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

Maintaining Timber Windows A wellmaintained window made of timber is an important part of the historic structure of a building It demonstrates in various degrees the different materials and technologies craftsmanship and architectural taste of the time period from which it dates If it is possible repairs must be done insitu Repairing the most deteriorated areas of decay is possible using proprietary resinbased systems Durability The windows made of timber in many old buildings were built to last for a long time But they have to be maintained to keep them looking good and functioning correctly Maintenance tasks include sash cord repairs retightening of pulleys for sash and painting There is also a rising demand for upgrading timber windows to increase the efficiency of energy This could mean replacing old glass units fixing existing window rebates or putting in new cills to allow for improved air sealing One of the major issues with traditional windows is damage caused by the corrosion of the paintwork This is especially important in the case of sash windows as the gaps between sashes can be very large In these instances water can enter the paint film and cause rotting of the putty or wood beneath Poor weather conditions can exacerbate the rotting To avoid this windows from becoming rotten they must be regularly painted with a suitable exterior wood paint The areas that are damaged should be repaired using a resinbased product cambridge replacement windows will ensure that the maximum amount of the original fabric is retained It is also important to limit the number of holes that are drilled into the frame to allow cable entry as these can admit water and lead to decay The structural movement of the wall can also lead to deformations in the frame and sash This could result in the sash not fitting properly jamming sticking or sagging in the opening and even broken glass This can be corrected often by putting in new sash frames constructed of slowgrowing deal pine or oak The cill needs to be constructed of a durable hardwood such as oak to avoid shifting between the new and existing work To alleviate this issue to reduce the risk of this happening there are a variety of companies that produce Boston pattern sash made of wood that will fit most existing openings The sash is available in a variety of sizes and finishes that suit the needs of modernday homeowners These sash are combined with quadruple draft strip and a more efficient thermal insulation could significantly improve the efficiency of a homes energy use Aesthetics A lot of old timber frames have a great aesthetic appeal because they show in some shape the materials technology and architectural style of the time they were built They may also have a significant historic value in their own right This is particularly true for windows that were unglazed in the early days of timberframed buildings in which the majority of them were series of openings within frames of structural construction which were divided horizontally by mullions and vertically by wood or iron bars to keep out intrusions Traditional window joinery made of timber is a beautiful feature of a building and is essential to maintain its appearance As soon as you see any signs of decay caused by the penetration of moisture it is important to stop it It is best to do this with thorough painting especially where there has been damage or deterioration It is advisable to use paints that are specifically designed to be used part of the system primer undercoat finish and follow the manufacturers guidelines in terms of preparation and the number of coats required at each stage The fungus that causes wet rot can quickly spread in old windows made of wood To stop this from happening get rid of any rotten or damaged parts as promptly as you are able to Replace the wood that is rotting with slowgrowing deal pine and when possible the exact type of timber as the one being removed to prevent differential movement In the late period of the 17th century and the middle of the medieval period glass became less expensive and more abundant so that the glazed openings in timberframed structures gradually became more sophisticated with wooden tracery moulded mullions and deep projection cills In recent years glazing was fixed into frames that were rebated using glazing sprigs rather than lead cames This method of glazing is not only less prone to leaks but it also allows larger clearer more transparent sheets of glass to be used in windows than would otherwise be possible without the need for lead lights Energy efficiency Traditional timber windows are energy efficient because of their thickness multilayer construction and focus on the smallest of details They also have large glass areas and projecting cills that reduce air infiltration With secondary glazing and draughtproofing windows can be made more efficient to improve their energy efficiency It is crucial to keep in mind that these measures must be taken into consideration in relation to the overall integrity and appearance of the original windows So retaining old windows that are in need of repair rather than replacing them is sensible particularly when thermal enhancements can be achieved inexpensively with simple repairs and upgrades Older windows are usually considered to be of historical value because they show a range in technological advancement and changes in architectural style The pressures to replace these windows are typically based on the assumption that the old windows will need replacement in the near future but they are capable of serving for 150 200 and even 250 years if properly maintained It is essential to understand that the decay issues caused by traditional timber windows can be avoided through regular maintenance and swift repairs In addition it is crucial to recognize damp penetration issues and fix them promptly to avoid major damage Early deterioration of paint is a particular problem because it allows moisture to penetrate the wood and cause wet rot It is not uncommon for this damage to go unnoticed until the paintwork begins to crack or becomes wavy However it can cause structural damage and further decay A quality paint will prevent moisture penetration To avoid condensation and mould it is important to keep the paintwork as clean as it can be Modern synthetic paints can pose a problem as they are often made to be waterresistant which can result in the formation of mildew inside the window frame The majority of windows from the past were constructed from timber with an extensive proportion of sapwood These timbers can deteriorate quickly when exposed to rain however they can be protected by an extensive preservation treatment prior to use It is essential to select the right type of wood for the location 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 adapted to fit historical openings They can be made to the standard Boston pattern dimensions or to custom sizes that are in keeping with the historic architecture Maintenance Regular inspection carefully redecorated as well as quick repairs can prolong the lifespan of windows made of timber The most common cause of decay is moisture infiltration through deteriorated putty and paint This can be prevented by using a highquality wood preservative and thoroughly painting the wood It is essential that repairs to old sash and casement windows are properly executed and completed without causing any disturbance It is possible to fix the majority of traditional wooden window designs without removing the frame This should be done as often as is feasible Loose or peeling paint must be removed with care and sanded lightly to increase the key of the surface allowing for a better adhesion of the new coating It is important to avoid stripping old paint layers that might have historical significance and where these are present it is recommended that a study of the paint be conducted If a piece of timber is rotten the best option is to remove the rotted material and replace it with splicedin inserts that are shaped to match existing profiles The inserted timber should also be treated with wood preservative and the joint between the masonry subcill and the timber cill should be sealed Replacement of traditional windows using PVCu may be an attractive option especially when the installer provides an allinone installation service that can handle removal and replacement within a day It is important that the installers of replacement windows have a deep understanding of the history and construction of traditional timber frames This will enable them to make the appropriate recommendations for energy efficiency improvements as well as other technological improvements that dont affect the appearance of a building that is historic Those providing replacement windows should be registered with a Competent Persons Scheme such as FENSA This will ensure that the replacement windows are approved as a suitable solution under Building Regulations It is quite possible for an experienced and skilled carpenter to install PVCu windows that fit the character of the original building This is particularly true where the windows are located in listed buildings or conservation areas