Friday, July 30, 2010

Researching Sash Window Restoration And The Environmental Benefits You Will Reap

February 12, 2010 by James Crofton  
Filed under Construction

In older homes the traditional wooden box sash window is standard issue, sash window restoration and the environmental benefits it affords are worth the time investment and overall will save money. Sash windows are still regarded as the best choice for style and luxury in home design.

When looking for someone to restore your sash windows get quotes from a few reputable companies, maybe someone who was referred to you and make sure they arent cutting corners. A fast and inexpensive job could mean that your windows arent being fully restored and you will have to do the work again at a later date to get it right.

Sometimes you will only see a broken sash cord and think that is all that needs to be repaired but the entire window assembly shoud be looked over for problems that might exist and it is worth the time it takes to do the job right. If your window is beyond repair then your repairman should tell you so and offer a replacement option that closly resembles what you have.

The time it takes and the cost of the project are dependent upon the number of windows in question. Typically you can expect a couple of windows a day will be done if the repair is a simple one.

The two really important things about sash window repair are that the wood has integrity and there is a good coat of paint protecting it. These two things combined with weather seals, double glazed glass and re-balancing will ensure you have top notch windows in your home operating at peak performance. This will ensure that you have a draft-free window that retains heat and will last you for many more years.

For the do-it-yourself person there are a few things to keep in mind when undertaking a restoration. You need to remove all paint to the bare wood on the sash, box, and sill to insure the integrity of the wood. If you find you need to fill in any areas make sure to us a high-quality two part resin-based product. Fix the joints and have spare parts around if needed. Replace sash cords that have rotted, replace pulley wheels that are no longer working and re-balance. Install weather seals at the top, bottom, sides and meeting rails. Top it off with a fresh coat of high resilient, four coat exterior paint.

The ropes inside the sash will often be rotted and the windows will be unbalanced and youll find you are propping them up with a book. These ropes are attached to weights which in turn balance the window and roll over the pulley. Replace this assembly and sometimes you can just lubricate the pulley to get it working again. If not, there are a variety of metals to choose from or a steel/nylon option for economy.

When you find dry rot in the sash, box or sill replace it with a hardwood and use traditional cabinetry methods to achieve a uniform look throughout the home. Make sure to embellish the window to match the rest of the house if needed and double glaze. Finish off with new hardware and you have created a green solution.

Creating a beautiful and distinct look for your home will be easy when you have London Sash Window Company visit today! Having your sash window repairs completed now will raise the value and beauty of your home fast!

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