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https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/cambridge-windowrepair/

Maintaining Timber Windows A wellmaintained window made of timber is an important element of the historic fabric of a building It illustrates in varying degrees the different materials and technologies design craftsmanship and aesthetics of the period that it was built in If possible repairs should be made insitu Repairing the most deteriorated areas of decay can be done with the help of specialized resinbased systems Durability The windows made of timber in many historic buildings were made to last for hundreds of years However they do need to be maintained to ensure they look good and operating properly Maintenance tasks include sash cord repairs as well as tightening the pulleys for sash and painting The demand for upgrading timber windows to increase energy efficiency is also growing This could include replacing old glazing units fixing the window rebates that are in place or installing new cills to improve air seal A key problem with traditional windows is the damage caused by the corrosion of the paintwork This is especially important where windows made of sash are involved because the gaps between sashes can be quite wide In these instances water can penetrate paint film and cause rotting to the wood or putty beneath Poor weather conditions can exacerbate the rotting To prevent this from happening windows should be painted regularly with an exterior wood paint Corroded areas should also be repaired using resinbased products This will ensure that the best possible amount of the original fabric remains It is important to minimize the number of holes made into the frame in order to allow cable entry since they can let in moisture and cause decay Another major issue with older windows is the structural movement within the wall which can cause deformation of the frame and sash This can lead to the sash not fitting properly or sticking or jamming into the opening and broken glazing This can be fixed frequently by putting in new sash frames made of slowgrown deal pine or oak The cill must be made from a sturdy hardwood such as oak to avoid the movement of new and old work To help reduce this problem to reduce the risk of this happening there are several companies that manufacture Boston pattern wooden sash that can be fitted into most openings These sash come in a variety of sizes and finishes that will meet the requirements of modernday homeowners These sash are combined with quadruple draft strips and a more efficient thermal insulation could make a huge difference to the energyefficiency of a home Aesthetics A lot of old timber frames have a great aesthetic appeal as they reflect in some shape the materials technology and architectural aesthetics of the time they were built They may also have significant historical significance as a set This is particularly true of early unglazed window openings in timber framed buildings where the great majority were just a collection of openings in the structural frame subdivided horizontally into mullions and vertical iron or wood bars to deter invaders It is essential to preserve the appearance of traditional timber window joinery When you spot any signs of decay due to the penetration of moisture it is crucial to stop it It is recommended to do this by thorough painting especially where there is damage or deterioration It is best to use paints that are designed to be used in a set primer undercoat and finish and to adhere to the manufacturers recommendations for preparation and number of coats at each stage Wet rot is a typical problem for older timber windows The best way to stop it becoming a problem is to take out any damaged or rotten sections as soon as possible to prevent the spread of the fungus that causes it The replacement of rotting timber should be carefully undertaken using slow grown deal pine and whenever possible it is the same species as which is being removed to prevent differential movement between the new section and existing timbers Glass became cheaper and more abundant during the late medieval period and into the 17th century In the process glazed openings on timberframed houses became more complex with moulded mullions wooden tracery and deep projecting cills The glazing was increasingly placed within frames with rebates and pinned in by glazing sprigs rather than into lead cames This method of glazing not only makes windows less likely to leak and also allows more clear glass sheets to be employed than would be possible without the use of leaded lights Energy efficiency The traditional timber windows are energy efficient because of their thickness and multilayer construction as well as care for detail They also have large glass areas and projecting cills that minimise air infiltration With secondary glazing and draught proofing the windows can be improved to increase their energy efficiency However it is essential to remember that such measures must be considered in the context of the overall appearance and integrity of the original window It is sensible to fix or upgrade historic windows rather than replace them especially when the improvements in thermal efficiency can be achieved through simple fixes Older windows are usually considered to be of historical value because they show a range in technological advancements and changes to architectural taste Many people believe that these windows will need to be replaced in the near future However most will last for 150 200 or even 250 years if you take care of maintenance It is essential to realize that decay issues associated with traditional timber windows can be avoidable with prompt and thorough repairs In addition it is vital to identify damp penetration problems and address them swiftly to prevent serious damage The early deterioration of paint can be a problem because it allows moisture to get into the wood which can cause wet rot It is not uncommon for this issue to go undetected until the paintwork begins to crack or become curly However it can cause structural damage and lead to further decay A quality paint will block moisture penetration It is also necessary to keep the paintwork clean to avoid condensation and mould growth Modern synthetic paints pose a problem because they are waterresistant and can cause mildew to develop within the window frame Most older windows were made from sapwoodrich wood These timbers are susceptible to deterioration rapidly if exposed to wet weather however they can be protected with an extensive preservative treatment prior to when they are put to use It is crucial to select the right kind of wood for the site and climate as these variables will affect the durability of the joinery Local window manufacturers have various types of sash made from timber that can be customized to fit historic openings They can be made according to the standard Boston pattern dimensions or to custom dimensions that are compatible with the historic architecture Maintenance The life span of windows made from timber can be extended by regular inspection as well as a careful redecoration and prompt repair The main cause of decay is moisture penetration through deteriorated paint or putty This can be prevented by careful painting and using a good quality wood preservative Repairs to old sash windows and casement window frames should be handled with care and with the least amount of disruption It is possible to fix several traditional designs of timber windows without removing the frame door repair cambridge should be done whenever possible Loose or peeling paint should be removed carefully and lightly sanded to improve the key of the surface allowing for an improved adhesion of the new coating Care should be taken to avoid stripping old paint layers which might have historical significance and if they are present it is recommended that a paint analysis be carried out If a portion of wood has rotted the best solution is to take it off and replace it with timber inserts that are shaped to match the existing profiles The inserted wood should also be treated with a wood preserver and the joint between the cill for timber and the subcill for masonry should be sealed It is tempting to replace traditional windows with PVC u especially when the installer provides an allinone installation which includes both replacement and removal in a single day It is important that the installers of replacement windows have a deep understanding of the history and design of traditional timber frames This will allow them to make appropriate recommendations for energyefficiency improvements and other technological advancements that wont affect the appearance of a building that is historic Window replacements should be registered with a Competent Persons Scheme like FENSA This will ensure the replacements are approved by the Building Regulations as a suitable alternative A skilled carpenter is able to install PVCu windows that are suited to original buildings character This is particularly relevant when windows are situated within conservation areas or listed buildings

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