The Elegance And Functionality Of The Sash Windows Make Them A Smart Decision
June 30, 2010 | Leave a Comment
The look of a house does come down the the windows. The wrong kind of windows for the wrong kind of house could be bad and might not make the house look as good. People have a lot of choice when it comes to what type of windows they can install when they build a new house. The elegance and popularity of sash windows make it a good choice.
These kind of windows come in many different ways and are able to open in many different ways as well. The piece of glass is called a slash. There are two different pieces of glass that will move vertically or horizontally depending upon how it is made. The English have made this type of window very popular and so have any country that has any relationship with England whatsoever.
The hung windows have had a very long history. It made its first appearance in a painting that was done in 1658. During the 1670s in England was when this type of window was first used. A Englishman by the name of Robert Hooke first designed this type of window. The Victorian and Edwardian type homes have used these type of windows in England since they have been created.
There are typically two kinds of sash windows, however, there can be more. There is a double hung or a single hung window, but there are some churches in New England that have triple or quadruple hung windows. The double hung is when both panes of glass can be moved up and down or side to side. The single hung window is when only one side can be moved. It is typically the bottom one that can be moved and the upper one stays still.
These windows used to use a complex pulley system that made movement possible. The falling risk was less because of the pulley system that was put in place. Hinges and springs are the pieces that are used today to make the window from tumbling. Springs, weatherstripping and balances are used to keep the units from falling apart.
Many variables can keep these windows from functioning as they should. Warping of the wood and termites are things that prevent the glass from sitting correctly within the frame. Rattling in the wind is also one of the problems this sort of window will have. The pieces that make it open could also break and make it impossible to use. Actually, much upkeep is needed to keep these windows working properly.
Despite the problems with these windows there are quite a few benefits, such as good looks and keeping up with the current housing laws. The sash style window has been around for hundreds of years and this must be because it is a popular style of window that is eye catching for continuing generations. It will continue to be a good choice of window for those building houses or replacing windows for years to come.
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The Mechanics Of Ever Popular Sash Windows
June 30, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Sash windows, which have been around for something like four hundred years, continue to be the most popular choice for installation on new homes and also for those being remodeled. The name owes to the presence of at least one movable ’sash’, which is the frame (within the frame) responsible for holding the glass panes in place. Another common name for them is ‘hung’ windows.
While having only one moving sash is not uncommon, windows where both panels can operate is much more popular. Most will open with an up and down movement, although horizontally operating openings are also available. The glass panes held within the sashes were traditionally of the single-paned variety but now double and even triple-paned glass can be fitted. Additional layers of glass usually equate to increased energy efficiency.
The operation of this type of window is made possible by a pulley and counter-weight system. A weight hidden within the frame and attached by the means of pulleys and ropes (or chains) counter-balances the force of the moving sash to facilitate ease of movement. When older versions of this type of window become inoperable or difficult to open and close the problem can often be solved by refurbishing this counter-balancing system. After many decades of use they become worn may require some basic maintenance. It’s not too difficult to accomplish.
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.
As far as replacement is concerned, many homeowners (especially those living in older homes) will be faced with the choice of fixing their existing windows or replacing them with new units. Older, nonworking windows are frustrating and should be fixed and/or refurbished if possible. In the case of older (especially historic) homes, repair is almost always preferred to replacement. Properly done, these old windows can be made to be just as good (or even better) as when new.
If you reside in a conservation area (or your home is ‘listed’) your options may be limited by what’s allowed. Sash windows are a tried and tested design that continue to be the most popular and the older versions can be made to look good and operate properly with some well-directed maintenance measures. Study the options and benefits and then decide. Your home deserves to look and feel its best!
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Find Out The Environmental Benefits Of Sash Glass Restoration
June 30, 2010 | Leave a Comment
If you have older sash windows you might be considering getting them replaced, but before you do that you will want to consider the environmental benefits of sash window restoration. You might not think that these are going to work for you, but they will. Not only will they work for you they are going to be better for the planet as well. Here are some of the benefits that you will find by having these restored rather than replaced.
Prior to starting any of these projects you are going to want to make sure that you set a budget. By having a budget in place you will be sure that you can afford to have this project completed and at the same time possibly carry out some of the other projects that you have been thinking about doing around your home.
One thing that you will learn is that if you get new windows they might not fit into the same old space properly without having to be shimmed up. This problem is one that you will want to take care of by having your older ones restored. By having them restored you will know they are going back into the same space properly because they came out of that spot.
Something else to consider is that the materials are not wasted. Since you might not have thought about this you will want to consider that the glass that is coming out needs to go somewhere. Many times that glass will end up in the dump, but by having them restored you will know that they are not wasted because they come back to you.
If you buy new ones you are going to spend a fortune. However, by having them restored you are probably going to end up saving quite a bit of money. If you are able to save the money you can take and put it towards other projects in your home. Some of the projects that you could put the savings towards could be new doors or other functional items to help you save money on a monthly basis.
The resources of the Earth are staying in the dirt and ground rather than having to be taken out to make new windows for your home. So you will find that you are keeping those resources in the planet for it to use because you are having your items redone.
Having your windows restored is a great thing for many reasons. However, you might not realize that you can find the environmental benefits of sash window restoration are numerous. By finding these you are probably going to want to get all of your windows restored rather than replaced each time.
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The Continuing Appeal Of Box Sash Windows
June 30, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Like more or less all window in buildings of relatively tradition design, Sash windows are there primarily to let light in and to permit easy ventilations or the room if and when that is required. The definition of “sash” as it applies to windows and what most people understand the word to mean is a window consisting of two frames of glass panes that slide in order to open. Each of these frames is knows as a “sash”.
The panels slide vertically in the vast majority of cases. Though it is rare, nonetheless it is possible to encounter an arrangement where they slide horizontally. Each panels is seated in its own groove which is the full height window frame height. This is what enables to two to slide independently of each other. It is what allows them to slide to any position on the length of the frame, even to overlap each other.
In most traditional styles each frame is made up of a number of glass panes. These are called “lights”. Each light is separated from the others by thin wooded strips called muntin bars. The whole assembly of panes and muntin bars is fitted rigidly into the bigger frame. Occasionally it is possible to find these types of windows with just a single large pane of glass in each panel. This is relatively rare.
Just for the record, here are the frame part names. There is the top rail the bottom rail and the side rails, called styles. For the bottom panel, the rail at the top, together with the top panel’s bottom rail are situated side by side when the window is closed. For that reason these rails are called meeting rails.
A crucial aspect of most traditional sash windows is the “box”. This is where the term “box windows” comes from. On both sides hidden inside the window frame, there are hollow areas roughly the same height as the window itself. Inside this box section are weights. These are usually made of steel or lead. The weights are there to make it easy and safe to lift the heavy panels for opening. Big windows would be impossible to lift without such counter weights.
There is a separate weight for each frame on both sides of the window. A cord (called the sash cord) is attached to the top of each weight. (Occasionally, but less often a chain is used instead of a cord.) This cord is looped over a recessed pulley at the window top and passes down along that sliding grove to be affixed to a sunken groove on the panel’s hidden side. Apart from enabling the easy opening, the weights are just heavy enough to hold the frame open at whatever position the user wishes without the need for any secondary locking device.
These types of windows can be susceptible to unique problems. Here’s a few. “Jamming” or difficulty in opening and closing. This is usually caused by careless painting. Another problem is “rattling”, usually in strong wind. They panels or frames need to be refitted by an expert. And draughts. Again this is a problem that an expert or good DIY person can remedy. There are many draught proofing gadgets on the market made specially for this type of windows.
Despite the few extra problems and maintenance issues, Sash windows are still regarded by many people as the most aesthetically appealing of all windows. There is one important proviso of course. It is that the sash windows should be appropriate to the building’s architecture, in which they are installed.
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Why To Pick Sash Windows For Your Home
June 30, 2010 | Leave a Comment
When one is looking to purchase a home, it is key to spend as much time looking, and checking as you possibly can. It is important to remember this will be the largest, and most important investment you will make in your lifetime. It is not a decision that should be made rapidly. As with most products on today`s market, there is a vast array of choice. A style of home that is particularly popular today are the ones that have sash windows, this rustic look is a desired feature.
As this style of window is particularly old, the large majority of homes that have them tend to date back to as early as the beginning of the 20th century. With house of this age many checks must be performed before you invest your hard earned money into it. Often there can be damage you would not notice.
For this reason you must enlist the services of a trained professional, generally a surveyor, to carry out a thorough check of the abode before you purchase. Generally, no mortgage lender will approve a mortgage without this sort of check being carried out anyway.
Having these checks carried out on your home is relatively straight forward. Once you have done this the next stage is to locate the best deal for your mortgage, this can be a little trickier, especially if you do not know where to look. For this reason many will use a mortgage broker to search for them.
The fastest, and most effective way to search is to make use of the plethora of mortgage comparison websites available online. These ingenious sites will allow you to personally check every company available in a matter of minutes.
Although the sash style of window is highly sort after, not everyone wishes to take on the trials, and tribulations of an old house. Fortunately, it is now possible to attain this style of window in upvc. This means you get the look of the sash window, but with the added insulation of the upvc window. They can be a little more expensive, but they will save you on the bills.
Although, though the years many things come in and out of fashion, sash windows are an item that has stayed in vogue for over a century, and no doubt will continue to do so for another one. They are particularly useful in areas where the climate is warm, as the amount of air they let is is far superior to that of a normal window.
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A Few Top Advantages Of Having Double Glazed Sash Windows
June 30, 2010 | Leave a Comment
The world is constantly changing and we are all constantly being invited to take advantage of all sorts of different innovations that will help to improve our lives. These innovations and changes can be applied to ourselves and the belongings that we own. When you consider the options that we now have when decorating and personalising our own homes, you will become lost within the proliferation of available modifications that we can make. One of the more popular ones that you will see these days will be the addition of double glazed sash windows. The reason why these sorts of windows are now so popular are many fold, so let’s take a look at some of the benefits of getting these installed.
One of the primary reasons for the increase in popularity of double glazed sash windows would simply be down to the harm and the effects that we are having to our environment. While we have always been damaging our environment for many years, it is only recently that people are starting to wake up to the problem at hand. We are all being told to reduce our carbon emissions, and as such it is a great idea to install a double glazed windows in order to prevent unnecessary energy loss that will simply add to the issue.
As a product of this, and as a primary benefit most people, you will also find that heat is conserved within your home as well. Not only this, but the warm weather is kept out during the summertime and your home is kept cooler. What this allows is for a better regulation of temperature within the house and therefore a more comfortable feeling.
Of course, the money saved through this process is also a massive benefit. While you will be spending money getting these windows installed, you will also be making massive savings through your heating bill throughout the winter, and also savings through electricity due to a lack of air conditioning being required during the summer.
Of course, there are numerous different options that you can take when you look to find relevant double glazing that will suit your own home. This is another benefit, and the range of options that your disposal will allow you to locate something that will fit in to your home perfectly.
When you come to sell your home, these windows will also add value. Therefore not only will you recoup losses through savings, but you will make additional money through the sale of your home as well.
Overall, therefore, these are some of the main benefits that you will see when you look to get double glazing installed in your house.
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Sash Windows For Any Living Quarters
June 29, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Sash windows are beautifully decorative windows that are made from movable panels or frames that have glass insets and can be opened horizontally or vertically. The weights used for moving the panels are concealed in a box called a Yorkshire light and the first dateable reference of this type of window can be found in the 1658 painting of The Milkmaid, by the Dutch artist Vermeer.
Ham House, a beautiful old stately home located in England has the earliest known example of sash windows and dates back to 1670. A typical sash window consisted of three horizontal panels of glass set with two vertical panels of glass, creating a horizontal frame that was very typical for the period. Other configurations became widely accepted but this is still the traditional standard.
Early Victorian and Georgian houses were fitted with sash windows that measured four feet wide with a mechanism that opened vertically. The runners were set into the frame of the window and were fitted with springs and balances, held firmly in place with metal weatherstripping.
Metal weatherstripping was added to ensure that the window remained in its frame regardless of external weather conditions. The inserted weight was constructed of lead or steel and was perfectly balanced for easy raising and closing of any sliding sash frame. Two types of sash frames came into existence.
When referring to a single hung sash window, only one of the frames is moveable, usually vertically, while the other remains fixed in place. This arrangement allows for maximum ventilation into the interior space.
These windows are constructed with traditional materials, mostly soft woods and single or double glazed glass panes. Beautiful and stylish, they nevertheless require regular maintenance to ensure smooth operation and the integrity of the frames are maintained. Poor paintwork can result in the frames either shrinking, causing them to rattle in the wind or in the wood warping. This can lead to a poor seal and with difficulty in opening the window.
If you are willing to regularly maintain your windows they will remain beautiful and durable for years to come. They will not only add to the beauty of the exterior of your home but assist in cooling the interior due to their design. In the hot summer months if both panels are opened equidistant from the frames this allows for the hot air to escape from the room while cool air is drawn in through the bottom edge of the window.
Sash windows are windows that are beautifully decorated. If you’re wondering, you need to check into the sash window company. Sash window restoration London will help you with your window fixed.
The Big Problem With Secondary Glazing And Condensation Concerns
June 29, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Both double glazing and secondary glazing are common ways for homeowners to improve the efficiency of their living spaces. Both work well to not only save energy but also reduce carbon emissions coming from a house. These two methods, however, are by no means equal in efficiency. One of the most notable differences is with secondary glazing and condensation.
Those opting for double-glazed window installation should see their home’s energy consumption cut in half in most cases. A good set of double-paned windows is an extremely efficient way of making an energy miser of your home. They will keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer. They will also insulate your living space from noise and dust, making it both quieter and cleaner.
One reason double glazing is so effective is because of the insulating space between the two panes of glass. This may be filled with air, gas (such as argon) or left empty (with a slight vacuum). This space acts as an insulating barrier and must be properly sealed in order to function correctly.
Sometimes ‘Low Emissivity’ (Low-E) glass is used, which significantly increases the window’s efficiency. This Low-E coating, applied to one side of the glass pane, is able to keep the heat in your house by bouncing it back when it’s trying to escape through the window. At the same time, Low-E allows the sun’s solar rays through, making good use of the sun’s warmth. It’s a great technological innovation.
Because an air-tight seal is critical for double-glazed windows to perform properly, condensation (moisture build-up) is a rarity. Secondary glazing, however, does have problems in this area, due to its configuration. These are windows applied from the home’s interior, right over the existing windows (usually single-glazed units). This method is not nearly as efficient as replacement with double-glazed models but may still be the best (or only) option in some cases.
Secondary glazing can be utilized without obtaining planning consent. If you happen to live in a Conservation area or your home is listed you may not be permitted to install newer style windows. The secondary glazing option may be your only recourse.
Besides problems with secondary glazing and condensation there are also a few other considerations. Secondary, internally fitted windows may be inconvenient during the warmer months and will need to be removed and stored away. In case of an emergency (such as a fire) they might make escape from the home more difficult. But, in certain situations they are definitely a viable option.
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The Disadvantages To Secondary Glazing And Condensation
June 29, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Magnificent buildings are built and designed daily by talented men. Upon the completion of one structure, the next is begun. Our cities are built this way, they expand and age. These building grow older and begin to deteriorate. Some are lucky enough to be given historic status and are provided with a face lift that requires their original architecture to be preserved. Old wooden windows have to be restored or replaced with new wood frame windows. Builders are forced to increase the energy efficiency using secondary glazing, however there are problems that may occur due to secondary glazing and condensation.
For those who are unfamiliar with the term secondary glazing and do not know what it is, secondary glazing is an additional glazing panel added to the inside of an existing single glazed window. Typically a single glazed piece of glass, but sometimes a plastic film or shrink wrap, it is often surround by a metal frame which incorporates some sort of membrane or gasket to create a sealed interior air space between the new glazing and the old.
Although some people may be unfamiliar with all that secondary glazing entails, they do know what condensation is and how it happens. With windows, because they are glass, the interior and exterior temperatures are different, causing the moisture that is in the air by the glass to become cool and create a layer of condensation on the surface.
When it comes to wood windows, humidity and moisture are one of the things to avoid. They can cause warping and rotting, not to mention mold. Often times, problems are not identified until it is too late and the window has to be completely replaced.
Secondary glazing should not be confused with double glazing. Double glazing is sealed with a vacuum in a factory that is moisture controlled. Secondary glazing traps regular air, filled with moisture, between the new glazing and the single glazed panel of glass. A window that is drafty also allows moisture to settle inside, which increases the odds of the wood rotting. It also adds to the chances that the humidity level will rise between the panes of glass, effecting any wood that is exposed inside of the seal.
Another potential culprit is the metal frame on the glazing panel. Metal is also capable of transferring the temperature through the air and can also have moisture on it. Moisture on glass is easily seen, but when it is on the metal, it is not as visible.
Windows manufactured with a wood frame that are having moisture problems need to be replaced right away. This is usually a labor intensive, expensive project. When considering the best way to protect windows from the weather, it is necessary to consider all the choices available to you, and decide what is best. If you have wood frame windows, you may want to avoid secondary glazing due to the risks associated with secondary glazing and condensation.
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Why Are Secondary Glazing And Condensation Related?
June 29, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Did you know that there is a link between secondary glazing and condensation. However, before you can begin defaming the glazing practice for insulating your home, there are a few things that you need to be aware of first.
Of course in order to understand the link between the practice of glazing and condensation you will need to have a general understanding of what secondary glazing is first. Basically, this form of glazing is in many regards just like double glazing, where extra layers are added onto a window and then separated by a spacer of some kind.
This form of glazing is generally performed between two sheets of glass. With this type of glazing, a second frame set and glass will be fit to a window in order to improve sound quality in a room and help improve the heat insulation in a room as well. Even though, glazing sounds like a great thing, it actually has a lot of drawbacks also.
Moisture can build up between your two window panes, when a glazing task is performed. When moisture begins to build up, this causes condensation to occur as well. Condensation appears on glass surfaces, or any enclosed surfaces whenever moisture seeps into them.
Condensation is both a good and a bad thing that occurs. If the condensation between your windows becomes severe it can cause your window to fog over and rot your window sills located on the inside of your home.
With this glazing procedure, you could say that the cons definitely outweigh the pros. Honestly, no one has the excess funds to pay for this type of insulation just to have to turn around and have your window panes replaced thereafter. Remember, that rotten window panes will not only affect the insulation of your home, but they will also affect the health of you and your family.
Before you come to the conclusion to have glazing performed on your home to assist with noise and insulation problems you need to engage in a good deal of research to ensure that this practice is susceptible. You should definitely research all other insulation options before thinking about having this procedure performed on your home.
With all do respects, what is the use of spending your money on something that cannot perform the task that you desire of it? Secondary glazing and condensation are something that you cannot ignore. Therefore, it would behoove you to attempt different insulation avenues and steer clear from glazing.
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