We offer a wide range of services
- Removal of sashes
- Checking the sashes
- Checking the window cills, boxes, weights and pulleys
- Fitting new Ropes
- Security
- Making and fitting new single glazed sashes to fit existing box frames
- Guarantees
- Making and fitting new double glazed sashes to existing box sash frames
- Installing new sashes with a draught-proof system
- Making and fitting new windows
- Legislative Laws
- Environment Issues
1. Consideration for your home and possessions
Working on old windows can be a messy business. When the old windows are taken out, it is important to consider that the wind may blow things over!
Our work is carried out on dust sheets so the wood floor or carpets are protected.
It would help us if you could prepare by taking the following steps:
- Carefully pack away any breakables that could be blown over.
- Remove curtains and blinds from the window to be worked on.
- Clear an area in front of the window (approximately 6 feet is ideal for working purpose)
- Cover your Hi-fi & television if you have to leave it close to the window.
2. Removal of sashes
Once we are ready to start work the first thing we do is to remove the sashes.
The sashes are the parts of the window that hold the glass and move up and down. There is a top sash and a bottom sash.
In order to work on the window these sashes have to be removed, to do this the staff bead and the part bead are removed, these are the parts that hold the window in.
3 Checking the sashes
Very often the joints on the sashes may have become loose if this is the case we tighten them up either by glue and screw or by use of wooden wedges.
Often there may be a minor cracks in the corner of the glass that has been there for years – we do not replace the glass. This is a job for a glazier.
If there is any putty missing new putty is added to ensure glass is correctly fixed.
4 Checking the window cills
The sill is checked to make certain there are no soft or rotten areas. If there are we advise you that the window sill should be replaced if the front edges of the window sill are rotten and the rest is good then we’ll replace with what we call a nosing whichever method is used, no corners are cut and you will not be left with any rotten timber in the window cill once the repair or replacement is finished.
5 Checking the boxes
If there is rot in the window sill there is often rot in the bottom of the box where it meets the sill (the box is the area behind the pulleys as its name suggests it is just a hollow box, it contains the weights that are attached to the sashes by means of sash cord).
Any rot found in the box is cut out and new timber is used to make the repair. It is often necessary to remove excess paint from the box to allow the sashes to run freely.
6 Checking the weights
It is not uncommon to find that the weights inside the boxes are wrong for the windows.
This can cause the windows to run unevenly or drop when opened.
Sometimes heavier glass has been fitted therefore causing the windows to drop. In order for the windows to be counter-balanced correctly the weight attached to each sash should match that of the window. We make sure that it does.
7 Checking the pulleys
The pulleys are oiled. If they do not operate smoothly then they are replaced with new ones.
8 New ropes
We always fit new ropes when refurbishing a window. It is important to make sure that when the window is redecorated that the ropes are not painted as this can make them brittle and prone to snapping.
A good tip when redecorating around the ropes is to coat them with Vaseline first, it will prevent any paint getting onto them, won’t harm the rope and will wipe of easily once you have finished decorating.
9 Draught proof the meeting rail
A draught proof brush pile is cut and fixed into the back of the meeting rail on the bottom sash using an electric router cutter. This helps to prevent rattling and unwanted draughts blowing through the centre of the window.
10 Re-fit the sashes
The sashes are checked to make sure they will slide up and down correctly; if they do then they are attached to the ropes.
11 Fitting new beads
We mentioned at the beginning that the timber staff beads and parting beads have to be removed in order to allow work on the windows. These beads are thrown away and replaced with new. The new beads are made of timber the same profile as the original beads.
They look exactly the same the only difference is that if you are having your windows draught-proofed then the beads carry a brush pile that is set into them and sits between the sashes and the beads.
12 Window furniture
We generally only replace catches that are broken. If they are not and you have requested new ones, it will be clearly indicated on your quotation. However, if your window furniture is tatty you may wish to consider replacing it.
To fit brass or chrome centre catches, sash lifts to the bottom sash and D handles on the top sash is not expensive and will totally transform the look of the window.
13 Security
If you are concerned about the security of any of your sash windows we are able to fit a range of attractive fittings that will provide additional protection. We particularly like the acorn security bolt that fit into the sides of the top sash. They are visible so act as a deterrent to the chance burglar. They are easily removed by means of a key so will allow full opening. They will also securely lock the window just enough to provide ventilation, but not enough to allow an intruder access, your children to climb out or pets to escape.
14 Making new sashes
If it is obvious that some of your sashes were beyond repair then these will be detailed on your quote and the cost of making, priming, glazing and fitting will have been included. It is not always possible to tell if a sash is beyond economic repair until we begin to work on the windows. This is not something that happens a lot but if additional sashes need to be made there maybe some extra cost. If such a situation should arise we would obviously speak to you first before incurring any extra cost for you.
15 Decoration
Once the windows are functioning correctly it is important that they are decorated with good quality paint. Many people like to undertake their own decorating and sometimes they use a professional decorator.
We apply a primer to all bare timber to provide temporary protection from moisture. The windows will need to be properly prepared and decorated by yourself or a decorator if they are to look their best and remain in their newly renovated state.
16 Making and fitting new s/glazed sashes to fit existing box frames
Sometimes, as part of a restoration programme, we need to make new sashes when one or more of the sashes on a window that is to be refurbished have rotted beyond reasonable repair.
Traditionally sashes were made from softwood and we follow this tradition by making any new sashes with specially selected softwoods from sustainable sources.
The dimensions of the existing are carefully measured and then replicated in our workshop.
We take care to copy all the existing features including the decorative horns, were applicable, so that your new sashes will fit in with existing ones neatly.
Once assembled and glued the sash is treated with knotting and two coats of ‘Sadolin Superdec’ The sash is then glazed and fitted.
All you will need to do once the sash is fitted is touch up around the putty once it has fully cured. Typically it will take us between 4-6 weeks to make and prepare a sash ready for fitting. Please note: We only put a primer on our sashes and you will need a decorator to apply the final coats of paint.
17 Guarantees
We guarantee all new sashes that we make for 5 years against any defect caused by poor workmanship or materials. We also guarantee the sashes against rot for 5 years provided they are redecorated every 3 to 4 years using a good quality paint system. The guarantee is given in addition to your statutory rights.
18 Making and fitting new D/glazed sashes to existing box sash frames
This is easily done and provides a neat solution when you need improved performance to save heat loss and reduce noise without spoiling the character of your home and you don’t want the upheaval of fitting new windows.
Traditionally sashes were made from softwood and we follow this tradition by making any new sashes with specially selected softwoods from sustainable sources.
The dimensions of the existing are carefully measured and then replicated in our workshop.
We take care to copy all the existing features including the decorative horns, were applicable, so that your new sashes will fit in with existing ones neatly. They will exactly duplicate the dimensions and detail of the original sashes except they will be rebated to allow for 14mm double glazed units to be fitted. (2 panes of 4mm low E glass and a 6mm gap).
Once assembled and glued the sash is treated with knotting and two coats of ‘Sadolin Superdec’ The sash is then glazed and fitted.
All you will need to do once the sash is fitted is touch up around the putty once it has fully cured.
We use low E thermal glass as standard to enhance the thermal performance of the windows along with the draught-proof system that we apply. We also have to take into account the enhanced safety standards that have been introduced since the windows were first built and use safety glass where appropriate.
19 Fitting
Once the sashes are made we bring them to your home or business so that we can remove your existing windows and fit your new sashes in one day ensuring that your building is secure at the end of each working day.
20 Check and repair the existing box sash frame
Once the existing frame has been exposed we strip out any rubbish from existing weight recesses and then check the box sash frame thoroughly for any rot. Any rot found is cut out and carefully repaired with pre-treated timber. If the pulleys are still in place they are checked for suitability, where missing, damaged or unsuitable they are replaced.
21 Installing the new sashes with a draught-proof system
The weights in the boxes will need to be heavier to compensate for the weight of the additional glass. (Typically a double glazed sash is 45% heavier than a single glazed sash). The old cast iron weights will be removed and replaced with new lead weights. It is not usually possible to add on to the existing weights because if you do the movement of the window is restricted.
The new sashes are fitted using the finest waxed cotton sash rope that has a nylon centre and installed using a draught-proof system.
22 Making and fitting new windows
There are a number of issues that need to be considered when making and fitting new windows. Not only does the window have to fit and function correctly but we also have to consider legislative, environmental and aesthetic issues.
23 Legislative Issues
If you fit new windows to your property you will need to ensure that it complies with building regulations. This is to ensure that the window achieves the expected standards of thermal insulation; almost all new windows have to be constructed so that they can be fitted with double glazed units of the appropriate size and specification.
If you live in a flat, in conservation area or a listed building you will also need to ensure that the work complies with planning.
Complying with the building regulation issue can either be done by asking the local authority to inspect the work or by having the work completed by a company that self certifies its own work under the auspices of a self regulatory organization such as FENSA.
Applying directly to the local planning authority can only do complying with the relevant planning issues.
As a large part of our work necessitates both planning and building regulation approval we prefer to submit our work to the inspection of the relevant local authority for both building regulation and planning issues.
24 Environmental Issues
We only use timber from sustainable sources.
Your quotation will be for a window made from best quality Scandinavian redwood with a hardwood sill. If you prefer to have your window made entirely from hardwood we are happy to do this for you. The cost for this will be 40% higher than the cost for similar windows made from softwood.
All new windows are glazed with 24mm double-glazed low-e units unless we have specified differently in your quotation (very occasionally the local planning authority will insist that new windows are single glazed to maintain the authenticity of the façade of a listed building – this will over-ride the demands of the building regulations). All new windows are fitted with a draught-proof system.