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Maintaining Timber Windows A wellmaintained wooden window is a crucial component of a historical building It is a representation of the materials and technologies craftsmanship and architectural taste of the time that it was built in If possible repairs should be made insitu Repairing the most severe areas of decay can be done with the help of specialized resinbased systems Durability The timber windows in many old buildings were built to last for hundreds of years They do require maintenance to keep them looking good Maintenance tasks include sash cord repairs and retightening pulleys for sash and painting There is also a rising demand to upgrade timber windows to increase the efficiency of energy This could include replacing old glazing units repairing existing window rebates or installing new cills to increase the air seal The corrosion of paintwork is a major problem with traditional windows This is particularly important when sash windows are concerned as the gaps between sashes may be quite large In these circumstances water may get through the paint film and cause decay of the putty and the wood underneath The weather can be a factor in accelerating the decay To stop this from happening windows should be painted regularly with an exterior wood paint Areas that have been damaged must also be repaired using a resinbased 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 to allow cable access since they can let in moisture and cause decay The walls structural movement could also cause distortions in the frame and the sash This can lead to the sash not fitting properly and jamming or sticking to the opening and broken glazing This is often corrected by putting in new sash frames made of slowgrown deal pine or oak The cill should be constructed of a durable hardwood like oak to avoid differential movement between the existing and new work To reduce the risk there are now a variety of companies that produce Boston pattern sash made of wood that will fit into the majority of existing openings The sash is available in a range of sizes and finishes that meet the needs of the modern homeowner These sash are coupled with quadruple draft strips and improved thermal insulation can significantly improve the efficiency of your homes energy usage Aesthetics Many old timber windows have a great aesthetic value because they typically show in a particular way the materials and technologies and architectural style of the time in which they originate They also may have significant historical value in their individual cases This is particularly true of early windows that were not glazed in timber framed buildings where the great majority were merely a series of openings in the frame which were divided horizontally into mullions and iron or wood bars to keep out intrusions It is important to maintain the appearance of traditional timber window joinery It is essential that any decay that results from water penetration is immediately stopped once it is discovered This is best done by painting thoroughly especially in areas where there has already been damage or deterioration It is advisable to use paints specifically designed to be used as part of the system primer undercoat finish and to follow the manufacturers recommendations in relation to preparation and the amount of coats needed at each stage The fungus responsible for wet rot can spread quickly in old timber windows To prevent this get rid of any damaged or rotten parts as promptly as you are able to The replacement of rotting timber should be carefully undertaken using slow grown deal pine and if feasible using the same species as which is being removed in order to prevent differential movement between the new and old timbers Glass became less expensive and more abundant in the late medieval era and into the 17th century As a result the glazed openings in timberframed homes were more elaborate with moulded mullions wooden tracery and deep projecting cills In the past more often the glass was placed within frames with rebates and secured with glazing sprigs rather than into lead cames This method of glazing is not just less prone to leaks but it can allow for more expansive clearer sheets of glass to be used in windows than would have been possible without the need for lead lights Energy efficiency Traditional timber windows offer excellent energy efficiency due to their thickness and multilayer construction as well as meticulous attention to detail cambridge window replacement RepairMyWindowsAndDoors the deep projecting cills and the large glazing areas minimize air infiltration The windows can be modified to increase their energy efficiency through draughtproofing and secondary glazing However it is important to keep in mind that these measures must be considered in the context of the overall quality and appearance of the window in its original form Therefore keeping the existing windows from the past that are in need of repair rather than replacing them is logical particularly when their thermal enhancements can be made inexpensively with simple repairs and upgrades The windows that are historic have a lot considered to be of historical value because they reflect a variety of technological advancement and changes in architectural taste The pressure to replace these windows are typically based on the assumption that the old windows will need replacement in the near future however most are still capable of serving for 150 200 or even 250 years if they are properly maintained It is important to recognise that the decay problems that are typical of windows made of timber can be avoided by thorough maintenance and swift repairs In addition it is essential to identify damp penetration problems and address them swiftly to avoid serious damage The early deterioration of paint is a major issue as it allows moisture to penetrate the wood and cause wet rot This type of damage is typically not evident until the paintwork is wavy or cracked but it can cause severe structural damage and can lead to further decay A quality paint will prevent moisture penetration To prevent condensation and mould it is important to keep the paintwork as clean as possible Modern synthetic paints pose a problem because they are waterresistant and can cause mildew to grow within the window frame The majority of older windows were constructed of sapwoodrich timber The timbers will deteriorate rapidly if exposed to rain however they can be protected with a thorough preservation treatment before use It is essential to select the right type of wood for your location and the climate since these factors will affect the durability of the joinery Local window manufacturers make various types of timber sash that can be adapted to fit specific historic openings They can be produced in the standard Boston pattern or in custom sizes to suit historical structures Maintenance The life span of windows made from timber can be extended by regular inspection careful redecoration and timely repair The most common cause of decay is moisture intrusion through the deterioration of paint and putty This can be prevented by using a good wood preservative and thoroughly painting the wood It is crucial that repairs to the old sash and casement windows are properly executed and completed with the minimum disturbance Repairs can be made to several traditional designs of timber windows without having to remove the frame This should be done whenever possible Remove loose or peeling paint and lightly sand the area to improve the key of the surface This will allow the new coating to stick better Care should be taken to avoid stripping old paint layers that could have historical value and if they are present it is recommended that a paint analysis be conducted Where a section of timber has begun to decay the best option is to remove the rotted material and replace it with splicedin inserts that are shaped to match existing profiles The wood that is being inserted should be treated with a wood preservative and the joint between the cill for timber and the subcill of the masonry should be sealed Replacement of windows made of traditional PVCu can be an attractive option especially when the installer provides a onestop shop installation that takes care of removal and replacement in a day It is however vital that the installer of windows replacement has a thorough understanding of the construction and history of traditional wooden frames This will allow them to make appropriate recommendations for energy efficiency improvements as well as other technological advancements that wont affect the appearance of a building that is historic Those providing replacement windows should be registered with a Competent Persons Scheme like FENSA This will ensure that the replacements are deemed as a suitable option under Building Regulations It is of course possible for an experienced and skilled carpenter to install PVCu windows that match the style of the original building This is especially true when windows are situated in listed buildings or conservation areas
