In the opinion of many, sash windows are an intrinsic feature of ‘period’ homes and should be saved at all costs. Well, maybe not ALL costs, but definitely worth the time and trouble to repair rather than replace. Some repairs are easy enough to do yourself so here’s a little about how sash windows work.

One astute old-home restorer in New England, USA, had an interesting observation. He said, speaking of people living in older homes, that most likely less than half of them have ever experienced a window in their house working as it was intended to do. Some of these things are a hundred years old plus. They probably worked well at one time and they can again. It’s not that hard.

Sometimes the only thing keeping a window from working is too many coats of paint. Maybe it’s been painted shut or had so many layers painted on that it’s gotten gunked up. Some paint remover, a blade and a scraper could go a long way to fixing the problem if it’s that simple.

More than likely, if it’s an older sash window you’re dealing with, it’s not operating correctly because of a problem with the weights and ropes (or chains) that are used as a counter-balance to the window’s movement. These weights are usually hidden from view, encased within the window frame itself. Access is made through a cover, usually made of metal, which is embedded in the surface of the frame.

The cords (or chains) that the counter-weights hang on will normally break during their lifetime of service, but they can be replaced fairly easily. If you’re handy you might be able to do this one yourself, DIY style. You know, after a hundred years or so those ropes are going to be tired! It’s fairly straightforward to replace them.

What’s the best advice on old double-hung ‘period’ windows? Repair rather than replace. Wood windows are efficient. Wood is a great insulator. Don’t let someone try to convince you that the new plastic, thermal paned, hi-tech windows should be installed as replacements. Plus, they just wouldn’t look appropriate on your older home.

Here’s just one more tip. If you’re going to hire someone to repair or restore your windows, hire someone who does that kind of work exclusively. You want someone who’s part finish-carpenter, part artist and part decorator. You want a specialist in old window restoration. He’ll know just how sash windows work or, at least how they’re supposed to work. And he’ll have them working like that again, too. Find yourself a good restoration guy. They’re out there.

Learn everything you need to know about how to repair your windows at a sash window workshop now! Discover how you can easily increase the value of your home when you have sash window repairs done as soon as they are needed.

If you find yourself wondering, Hard wood windows or soft wood windows which will last longer and why? The answer to this question you may be asking, might come after you understand what the differences are, and how in many cases the differences are somewhat of the same.

It can be a bit daunting, trying to distinguish between the types. Some hardwood is actually softer than some softwoods, and vice versa. Balsa is technically a hardwood, but it’s much softer than many softwoods. The yew is a softwood that is much harder than some hardwoods. It can get pretty confusing.

Typically softwood is easier to work with, less expensive and easier to come by. Many people choose to use this kind of wood in their windows because of those things. Softwood trees are the trees that tend to stay green all year round. Redwood, pine, cedar, and fir a few of these kinds of trees. These trees are usually found in large groups that spread out amongst each other. Hardwoods are usually found hanging around with many other species.

Hardwood may be a bit more expensive, but it makes up for it in durability and strength. Softwood can last a long time too, but it requires much more care and attention to make it last. Hardwood trees, take their time growing. This usually ends making them more dense and strong. Furniture, floors and windows made out of this stuff can last a lifetime without a great deal of care.

There are some inexpensive hardwoods, but most of the time you will find the cost of this wood, to be much higher than soft timber. If you don’t have a lot of money in your budget, you may want to opt for windows made of softwood, but in order to make them last, you must be sure to give them the care that they need.

Softwood is great for small lightweight projects. A lot of people use this wood when building models. It’s easy to shape and mold. This wood is also very common in houses, but most people agree that when it comes to windows and other things that are required to last a long time, hardwood is the way to go.

If you’re still pondering on Hard wood windows or soft wood windows which will last longer and why, the answer will probably be hardwood, or softwood that has same the qualities as hardwood. You probably don’t just want windows that are just going to look pretty. You’ll most likely want ones that are going to be able to take the beating mother nature often gives and still keep looking great for years to come.

Everything you need to know about hard hard and soft wood windows which will last longer and why now in our sash window refurbishment and sash window renovation London overview.

It’s no secret that home heating costs have been steadily on the rise for some time and are expected to continue doing so for the foreseeable future. There are several options, however, that you can take today to somewhat lessen the blow of these spiraling costs. One of the least expensive yet most beneficial fixes is to save money on heating bills with DIY sash window insulation. It’s really quite easy.

Actually replacing of your sash windows is expensive and probably way too difficult for the average do-it-yourself person to handle. It’s probably not the best idea anyway, unless your existing windows are totally shot and beyond repair. Older wood framed windows are almost always worth saving, if possible, rather than being replaced with new vinyl facsimiles. They may just need to be refurbished to be put back into shape.

If you had the opportunity to view your home from the inside through the lens of an infrared camera you’d no doubt be amazed at the amount of heat doing out into the street or yard and the amount of cold coming in. This is during the cold months, of course. In summertime the process is reversed, with heat coming in and coolness leaving the house.

The culprits costing you precious energy loss can be many including unsealed basements, uninsulated attics, fireplaces, ill-fitting doors and, above all, inefficient windows. Older, single-paned sash windows were never ultra-efficient to begin with, even when new. When they get older they become even less able to provide an effective thermal barrier. There are ways to remedy this.

The first remedy that should be affected is to pull off the window trim and put some non-expanding type foam in the gap that’s found between the frame and the wall. If the trim is not easily removed the best alternative is to use caulk on both the inside and outside edges of the trim. Rope caulk is a good option for renters who don’t want to leave permanent changes behind when they move.

Next, weather stripping should be applied around all the window’s moving parts. Metal, foam, rubber and vinyl stripping are all available. Nailing it on is best and will be the longest lasting solution. If nailing is not an option, such as with vinyl or metal windows, self-sticking weather stripping is a good alternative.

Finally, glass panes may be loose and need to be re-puttied or caulked into place. These ways to save money on heating bills with DIY sash window insulation should make your home more comfortable immediately. As a bonus, less noise and dust should also be noticed as well!

If you need to reduce your utility bills, sash window draught proofing is a great way to start. When you arrange for sash window refurbishment, you stop outside air from entering and temperature controlled air from leaving your home.

Installing insulation on ones home windows represents a lot of benefits that few realize. Since most of us are already busy making each dollar count and trying to save everywhere possible, taking this extra step should be second nature. It is true that you can Save money on heating bills with DIY sash window insulation.

Taking the time to drought proof your home offers a lot of benefits, from financial to being a more environmentally choice. And it can be achieved quite simply by those who have a little time and the proper tools and equipment.

The older windows are built to last for years, and they are well built. However, they were not built for optimal performance. As the years have went by, these windows will end up costing you a lot of money because of their inefficiency. We need to take advantage of the sash window insulation products that have been created to save us money on our energy bills.

Saving money is something that we are always trying to do anyway. We stretch our budgets, trying to make each penny count, trying to make ends meet and put a little into savings. Perhaps we do not realize how much we could be saving by better insulating our windows. Energy costs have been consistently rising each year, and especially during the winter months, it seems that those heating bills are something that people dread to see.

However, fixing leaky windows can do more than save us money. They can be a great choice for the environment, too. It is really a no-brainer. Why not have an earth-friendly and energy efficient home?

You can also eliminate unwelcome droughts by installing insulation in your windows. No one appreciates feeling a cold winter draft while sitting in the middle of their living room. Avoid that sudden chill by fixing leaky windows and keeping your hard earned money inside where it belongs.

Window insulation is a low cost project that will keep the winter winds outside and the summer air condition inside. No one wants leaky windows that are not efficient. The insulation tools and equipment needed for this project are easily available at most hardware stores, and one can easily obtain a how to guide and clear simple instructions on how to complete the project. Even if you do not have the time to do this project on your own, you could hire a handyman or serviceman to do the job and still save a lot of money.

Looking for more info on how to save money on heating bills with DIY sash window draught proofing? Get the low down now in our sash window refurbishment overview.

‘Hung’ sash windows are a very popular choice for use on most homes and have been for hundreds of years. The name comes from the fact that these windows contain panels (called ‘sashes’)that hold the glass panes in place. At least one of these panels will be movable, allowing the window to be opened and closed.

Some hung windows contain only one movable panal (sash) but most will have two. These panels most commonly open from top to bottom (vertically) but can also be made to operate in a sideways fashion (horizontally). The glass used in these units has traditionally been single-paned but recently double-pane and even triple-pane configurations have been available. When properly installed, extra panes give better insulation and efficiency.

Movement of the sometimes heavy sash(es) is usually facilitated through the use of a pulley/counter-weight system. Weights hidden within the window frame act as a counter-balance making it possible to open and close the window without too much effort. If your windows are difficult (or impossible) to open this may be a simple problem with the counter-weight system and is easily remedied.

In some designs, hinges are installed which can hold the movable sash in place while simultaneously disengaging it from the counter-balancing weight. This makes cleaning the unit easier and can also make an emergency escape through the window quicker and easier. Also, some designs forego the use of weights and pulleys, opting instead for a system of spring balances.

If both sashes are capable of moving this is known as a double-hung window (as opposed to single-hung, if only one moves). Traditionally made from wood, these units are now commonly made from other materials (including vinyl, which has become quite popular). Vinyl (PVC) windows are usually cheaper to buy than wood and are currently a widely used option for both new construction and old window replacement.

Speaking of replacement, owners of older homes are often faced with the decision of replacing or repairing existing windows that have become inefficient or nonworking. If possible, repair is usually advisable to replacement. It’s cheaper, generally looks better and can be made to be nearly just as energy efficient.

If you live in an area where window replacement is restricted or your home happens to be ‘listed’ your options are limited. Plastic windows are no doubt taboo. Anyway, the original ones will always LOOK better, especially if you have them professionally reconditioned. They can actually be made to be BETTER than new!

Looking for a company that can help you with affordable sash window restoration London? Get the exclusive inside skinny with our comprehensive sash window company overview.