Purchasing Sash Window Locks.

If you have elegant sash windows installed in your home and you want to improve on their appearance, as well as providing improved security, you can consider installing  ornate sash window locks throughout the home.  As well as looking well on each window, a brass sash window lock, if replicated throughout the home, provides a theme to your windows which look really well.

Homeowners may shy away from such an idea, thinking that seeking out and purchasing window locks from antique shops and salvage yards would be an expensive way to go.  However, you can purchase very good reproduction antique sash window locks, which will look the part but will not cost you the earth.

Brass sash window lock. Brass sash window locks.

Brass sash window lock

Installation of these locks when you get them is not too difficult once you follow some basic guidelines.  Be sure to purchase window locks that correspond with the windows that you have in your home and also try to get locks that compliment any existing hardware that you already have on your windows.  For instance if you already have brass furnishings on your windows, stick to this look for your new window locks.  You could also use the opportunity to replace any interior or exterior hardware that has become worn or faded.

It is hard to overstate the importance of the need for security with regard to the windows of your home.  If you were to install uPVC window, you would probably have very secure multi-point locking systems in each window frame.  Having a window lock on each of your timber sash windows at least helps to stop the window being opened from the outside.  The basic lock will be keyless, but you can opt for a lock with a key for each window also, which does give added security.  One has to note that windows that have key locks can have the disadvantage of being hard to exit during times of emergency.

Probably the best place to start your search for sash window locks whether they be brass, iron or uPVC window locks would be online, as you can look at a large range of available locks from different manufacturers, all from the comfort of your home.

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Sash Window Upgrading

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 windows.

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 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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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.

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