Which sash windows?

[Nemesis]

I recall you posting that at the time, but I'd like to see that 20 per cent rule written down somewhere official...

I admire your pragmatic approach, which is in the letter of the law. I think.

 

[ljn]

I've had windows installed or refurbished by this company on a few period properties. http://www.sashwindow.com/index.html

The laminated glass option ( 2 sheets of Pilkington K glass glued together by a film of silicon) is a good compromise between modern performance and traditional look. The glass is much thinner (8.8mm) than double glazing as there is no metal space bar/void. It has excellent sound-proofing and heat retension properties. The sashes are draft sealed and come ready decorated.

Any division of the pain is fake. but the look is perfect from a distance and ok from close up.

 

[thiambal]

Well it is a compromise I suppose if you are desperate to improve the isulation of your windows. The company look like a professional bunch and they have obviously thought things through,

But really, the descriptions make you want to weap.

http://www.sashwindow.com/show/sww_bi_show.htm

http://www.sashwindow.com/to_biglass.htm

Silicone beding, bonded on glazing bars. And your windows need to be in good nick to do it. I think a bit of draft proofing and some thick curtains is a less destructive option.

 

[Nemesis]

Am I to understand that they remove and junk the original glass to do this?

Flat glass looks so wrong on a period building!

 

[thiambal]

Not just junking the original glass but routing off the glazing bars and then bonding a hard wood imitation on to the new glass dg unit.

Perhaps the 2 sheets of K glass stuck together with silicon is less destructive to the wood work but as you imply it could mean destroying panes of beautiful old glass.

 

[tony]

I had to replace my sash and case windows as they were completely rotten due to neglect for 40 years and then a empty unloved house for a number of years.

I purchased spiral balance sash and case double glazed windows as replacements, they look great.

OK it has a spiral balance, but this is not noticable with blinds etc.

Company was called Bereco and I purchased these thru my local timber merchant which was Rembrant.

Comes complete with 4 coats of factory finish.

Just put the last 3 in last week in the lounge bay window, it did take 4 of us to put the centre window, very heavy, just the 2nd fix to complete this weekend, thank god for nailguns.

Regards

Tony

 

[biffvernon]

windows from Magnet... weren't bad

Eh?

Except, that is, for the sill.

Ah.
Those wooden sticky-out sills are just a way of getting around not bothering to build in a proper stone sill.

2 sheets of Pilkington K glass glued together by a film of silicon

No point sticking two sheets of K together.

It has excellent sound-proofing and heat retension properties.

Unless you have a very different understanding of 'excellent', I don't believe you. What's its U-Value and acoustic attenuation?

junk the original glass

Vandals

OK it has a spiral balance

I find these quite a useful bit of 20th century technology, They allow for thinner, stronger profiles in the frames and no broken sash cords.

 

[tony]

Biff,

I agree but there seems to be on the forum that technological advances are frowned upon.

I chose spiral balance for the reason you posted and didnt want the maintenance issue with cords etc.

the spiral balance runs very smoothly

regards

tony

 

[Lime]

Biff,

I agree but there seems to be on the forum that technological advances are frowned upon.

I chose spiral balance for the reason you posted and didnt want the maintenance issue with cords etc.

the spiral balance runs very smoothly

regards

tony

Maintenance issues with sash windows are usually caused by broken sash cords, too much paint or total neglect.
The modern replacement cord doesn't rot or wear to any great extent.
I doubt that the spiral balance systems will withstand anything like the punishment corded windows continue to endure.

 

[Nemesis]

Sash cords - I suspect most have lasted many, many decades before breaking - and once replaced they will last many more decades.

We have a spiral balance on one window which I suspect is possibly a couple of decades old - I don't find it at all satisfying to use ( I think the trad way with weights etc is a clever and satisfying piece of technology) and the spiral one is rough and sticks.

The window is now rotten and needs replacing really, and I will have propers sash weights when it is.

We also have one sash window without any weights and cords at all - and it seems it never had - it also works fine!

 

[biffvernon]

Traditional weight balanced sashes are lovely when they are in good condition. An amusing diversion (I'm easily amused) is to walk down any street of pre-1900 houses and try to count how many of the windows look as though they work and how many have clearly never opened for a very long time.

 

[Moo]

... try to count how many of the windows look as though they work and how many have clearly never opened for a very long time.

... because they've been replaced with plastic.

 

[Nemesis]

Yes, I'd like to walk down a street of pre 1900 houses and find all the sash windows intact too!

A walk to our village shop is these days a most depressing experience.

However, I have to admit that apart from the bathroom window I rarely open many of the others - in winter too cold, in summer I tend to open doors. We do have open fireplaces though, which provide plenty of ventilation.

 

[Nemesis]

I had a look at the Bereco site.

The Regency casements (which seem to be pretending to be sashes) are unbelievably awful - a total mockery of traditional design, complete with plant on horns!

Oh dear.

Not sure I know what Merranti is either.

It does seem daft to me though that all these windows are so tighlty sealed then have trickle vents.

 

[Lime]

I had a look at the Bereco site.

The Regency casements (which seem to be pretending to be sashes) are unbelievably awful - a total mockery of traditional design, complete with plant on horns!

Oh dear.

Not sure I know what Merranti is either.

It does seem daft to me though that all these windows are so tighlty sealed then have trickle vents.

I agree absolutely.

 

[Nemesis]

The sash window - it's unclear too if the horns are integral or 'plant on'.

The idea that horns are merely decorative and do not also serve a functional purpose does not fill with confidence.

 

[biffvernon]

Not sure I know what Merranti is either.

Meranti (usually with one 'r') is timber from the genus Shorea. Native across south-east Asia, it's what orang-utangs used to live in until some idiot thought they should be cut down so that we could have cheap doors and windows.

 

[tony]

some local authority insist on trickle vents.

Its also a good idea to let some fresh air into the house without having to leave window open for insects to enter/intruders.,

Condensation! ever heard of it

I have to add my windows are thankfully not on their web site,

Some people who dont know a type of wood, should keep their opinions to themselves, they seem quick to jump down peoples

But you will probably have some stupid reply

 

[Nemesis]

Not at all - my replies are not stupid.

Condensation - yes I've heard of it. I tend not to get it with my traditional sash windows as they allow a small amount of ventilation.

However, having trickle vents is required I agree in modern windows. It rather negates certain of the supposed benefits of double glazing and all that draughtproofing though, as required by regulations.

And maybe I was being Devil's advocate about the wood...

 

[tony]

well if you do a search there seems to be lots of daft posts, possibly just to get your number of posts up high.

bye