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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 structure of a building It reflects in varying levels the materials and techniques of the time period it was made the design and craftsmanship If repairs are possible to existing windows should be made insitu Repairing the most deteriorated areas of decay can be done with the help of specialized resinbased systems Durability Timber windows were built to last for centuries But they have to be maintained to ensure that they look good and functioning correctly The most frequentlyasked maintenance tasks include sashcord repairs as well as tightening sash pulleys and painting The demand for enhancing timber windows in order to increase efficiency in energy use is also growing This can involve replacing old glazing units repairing existing window rebates or putting in new cills to allow the air to seal better One of the main issues with traditional windows is damage caused by corrosion of the paintwork This is especially important where sash windows are involved as the gaps between sashes can be very large In these situations water can get into paint film and cause rotting of the putty or wood beneath The rotting may be further aggravated by weather conditions that are not ideal To avoid this windows from becoming rotten they must be painted regularly using an exterior wood paint that is suitable In addition to repainting corroded areas must be repaired using an adhesivebased repair product This will ensure that the best possible amount of the original fabric is retained It is also essential to minimise the number of holes drilled into the frame for cable entry as these can admit water and lead to decay Another significant problem with older windows is the structural movement within the wall that could cause deformation of the frame and sash This can lead to sash no longer fitting correctly or sticking or jamming into the opening and broken glazing Often this can be corrected by fitting new sash boxes that have been constructed from slowgrowing deal pine or oak The cill should be constructed of a strong hardwood like oak to prevent the movement of new and old work To alleviate this issue There are a variety of companies that make Boston pattern wooden sash that can be fitted into most openings The sash is available in a variety of sizes and finishes that meet the requirements of modernday homeowners In conjunction with quadruple draught strip and better thermal insulation these sashes can make a a substantial difference to the energy efficiency of your home Aesthetics Many old timber windows have a great aesthetic value because they typically show in a particular way the materials and technologies and architectural style of the time in which they date They may have significant historical significance in their own right This is particularly true for early windows that were not glazed in timberframed buildings where the majority were series of openings in structural frames subdivided horizontally by mullions with vertical wood or iron bars to protect against intruders It is important to maintain the appearance of traditional wooden window joinery As soon as you see any signs of decay caused by water penetration it is essential to stop it This is best done by applying a thorough coat of paint particularly in areas where there has already been damage or deterioration It is advisable to use paints designed to be used as part of the system primer undercoat and finish and to follow the manufacturers recommendations in relation to preparation and number of coats needed at each stage The fungus that causes wet rot can quickly spread in old windows made of timber To prevent this from happening get rid of any rotten or damaged parts as promptly as you are able to The replacement of rotting wood must be done with care by using a slowgrowing deal pine and wherever feasible using the same species as that which is being removed to prevent shifting between the new section and the existing timbers Glass became less expensive and more abundant in the late medieval era and into the 17th century This led to glazed openings on timberframed houses became more complicated with moulded mullions wooden tracery and cills that protruded deep Increasingly the glazing was placed within frames with rebates and secured by glazing sprigs rather than being inserted into lead cames This method of glazing is not only less prone to leaks but it also allows more expansive clearer sheets of glass to be used in the windows than would be possible without the need for leaded lights Energy efficiency Traditional timber windows are energy efficient because of their thickness multilayer construction and attention to detail The large glass surfaces the deep projection cills and wide glazing areas reduce air infiltration With secondary glazing and draughtproofing windows can be made more efficient to improve their energy efficiency However it is important to keep in mind that any such measures must be considered in relation to the overall appearance and integrity of the window in its original form It makes sense to repair or upgrade existing historic windows rather than replace them particularly when improvement in energy efficiency can be made by simple repairs The windows of the past often have an historic value that demonstrates a range of technical development and changes in architectural tastes The pressures to replace such windows are generally based on the assumption that windows that are old will need to be replaced in the near future but the majority of them are capable of providing service for 150 200 and even 250 years if they are properly maintained It is important to recognise that the decay issues that are caused by traditional timber windows can be avoided by regular maintenance and timely repairs It is also important to spot damp issues and correct them swiftly so that you can avoid serious damage The early deterioration of paint can be a problem because it allows moisture to get into the wood causing wet rot It is not uncommon for this issue to go undetected until the paintwork begins to crack or becomes curly However it could cause structural damage and then further decay A highquality paint will stop this moisture from entering To prevent mould and condensation it is important to keep the paintwork as clean as possible Modern synthetic paints can pose a problem as they are often formulated to be waterresistant and this can cause the growth of mildew inside the window frame The majority of windows from the past were constructed from timber with an extensive proportion of sapwood cambridge windows can deteriorate very quickly when exposed to moist weather but can be protected with a thorough treatment of preservative before they are used It is also essential to ensure that the kind of wood used is suitable to the climate and site conditions as these factors will influence the durability of the joinery Local window manufacturers make various types of timber sash that can be customized to fit specific openings in historic buildings They can be built according to the standard Boston pattern dimensions or to specific sizes that are in keeping with the architectural style of historic buildings Maintenance The life span of windows made from timber can be extended significantly by regular inspection careful redecoration and timely repair The primary cause of wood decay is the penetration of moisture through deteriorated paint and putty This can be avoided by careful painting and using highquality wood preservative Repairs to old sash windows and casement window frames should be done with care and minimal disruption A lot of traditional wooden window designs can be repaired without dismantling the frame and this approach should be taken whenever possible Remove loose or peeling paint and lightly sand the surface to improve the key of the surface This will enable the new coating to adhere better It is important to avoid stripping paint layers that might have historical significance If these are present it is recommended that a paint analysis be carried out When a piece of wood is rotten the best way to proceed is to remove the rotted material and replace it with splicedin inserts that are shaped to match existing profiles The wood that is inserted should be treated with a wood preservative and the junction between the timber cill and subcill for masonry should be sealed It can be tempting to replace traditional windows with PVC u particularly when the installer offers an allinone installation that includes removal and replacement within a single day It is essential that installers of replacement windows have a thorough understanding of the history and construction of traditional timber frames This will allow them to make appropriate recommendations for energy efficiency improvements and other technical upgrades that do not alter the historic character of a building 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 in accordance with Building Regulations A skilled carpenter is able to install PVCu Windows that are sympathetic to original buildings character This is particularly applicable when windows are in listed buildings or conservation areas

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