The Origins Of The Sash Window, An Evergreen Product

The origins of the sash window are not easy to fathom. There are a variety of theories but no absolute proof for any of them. In the late 1600′s, an English inventor, Robert Hooke used them in Ham House and a painting by Vermeer called ‘The Milkmaid’ shows a sash frame behind the girl. It is believed that they might have come from France, via Holland to Britain around this time but the British certainly made them their own.

The name ‘Yorkshire light’ refers to windows with glazed panels that opened vertically or horizontally. Opening was manual originally but a system was developed whereby the weight of the glass panes was balanced by a lead sash weight. This was connected to the window by a sash cord running inside the frame over a pulley placed at the top.

In the late 1600′s, the famous architect Sir Christopher Wrens used these windows for Whitehall Palace. They were also used for Kensington and Hampton Court Palace. Wrens’ reputation and the royal patronage gave wooden sash windows a cachet that soon saw them used right across the British empire. Until the early 1900′s, the windows were used almost exclusively in all new constructions both private and public. Whether open or closed they do not detract from the aesthetics of a building unlike other windows.

By Georgian times, they were everywhere. An additional feature was added which allowed the windows to open at both the top and bottom. Called a double hung sash, these windows allowed rising hot air to leave through the top and sucked in colder air from the bottom. In a rainy European climate, less rain and more ventilation was possible.

The Victorians, were obsessed with decorating their homes with carvings, leaded lights, lattices and complicated mouldings. Placed in a facade as a group, each bay was framed by carved stone pillars. It also became common to enhancing the perspective of a building by making windows on the ground floor longer than those on the upper floors.

The First World War brought a different ethos and method to the production of goods and expensive labour intensive handicrafts were the losers. It was simply too expensive to continue to create intricate craft when producing for the masses.

It must be agreed that without the sash window, defects and all, the most interesting urban areas of older European cities would be bleak and characterless.

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Suggestions On How To Replace A Sash Cord On Double Hung Windows Without Too Much Difficulty

How to replace a sash cord is a lot easier when you understand the mechanics of a double hung window. Every double hung window has two sashes, the top and the bottom. The frame that secures the glass is a sash. The sides of that frame are the jambs. Sash weights sit in back of the jambs. They are connected to a cord pulley system. The weights keep the windows balanced and easy to open.

There are a series of moldings along the jambs creating channels for the sashes to slide. The piece of wood that separates the upper and lower sashes and the one that holds the bottom sash in place can be easily loosened and removed. They need to come out to remove the sash.

Before you start this project, make sure you have the correct tools and material readily available. You will need new sash cord, a putty knife, a hammer, a utility knife, putty, finishing nails, paintbrushes and in case you chip away the paint, enough paint to touch it up.

Take the stops on each side of the lower sash off. Using your putty knife, place it close to each nail that is securing the stops and pry it gently away from the frame. The wood splits easily so take extra care to work patiently.

With the stops removed, the frame should come out easily. Remove the damaged sash cord from its slot. Most sash windows have an access panel to get to the weight. The access panel will need to be removed; if there no access panel then the side window casing has to be taken out to get to the weight.

Painted over access panels will mean chipping the paint to determine where the screws are that hold the panel in place. You may need to score painted edges with the utility knife in order to lift the panel out. Once the panel is removed, any remaining cord should be cut off. Thread the new sash cord over the pulley until it appears in the access panel. Tie the new cord to the weight making sure the knot is sturdy but not bulky as it can get stuck in the window frame. Place the weight back into the cavity. Tie a knot to the other end of the cord to make the weight suspend three inches above the bottom of the sill when the sash is in an open position.

Replace the framework and insert the moldings using finishing nails to secure them. Fill any gaps in the moldings with the putty. Paint any chips in the wood. The project is complete and your double hung window should work like new. Do-it-yourself homeowners can learn how to replace a sash cord by following steps found on the Internet or talking with professionals at our local hardware store.

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The Colours of Patio Furniture Covers Are Brighter This Year

When it comes to fashion and interior design, trends come and go. Sometimes I agree with the colors and patterns that appear to be in vogue, sometimes not so much. This year is a good design year in my opinion, especially with the trends for patio furniture covers. It seems that this years designers are continuing the retro feel, but the colors appear to be much more vibrant than the cautious monotone palette of the recent past.

With the recession in full swing, I think many designers have made a conscious move towards brighter more cheerful palettes. Even if this is a sub-conscious design trend, I think that it is a good one, since you can’t help but smile when you see vibrant colors and cheerful fun flower prints everywhere. The colors may clash with the throw back to the 60′s and 70′s rainbow combinations, but I for one am ready for a change from beige on beige.

Notwithstanding the wild array colours and patterns available this season, there are some common elements that never seem to change from year to year. The elements that are resistant to change or that change very slowly relate to the functionality of the patio furniture covers. These elements relate to the durability of the covers, the quality of the covers, the ease of removing the covers, the style of fastening the covers, and the ability to protect patio furniture from the elements.

I am often asked about what I look for when buying outdoor furniture covers for me or my clients. The answer is twofold. The first thing I look for is the type of fabric used in the manufacture of the covers. A few decades ago, furniture covers tended to be of a very poor quality with a layer of plastic bonded to a cotton lining. The sun and rain destroyed these covers quickly and quickly the covers looked shabby. The covers that are available today are made from newer more durable and advanced man-made fabrics. These fabrics are both breathable and water resistant. The combination of these factors protects the furniture from the rain and dew and at the same time allows mildew producing moisture to escape.

The second feature that should be examined relates to durability. Look at the seams. Are all of the seams double stitched? Are there any lose threads which might indicate a weakness in the integrity of the cover? Also examine the manner in which the covers are fastened. The more expensive outdoor patio furniture covers fasten with heavy duty zippers. Zip and unzip all of the zippers completely. Make sure the zippers run smoothly and easily for the entire range of the zipper.

When buying outdoor furniture covers you should keep a few things in mind. Colour and pattern are important but these aspects are only a part of what should be seriously considered. The functionality of the covers is very important too. Are they easily removed? Are they easily washed? Is the fabric protective and durable? A proper consideration of all of these factors will allow you to purchase the best patio furniture covers for your family.