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Tips On Saving On Your Energy Expenses By Draught Proofing Your Sash Windows
Posted on August 30th, 2010 No commentsIn these tight economic times, it might be more important than ever to reduce your energy costs by draught proofing your sash windows. Typically, more than a third of a home’s heat is lost through leaks and drafts that are preventable. Sash windows are among the biggest offenders. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when dealing with this problem.
Sash windows commonly cause a great deal of a home’s heat loss. They are usually older and less technologically advanced than other window designs. There are a number of ways you can try to reduce or eliminate heat loss from sash windows, and they all have advantages and disadvantages.
A quick way to reduce drafts around windows is to hang blinds, curtains, shades, or other window coverings over the offending windows. Window coverings help reduce heat loss, but they are not as effective as other more substantial approaches. Meanwhile, drapes and curtains need to be cleaned, repaired, and eventually replaced, all of which adds costs that offset whatever energy cost savings they may affect.
Another approach is to completely replace the window units. Replace your old leaky units with new, double-glazed, energy graded windows. This is not an inexpensive alternative. Also, you my have difficulty matching the new windows to the design of your home without the added expense of customized window units.
Another lasting solution, especially for older windows, is to have the windows re-glazed. This could allow you to improve your old panes while allowing you to retain the original sash design. Accompanying this with a complete overhaul and re-fitting of the windows with upgraded parts, fixtures, and seals will ensure the best protection against heat loss.
Upgrading your sash windows may be expensive, but the long term savings in energy costs will far outweigh the one-time repair and upgrade costs. Additionally, resealing the windows will reduce external noise. The upgrade will also add years to the life of your entire window unit through the repair and replacement of worn parts.
There are many ways to reduce heat loss in your home, and most of them are worth pursuing. But attending to your window units is the most significant way to increase your home’s energy efficiency. The initial casts may seem high, but in the long run they will be out weighed by the savings you’ll receive when you reduce your energy costs by draught proofing your sash windows.
Locate the best sash window insulation company to use by looking online. There you can find secondary glazing London and other areas to consider using. Head online today and learn more.
Interior Design carbon foot print, carbon footprint, construction, DIY, energy saving, Environment, home, House, insulation, Interior Design, office, property, sash windows -
Suggestions On How To Replace A Sash Cord On Double Hung Windows Without Too Much Difficulty
Posted on July 23rd, 2010 No commentsHow 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.
Renovators and restorers of historic buildings have always appreciated the efficiency and convenience of s sash window restoration company close by. Where sash window repairs London are a part of your home repair needs, visit our location.
Home Improvement builders, construction, decorating, DIY, double glazing, glass, Home Improvement, house and home, property, sash windows, timber, windows, wood, wooden windows, work -
The Historical Evidence About Sash Windows
Posted on May 5th, 2010 No commentsWhen tracing the history of sash windows one is also tracing the history of our civilization. This window, also called a hung sash window, had sashes, another name for one or more movable panels. Pulleys, springs and balances to move the panels and allow ventilation operated these panels.
Over the years, there has been a dispute among Historians as to where the idea for these windows came from. It has been claimed by Holland, France and England. Regardless of who originated the idea it became very popular with the more affluent period of that period.
The first use of these windows, according to research, occurred in England in the 17th century. Considered a high status symbol they were in demand by royalty and wealthy people. A window which could not be opened, called a lead-light window was in use prior to this time. The new window became even more expensive, and thus more valued, when a window tax was introduced from 1600 to the 1880s.
To enhance these windows various adornments were worked around the windows frames. Some of these are still in place with historically preserved buildings in Europe. They were considered the height of fashion and very desirable. In the 18th century, classic glazing was brought onto the scene. This consisted of placing six panes over six panes and was commonly used in Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian houses.
With the event of mass production of steel window casings and solid windows, the sash window fell out of popularity and further development of the aluminum window decreased their popularity. With the development of the double pane window in the 1980′s and the desire to conserve energy sash windows were no longer wanted.
In diagnosing the reason, for the decline of this popular window it was determined that the labor costs did not make it feasible to continue production. The the mouldings used required special treatment and could not be massed produced. Builders, especially, found the later model windows were easy to install and maintain.
At the present time there has been a renewal of interest in sash windows. Renovation of other older houses has brought a desire to replace the original materials. As a result, the history of sash windows continues and will be noted in the recording of future history.
To get more information about the great benefits of employing sash window repairs London visit today. When you want to increase the value of your home quickly, sash window renovation is a fast and easy way to accomplish the task.
Home Improvement carpentry, construction, glass, glazing, home, Home Improvement, House, joinery, sash windows, timber, wood, wooden windows, work -
Historic Wooden Window Repairs And Making The Task Easy
Posted on May 3rd, 2010 No commentsWhen the paint on your old wooden windows is peeling, and the glass is broken, along with the elements having gotten the best of your home, wooden window restoration is a solution to bringing back the life of the windows and your house.
For a modest investment in the supplies needed for this job, and a few hours work, you can restore each window successfully.
When older houses are left vacant for long periods of time, the owners sometimes neglect them or just forget. Your windows suffer, but this can be taken care of with a little bit of care.
If your wood still looks like it is in good shape, perhaps it just needs cleaning. This can be done with scrapers of different types. Just scrape at the old putty and remove it. If there is broken glass, this will need to be carefully removed, as well. Sometimes sanding is needed. It will make for a much smoother surface for your paint later. The new putty will stick better to fresh, clean wood, so you will need to prepare the bare wood for that with primer. It can be water or oil based.
Measure the glass, and add 1/8 of an inch to the length and to the width for clearance. Your glass can be ordered from any home and building center.
The glass is ready to install after the primer is dry. Putty and glazing points are your primary concern at this stage of the game. The putty should be put on in thin beads, and the glazing points will need to be a couple or inches or so on all the sides of the window and near the corners. After the putty is placed on it as well, press gently but firmly to set the glass in place. Scrape off the excess putty, and let your window sit for a few days to let the putty dry. When you are ready to paint, tape off the edges to protect the glass from excess paint, and paint the wood of your window.
So, if you are going to put forth your efforts into wooden window restoration, give thought to maintaining them from then on, as well. In this way, your future repairs will be less costly and time consuming.
Find out how you can raise the value of your home fast and easy with sash window repairs! You can get the best sash window renovation London has to offer today!
Home Improvement builders, carpentry, construction, decorating, DIY, glass, glazing, home, Home Improvement, House, property, sash windows, windows -
References For The Right Person To Do Sash Window Repairs
Posted on February 12th, 2010 No commentsLook for someone who pays attention to detail when looking for your Sash Window Repairs specialist. This person should be equally good at painting and decorating as some older homes have a lot of beautiful detail in their windows to be restored. Look for references on people who specialize in this area and take a look at their work if you can.
Take a look at your windows to determine what kind of restoration they made need so that you understand the work that needs to be done. The mere fact of a house settling can make the window hard to operate and in this case will most likely require some carpentry to square it off. It may just be that the windows are painted with many coats over the years and it's causing them to stick. They may need stripping and if they are old lead paint could be involved causing special removal techniques.
Removing the sash will involve prying the front molding off to allow for it's removal. At this point the cords can be accessed and removed in order to measure them for cutting new ones. The molding strips on the upper sash can now be removed and it can be removed along with any hardware.
Once both sashes are out the putty can be scraped and the window frames cleaned and checked for dry rot. If any is found then the damaged areas can be filled with epoxy and left to dry for a day before sanding and painting.
Hand roll new glazing compound and lay into the exterior groove of the sash and press the glass into it, insert glazier's points evenly spaced to hold the glass in.
Use another hand rolled length of glazing compound on top of the glass and bevel it with the putty knife. After it has cured about a week, paint the putty with an oil-based primer and a coat of acrylic latex paint to the entire sash.
Remember to look for the weatherstripping being replaced and the hardware cleaned before reattaching. The pulleys should be sprayed with Teflon or silicone and the cords reattached to the upper and lower sashes. Weights get replaced and the final molding put back into place.
Get more information on how sash window draught proofing can save you money and raise the value of your home fast! You can get sash window renovation completed easy and begin enjoying the savings today!
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