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Draughtproofing Sash and Case Windows
Submitted by admonkey on 13. March 2010 - 11:32.
An excellent article on the care of sash and case windows republished on the buildingcoservation.com website caught my eye. Historic Scotland has also recently republished it's useful owners guide, and they also sell a complete guide, also available from their website.
When sash windows operate correctly they will reduce draughts and potentially reduce heating bills. Sliding sash windows have been in use for three hundred years, and the basic operating principles have hardly changed. However recent innovations, namely inconspicuous brush systems have improved the draughtproofing abilities substantially. There a number of propriety systems, but I prefer the ones which use a wooden parting beading, as this is more in keeping with the window's aesthetic. I had a complete new sash and case window fitted by a local firm Sash and Case Edinburgh, not the cheapest but an agreeable company to deal with. Nice cast brass furniture finished it off.
What appears to be an enduring feature is that they are eminently repairable. Sash windows can be easily dismantled so repairing or replacing broken components can be undertaken by a competent handyman. More fundamental repairs are also possible, but usually require a good quality joiner. It is rarely necessary to replace sash windows entirely and you should beware of a modern replacement if it will change the character of your home. You'll spoil the inside perspective as well as the outside.
Wooden sash and case windows may cost more but if properly maintained and regularly painted will far outlast (ugly) modern plastic equivalents, which cannot be easily dismantled and repaired.
Turning to traditional sash window maintenance, with time you'll experience problems such as sticking, joint failures, cracked putty, rot, rattles, and draughts. The maintenance parting beads, sash cords, loose corner joints and brass furniture can be tackled by any competent DIYer, while more substantial tasks like rotten cills demand calling in a competent joiner.
You'd be surprised how many joiners there are who are unfamiliar with old fashioned windows.
Buildingcoservation.com details both how to paint sashes inside and out, which from experience is rather useful as it is so easy to start in the wrong place. Most important is not to paint them shut.
Important Notice
NB Sadly we are shortly closing down the Ecomonkey Shopping Channel. Alas too few thought this was as good an idea as we did at the outset. In no particular order: Spammers, lack of consumer goodwill, lack of +ve press, greedy/incompetent consultants and advisers (they ate the marketing budget), lack of a patient sponsor, no big fat marketing budget have all conspired to make the project fall ell short of expectations.
The upside is that we built a robust system with small capital invested which withstood the challenges technically, which is no small achievement. All suppliers have been and continue to be paid (except the ones that failed or could not deliver.)
IMPORTANTLY Kiva and several hundred small businesses in the developing world have benefited to the tune of around $3000 invested or reinvested. This is a revolving fund and continues to get topped up, and gets reinvested at the rate of $100 every few months. That alone makes us happy.
