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How to Restore Timber Sash Windows in Cambridge Many homes in Cambridge have sash windows that are traditional and homeowners are proud of the way they look However sash windows can get stuck and be difficult to open or close This is often due to moisture which can cause the timber to swell Traditionally box sash windows utilized chains cotton cords or weights made of lead to operate Modern sash windows have hidden springs to overcome this issue 1 Aesthetics Timber sash windows in contrast to PVCu windows that are made in imperial sizes that are modular can be reconstructed to their original size This allows the restoration of timber sash windows in order to meet the current energy requirements and conform to conservation area regulations It also comes with a window that is far superior to the uPVC alternatives Sliding sash windows were initially only found in large buildings or public buildings but the production process became less expensive and craftsmen could create larger frames using more glass In the late 18th century sash windows were the dominant design of wood in the majority of British homes As they were easy to open sash windows let light into rooms without the need for curtains The first windows were made of plain glass However in the 17th century sash windows started to become more ornamental They were initially made of colored glazing bars or mullions They were expensive at the time but as glass production improved and costeffective they became a feature of many of the period homes In the 19th century it was possible to make large strong glasses that did not require support bars This allowed the frames size to be enlarged further and this in turn allowed for a wider view from the window This was an important innovation The introduction of the doublehung sliding sash is another important improvement that occurred at the end of the I920s and beginning of the I930s This allowed both the upper and lower sash to be opened simultaneously and allowed for better ventilation to a building wooden casement windows in cambridge wwwrepairmywindowsanddoorscouk of sash is made from slow grown deal pine however oak was used in the more expensive buildings as well as in earlier examples A split bead divides the two sashes and it is vital that it is maintained in order to avoid rattles and draughts It is also crucial that sash pulleys and idler wheels are in good condition as these assist in operating the window 2 Energy efficiency Sash windows replaced hinged casements as clearer and larger sheets were made available Glass plates were set in rebated timber frames which were pinned with glazing sprigs and putty was applied to the frames sides for watertightness This type of glazing gradually replaced leaded lights Sashes were introduced which resulted in an increase in demand for ironmongery The basic fittings included brass pulleys and later castiron weights as well as sash stoppers shutter hinges handles and shutter hinges and various fasteners used to fix the sashes These were often decorated in designs inscriptions and engraved patterns to identify the maker Sash windows are energy efficient when they are maintained regularly Without this maintenance they can become noisy Draughts can also be caused by the deterioration of paint and putty It is possible to fix this issue by using woodtotimber solutions The industry of replacement windows is based on the belief that traditional windows are rotten and beyond repair while they are able to be maintained with just a little care These repairs can be expensive and cause many disruptions in the home Many homeowners decide to replace their windows using PVCu from a huge onestop shop installation company These can remove and replace all windows in a house within a single day eliminating the need to coordinate different tradesmen and making the whole process much more efficient These windows can be fitted with energysaving double glazing to achieve higher energy ratings than the traditional windows with sash However these doubleglazed units are unable to reproduce the proportions and section of traditional timber sashes 3 Security It is possible to secure traditional windows without compromising on their aesthetics Many types of ironmongery are available including sash chains mortice bolts and sash locks They can be fitted to ensure that the window is able to be opened to allow ventilation or cleaning They are usually discrete since they are made to be used in conjunction with sash windows They can be used alongside traditional sashwindow catches that should be replaced with more robust versions such as those incorporating double screws or sprung levers to reduce the risk of them being opened by hammering Sashwindow frames are traditionally made from oak or slowgrown deal Where glazing bars have survived they should be preserved and where it is possible the timber of the cill should be replaced with matching wood Many PVCu firms provide a onestop shop installation service They can take down and replace windows on an entire home in one day without the need to involve other tradespeople 4 Ventilation When sash windows first introduced in the 17th century they allowed a significant amount of light into structures By the end of the 18th century they were modified to let more light into rooms and larger glass panes began to be manufactured The result was a lighter appearance and windows with more elegance Sash windows were introduced which required a new range ironmongery Early pulleys were constructed from wood Later Victorian ones were made of brass or a mixture of wood and leaded There were also various kinds of knobs and shutter hinges The ironmongery components should be retained and cleaned down to ensure that the exquisite quality of their design can be appreciated Timber windows require careful maintenance to keep them in good shape A lack of regular attention could lead to Sashes that do not move easily Holes in the frame that allow water to get in and cause decay and damage break down of putty allowing water penetration that could cause decay in the frame and cill Steel casement windows gained popularity in the I920s and I930s due to their strength and slim and also because they were cheap and complemented the trend for healthy living Studies have shown that softwood sash window are just as effective as PVCu windows and may even be more attractive The replacement window industry did a lot to convince homeowners that their old windows were decayed drafty noisy and beyond repair The truth is that a lot of older windows made of wood are in good condition and with minor repairs could easily be repaired for many years to be 5 Maintenance A traditional sash window requires regular maintenance and inspection Inability to keep up with this can result in the sash cords breaking a lot of wear on the glazing bars and the deterioration of putty and paint The removal of sashes could also result in structural movements within the frame which can cause the sash to not close properly The sash could also get stuck in an open position which allows water and draughts into the property Moisture penetration is a frequent cause of damage to windows made of timber This can be prevented by careful painting regular repairs and elimination of the source of dampness Wet rot can be identified by the wavy look of the existing paint which can be removed to reveal rotting soft timber Any rotten sections of timber should be cut out and the affected area carefully cut or pieced with replacements made from the same type of timber as those remaining This method of repair maximizes the amount of original fabric retained and is one of the least invasive ways of treating timbertotimber decay The use of a resinbased wood consolidant is a different option to traditional sanding and staining This is brushed onto the surface of the timber to stabilise and protect it from further damage It is particularly useful for the treatment of sash cords and pulleys which can help stop breakage It is important to restore and not replace any old ironmongery such as sash latches and stays It can be difficult to replace these items without altering their original design It is also advised that fittings made of aluminum like sashlifts as well as chainstays are avoided since they can cause corrosion and deterioration of timber frames and sashes