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https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/cambridge-windowrepair/

Maintaining Timber Windows A wellmaintained wooden window is a crucial element of a building that is historic It is a representation of the various materials and techniques design craftsmanship and aesthetics of the period that it was built in If possible repairs should be made onsite Repairing the most severe areas of decay can be accomplished using proprietary resinbased systems Durability Timber windows were built to last for centuries But they have to be maintained to ensure that they look good and operating correctly Maintenance tasks include sash cord repairs as well as tightening the pulleys for sash and painting The demand for enhancing windows made of timber to improve efficiency and energy efficiency is also increasing This could mean replacing old glazing units repairing the window rebates that are in place or putting in new cills to allow the air to seal better A key problem with traditional windows is damage caused by corrosion of the paintwork This is especially important where windows made of sash are involved because the gaps between sashes can be very wide In these instances water may get through the paint film and cause rotting of the putty as well as the wood underneath The weather can be a factor in accelerating the rotting To prevent this windows from becoming rotten they must be painted regularly with a suitable exterior wood paint In addition to repainting corroded areas must be repaired using a resinbased repair product This will ensure that the best possible amount of the original fabric is retained It is important to minimize the number of holes that are created in the frame to allow cable access as these can admit moisture and cause decay Another issue with older windows is structural movement in the wall which can lead to deformation of the frame and sash This can result in sash not fitting correctly jamming sticking or sagging in the opening or breaking glass Most often this is corrected through the installation of new sash boxes that have been constructed from slowgrowing deal pine or oak The cill should be made from a sturdy hardwood such as oak to prevent movement between the existing and new work To help reduce this problem There are a number of companies who manufacture Boston pattern sash made of wood that will fit into the majority of existing openings They are available in various sizes and finishes that fit the needs of modernday homeowners Together with quadruple draught strips and a better thermal insulation these sashes can make a significant improvements to the energy efficiency of a home Aesthetics Many old timber windows have a high aesthetic value since they usually illustrate in some way the materials and techniques and architectural style of the period from which they originate They may also have a significant historic value in their own right This is particularly true of early unglazed windows in timberframed buildings where the majority of them were series of openings in structural frames that were subdivided horizontally by mullions and vertically by wood or iron bars in order to keep out intrusions It is essential to preserve the appearance of traditional wooden window joinery As soon as you see any signs of decay caused by the penetration of moisture it is important to stop it This is best done by painting thoroughly especially in areas where there has already been damage or degradation It is recommended to use paints specifically designed to be used as part of the system primer as well as undercoat finish and primer and follow the manufacturers instructions in relation to preparation and the number of coats required at each stage Wet rot is a typical problem in old timber windows The best way to stop it developing is to remove sections that are damaged or rotten as soon as you can to prevent the spread of the fungus that causes it The replacement of rotting timber should be done with care and by using a slowgrowing deal pine and whenever possible it is the same species as which is being removed to avoid differential movement between the new and old timbers In the late period of the 17th century and the middle of the medieval period glass became cheaper and more plentiful so that glazed openings in timberframed structures gradually became more sophisticated with wooden tracery moulded mullions and deep protruding cills Increasingly the glazing was laid within rebated frames and then pinned with glazing sprigs rather than into lead cames This method of glazing is not just less prone to leaks but it also allows larger and clearer sheets of glass to be used in windows than would otherwise be possible without the need for leaded lights Energy efficiency Traditional timber windows have a good energy performance due to their thickness and multilayer construction They also pay careful attention to detailing They also feature large glass areas and projecting cills that reduce air infiltration With secondary glazing and draughtproofing windows can be made more efficient to improve their energy efficiency It is important to remember that these measures must be considered when it comes to the overall integrity and look of the original windows It is sensible to fix or upgrade historic windows rather than replace them especially when the improvements in thermal efficiency can be achieved through simple fixes The windows that are historic have a lot of historical significance since they demonstrate a variety in technological advancements and changes to the architectural style The pressures to replace such windows are typically based on the assumption that windows of the past will require replacement in the near future but most are still capable of providing service for 150 200 or even 250 years if properly maintained It is important to recognize that decay problems with traditional timber windows can be avoidable with prompt and thorough repairs It is also crucial to identify damp problems and address them promptly in order to avoid major damage The early deterioration of paint is a major issue since it allows moisture penetrate the wood and cause wet rot repairmywindowsanddoors is usually not apparent until the paintwork is wavy or cracked however it can cause serious structural damage and could lead to further decay A good paint will block moisture penetration To avoid condensation and mould it is essential to keep the paintwork as clean as possible Modern synthetic paints could be a problem as they are often designed to be waterresistant and this can result in the formation of mildew inside the window frame The majority of older windows were constructed from timber with a high proportion of sapwood The timbers will deteriorate rapidly if exposed to wet weather conditions but they can be protected with a thorough preservative treatment before they are put to use It is also essential to ensure that the kind of wood used is suited to the site and climate conditions as these factors affect the durability of the joinery Local window manufacturers provide various types of sash made from timber that can be made to fit the historic openings They are available in the standard Boston pattern or in custom sizes to suit historic structures Maintenance The life span of windows made from timber can be extended considerably through regular inspections carefully redecoration and prompt repair The most common reason for the decay is moisture infiltration through the deterioration of paint and putty This can be avoided by using a highquality wood preservative and thoroughly painting the wood Repairs to sash windows that are old and casement window frames must be done with care and with minimal disruption Repairs can be made to the majority of traditional wooden window designs without having to remove the frame This should be done whenever possible Paint that is peeling or loose must be removed with care and lightly sanded to improve the key of the surface and facilitate an improved adhesion of the new coating Care should be taken to avoid stripping paint layers that might have historical significance and if they are present it is recommended that a paint analysis be conducted When a section of wood is rotting the best way to deal with it is to take it off and replace it with timber inserts that are shaped to match existing profiles The inserted timber should also be treated with wood preservative The junction between masonry subcill and timber cill should be sealed Replacement of windows made of traditional PVCu may be a tempting option especially when the installer offers an allinone installation service that can handle removal and replacement in one day It is crucial that installers of replacement windows are aware of the history and design of traditional timber frames This will enable them to make the right recommendations for energy efficiency improvements and other technical upgrades that wont harm the historic character of a building Those providing replacement windows should be registered with a Competent Persons Scheme such as FENSA This will ensure the replacements are deemed acceptable in accordance with Building Regulations as a suitable alternative A skilled carpenter can put in PVCu windows that are suited to the original buildings style This is particularly true when the windows are in listed buildings or conservation areas