10 Things to Consider Before Buying Sash Windows

If you are planning to install or replace your existing windows with sash windows, there are a number of things you should be aware of.

The first thing you need to know is that sash windows are for the people who want their homes to have a traditional look.

Secondly, the budget and preference go hand in hand because there are different qualities of sash windows.

This article will not only help you determine the things you need to consider before buying sash windows but also learn how they work and how they will work for you:

• When renovating sash windows, it is advisable to repair existing sashes and make them waterproof rather than replacing them with new models.

If the original timber sashes are beyond repair, you should look for a company like Wandsworth Sash Windows that will manufacture authentic replacements instead of using new models.

• Nowadays, PVCu is being used as a substitute for painted wood. PVCu is available in a range of colors, its energy efficient, cheaper than wood and has low maintenance requirements.

However, it cannot be recycled and when broken it is difficult to repair. But, if you are looking for the best substitute for timber in sash windows, PVCu is the ideal choice.

III. Since these windows are an inherent part of British architectural history, most home and property owners have been looking for them over the years. Therefore, when renovating a Victorian, Georgian or Regency property, you should consider using these windows.

• When choosing sash windows for period properties, you need to do it carefully because they developed over time. For instance, some regions preferred having horizontally sliding sashes only while in other periods there were changed in styles and development.

During Gothic and Regency revival periods, the sashes were arched instead of being rectangular. Therefore, you need to get the period right when looking for sash windows.

• In the past, sashes were made up of small panes that were held together by glazing bars so that they can create a larger glazed area.

This was because glass advancements couldn’t allow large expanses of large expanses at the time. However, the number of panes also depended on the era and they have advanced over time to where we are right now.

• Using thick bars to divide small units in double glazing is not appealing and it looks clumsy. However, if you use bond mock bars on either side of a single double glazed unit, you can make your sash windows classy and more appealing.

Alternatively, if you are not worried about spending a lot of cash, you can incorporate space bars between the glass sheets to have an outstanding sash window.

VII. Traditionally sash windows were mainly made of two sashes that slide up and down in vertical grooves. However, nowadays the windows can be opened from either the top or the bottom or even both depending on its design. In addition, they can swing on either side to ease the cleaning process.

VIII. For traditionalists and those people living in a Conservation Area or in a listed building, genuine timber sash windows should be the first priority.

There is a misconception that timber windows require a lot of maintenance because modern finishes do not require regular upkeep. However, this is not entirely true because wood can last for many years when taken care of properly.

• Today sash windows are made using timber on the interior and clad that has aluminum on the exterior. This is done to make the window withstand all weather conditions and still have low maintenance practices while still retaining the classic look of the wood on the inside.
• Unlike in the past where sash windows were mainly single glazed with glazing bars that held the panes in place, nowadays most sash windows do not have a single glaze. You may have to sacrifice this authenticity but you can still get single glazed sash windows to use during renovations.