to cord damage.

Cleaning: The glass and timber should be washed and cleaned regularly as this helps with brightness within the residence and helps keep dirt free from moving parts.  As you may have 12 small panes, (or more) in each window, there is more work and care involved than in a more modern single or double paned unit – however it is well worth the effort to keep the wooden sash windows fresh looking.

Window Security (click on image for details) Timber Sash Windows

Window Security (click on image for details)

One factor that you should consider before cleaning your uPVC windows is that you may wish to remove any vertical blinds, temporary window shades, or close hanging curtains, so that they do not get wet while you are cleaning.  these items are usually easy to remove temporarily and replace again when you have completed your cleaning.

It is important to remember to keep safety as a paramount consideration when cleaning any windows – do not over reach at any time. Given the design of traditional sash windows you should be able to safely reach all surfaces of regular sized windows without over reaching or bending out of an opened window.

Painting: Painting of window sashes is extremely important for the preservation of the timberwork of long periods.  Timber sash windows may require re painting every 4-6 years depending on the aspect of the residence, local climate conditions, etc.  Do not wait until very visible signs of damage to the existing paintwork are visible.  Try to have a regular pattern of inspection and repair for your sash windows and they will reward you with much less costly replacement of timberwork in the long term.  As was pointed out earlier one of the problems with over painting windows is that they can become difficult to open so care is need with paint application.

Most older wooden sash windows have counterweights in place, which allow you to open a large window vertically and to have it stay in place, seemingly defying gravity.  In actual fact this is achieved by having these sash counterweights set into the hollow sides of the window case.  The weights  for timber sash windows are attached to cords that pass over a pulley and it is important to regularly inspect these cords at reasonable intervals to ensure that they are still in good condition.  If they do need replacement the sashes will need to be removed from the frame, which is ideally a task for 2 people.  It is also advisable to get a trained carpenter to carry out this task.