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

Maintaining Timber Windows A wellmaintained window made of timber is a significant part of the historic fabric of a building It reflects in various degrees the materials and technologies of the time in which it was made the design and craftsmanship If repairs are possible to existing windows should be carried out in situ The repair system that is based on resin can be used to repair the most damaged areas of decay without removing the whole window Durability Timber windows were made to last for centuries But they have to be maintained to ensure that they look great and working properly Maintenance tasks include repairs to sash cables retightening of sash pulleys and painting The demand for enhancing windows made of timber to increase energy efficiency is also growing This could include replacing old glazing units fixing existing window rebates or installing new cills to improve air seal One of the major issues with traditional windows is the damage caused by corrosion of the paintwork This is especially true in the case of sash windows because the gaps between sashes may be quite large In these situations water can penetrate the paint film and cause rotting of the putty and the wood underneath The rotting process can be made worse by weather conditions that are not ideal To prevent this windows from becoming rotten they must be painted regularly with an exterior wood paint that is suitable In addition to repainting areas that have corroded must be repaired using a resinbased repair product This will ensure that the maximum possible amount of the original fabric remains It is crucial to reduce the number of holes made into the frame in order to allow cable entry since they can let in moisture and cause decay The structural movement of the wall could also cause distortions in the frame as well as sash This can result in sash no longer fitting correctly or sticking or jamming into the opening and damaged glazing Often window supplier cambridge can be corrected through the installation of new sash boxes made from slow grown deal pine or oak The cill needs to be constructed from a sturdy hardwood such as oak in order to prevent any shifting between the new and existing work There are now several companies that manufacture Boston pattern wooden sash that fit into the majority of existing openings They are available in a variety of sizes and finishes that meet the needs of the modern homeowner 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 frames have a great aesthetic appeal as they display in a certain shape the materials technology the construction process and the architectural style of the time they were made They may have significant historical value on their own This is particularly true of early windows that were not glazed in timber framed buildings which were simply a series of openings within the frame that were subdivided horizontally into mullions and iron or wood bars to deter intrusions It is crucial to maintain the appearance of traditional timber window joinery As soon as you see any decay caused by water penetration it is essential to stop it This is best done by painting thoroughly especially in areas that have already suffered damage or deterioration It is recommended to use paints that are specifically designed to be used part of the system primer undercoat finish and to follow the manufacturers recommendations regarding preparation and number of coats needed at each stage Wet rot is a common problem in old timber windows and the best method to stop it from 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 Replace rotting wood with slowgrowing deal pine and should it be possible the same type of wood that is being removed to avoid differential movement Glass became more affordable and abundant in the late medieval era and into the 17th century As a result the openings for glazed windows on timberframed houses were more elaborate with moulded mullions tracery made of wood and cills that protruded deep The glazing was increasingly placed within frames with rebates and pinned in with glazing sprigs rather than into lead cames This method of glazing not only makes the windows less likely to leak but also allows for more clear glass sheets to be used than would have been possible otherwise without the use of lead lights Energy efficiency Traditional timber windows offer excellent energy efficiency due to their thickness multilayer construction and very careful attention to detailing The large glass areas deep projecting cills and the large glazing areas reduce air infiltration With secondary glazing and draughtproofing windows can be upgraded to improve their energy efficiency However it is essential to keep in mind that these measures must be considered in relation to the overall integrity and appearance of the original window Therefore keeping old windows that require repair instead of replacing them is sensible particularly when their thermal enhancements can be achieved costeffectively through simple repairs and upgrades Historic windows are often of historical significance since they reflect a variety of technical development and changes to the architectural style Most people assume that these windows will have to be replaced in the near future However many of them can still provide service for 150 200 or even 250 years if they are maintained with proper maintenance It is important to recognize that decay issues associated with traditional timber windows are easily prevented with timely and thorough repairs It is also essential to spot damp issues and correct them swiftly so that you can avoid serious damage Early paint deterioration is a major issue as it allows moisture to penetrate the wood and cause wet rot It is not uncommon for this issue to go unnoticed until the paintwork starts to crack or turn curly However it can cause structural damage and further decay A highquality paint will prevent this moisture penetration It is also important to keep the paintwork spotless in order to prevent mould and condensation Modern synthetic paints pose a problem since they are usually waterresistant and can cause mildew growth within the window frame Most older windows were made from sapwoodrich wood The timbers will deteriorate quickly when exposed to moist weather conditions but they can be protected with a thorough preservative treatment before they are used It is crucial to select the right type of wood for the location and climate as these variables can affect the longevity of the joinery Local window manufacturers have a wide range of sash timbers that can be made to fit the historic openings They can be produced in the standard Boston pattern or in custom sizes to fit the architectural style of historic structures Maintenance The life span of windows made from timber can be extended significantly by regular inspection as well as a careful redecoration and timely repair The most common reason for the decay is moisture intrusion through deteriorated paint and putty This can be avoided with thorough painting and the use of highquality wood preservative Repairs to old sash windows and frameless casement windows must be done with care and minimal disruption Many traditional timber window designs can be repaired without removing the frame and this option should be followed whenever possible Remove peeling or loose paint and then lightly sand the surface to improve the key of the surface This will enable the new coating to stick better It is important to avoid stripping old paint layers that may have historic value and if they are present it is recommended that a paint analysis be conducted If a portion of wood is decayed the best way to deal with it is to remove it and replace it with timber inserts shaped to match existing profiles The inserted timber should also be treated with a wood preservative and the joint between masonry subcill and timber cill should be sealed Its tempting to replace traditional windows with PVC u especially if the installer offers an allinone installation which includes removal and replacement in one day It is important that the 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 as well as other technological upgrades that wont affect the appearance of a building that is historic Those who provide replacement windows should be registered under a Competent Persons Scheme such as FENSA This will ensure the replacements are approved by the Building Regulations as a suitable alternative A skilled carpenter is able to install PVCu windows that conform to the original character of the building This is especially true when windows are installed in listed buildings or conservation areas