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Restoration
The windows in period
properties are very important to the overall look and feel of the building.
If the windows have fallen into disrepair the property can look shoddy.
Furthermore failure to repair to rotten windows can lead to additional
and more serious problems caused by penetrating water.
If the original windows
have been removed and replaced with unsuitable modern ones then the building
may look decidedly odd.
Both lack of care
and inappropriate replacement seriously harm the commercial value of a
building as well as reduce the pleasure to be had from living or working
within it.
Restoration Can
Mean Many Things
It may mean simply
servicing your existing windows.
It may mean replacing
whole elements of existing windows that have rotted or seen better days.
It may mean complete
replacement, (if this is the case
please click here to be taken to information on new windows).
Below is a list that
details the work you can expect to be undertaken when you ask us to restore
your windows:
Protection
It should go without saying but the first thing we do is make sure
any breakables are out of harms way and that dust sheets are put down
where the work is going to take place. Working on old windows can be a
messy business.
Remove the sashes
Some people mistakenly call the ropes "sashes". The sashes are
the part of the window that 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 parting bead are removed. The
beads are the small strips of wood that run from top to bottom and create
the track that the sashes run up and down in.
Check the sashes
Very often the joints on the sashes may have become loose. If this is
the case we tighten them up. This can involve cutting and fitting new
wedges. If the glass is broken or cracked we replace it. (Very often there
are minor cracks in the corner of the glass that have been there for years
- we do not replace the glass in this situation unless you have specifically
asked for it to be done). Often it is necessary to burn off excess paint,
particularly on top sashes. Over the years layer after layer of paint
has been applied which does not really do a lot to protect
the timber and only serves to make the sash too big to slide up and down.
If there is any putty missing new putty is added to ensure the glass is
correctly fixed.
Check the sills
The sill is checked to make certain there are no soft or rotten areas.
If there are they are cut out and replaced. Usually only a part of a sill
is rotten. If it is a very small area it is cut out back to solid timber
and filled with quality two part filler. If it is the front of the sill
then we may cut it back level with where the outside of the bottom sash
sits and then glue and screw a new nosing on. If it is necessary we will
replace the entire sill. Whichever method is used, no corners are cut
and you will not be left with any rotten timber in the sill once the repair
is finished.
Check the boxes
If there is rot in the 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 sash by means of the sash cord.) Any rot found in the
box is cut out and new timber is used to make a repair. It is also often
necessary to remove excess paint from the box to allow the sashes to run
freely.
Check 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 to
slide when opened. Sometimes heavier glass has been fitted or somebody
has "borrowed" a weight when working on the house in the past.
In order for the windows to be counterbalanced correctly the weight attached
to each sash should match that of the window. We make sure that it does.
Check the pulleys
The pulleys are oiled. If they do not operate smoothly then they are replaced
with new ones.
New ropes
We always fit new ropes when refurbishing a window.
Draught-proof the
meeting rail
A draught proof brush pile is routed into the back of the meeting rail
on the bottom sash. This helps to prevent rattling and unwanted draughts
blowing through the centre of the window.
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 new ropes.
New draught-proof
beads
I mentioned that the timber staff beads and parting beads had 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 to the same profile
as the original beads. They look exactly the same. The only difference
is that they carry a brush pile that is set into them and sits between
the sashes and the beads. This has several advantages. It reduces the
draughts considerably, it reduces noise, it helps
the windows to glide more easily (less friction) and it stops rattling.
With box sash windows the draught proofing is not totally effective but
is much, much better than windows that do not have draught proofing.
Window furniture
We only replace catches that are broken. However, we strongly recommend
that you consider replacing the furniture. To fit a new brass centre catch,
brass sash lifts on the bottom sash and D handles on the top sash is not
expensive and will totally transform the look of the window. Ladies in
particular find that the D handles on the top sash are particularly helpful,
especially as they are usually the only ones who bother to clean the windows!
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 brass acorn fittings that fit into
the side of the top sash. They are visible so act as a deterrent to the
chance burglar who will, hopefully, move on and choose an easier target.
They are easily removed with a key and so will allow full opening. They
will also securely lock the window open just enough to provide ventilation,
but not enough to allow an intruder access, your children to climb out
or your pets to escape.
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 these will have been included. It is not always possible to
tell if a sash is beyond economic repair until you begin to work on the
windows. This is not something that happens a lot but if additional sashes
need to be made there may be some extra cost. If such a situation should
arise we would obviously speak with you first before incurring any extra
cost for you.
Decoration
New and newly
restored windows need to be decorated with good quality paint if they
are to last and function well for a long period of time. We
start the process properly by ensuring that all joinery that we make is
treated in our workshops with wood preservative and primer.
It is important that
once we have finished our installation work that either you or your decorator
completes the decoration of the windows within 2 months. If you do not
know a local decorator we can recommend one to you.
Guarantees
It is not easy to provide a worthwhile guarantee when refurbishing old
windows. However, we do try to give a fair and honest service. We have
a great number of satisfied customers who are willing to act as a reference,
talk to prospective customers and show work in their homes that we have
completed. A lot of our work comes as a result of repeat business from
previous customers. If, after we have finished, you have a problem with
something that we have worked on you will be able to get hold of us and
we will sort it out. Problems do occur occasionally, and we have our share.
We also have referees who will testify how we have reacted when they have
presented us with a service call after we have finished, been paid and
spent the money!
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