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Sash windows are a more traditional design compared to top or side-opening windows. They are often found in older properties but can look good on more modern homes too. Due to the unique design of sash windows, whereby the panels slide up and down on a pulley system, as opposed to opening via a hinge, you need to tackle the cleaning side of things a bit differently. Read on for some useful tips on how to keep your sash windows nice and clean.

Cleaning Timber Sash Windows

Most older sash windows are made from timber. These require a bit more effort to keep clean compared to newer, UPVC models. If you have double-hung sash windows and you want them sparkling so you can admire your folding sun lounger on the manicured lawn outside, you need to do the following.

Use a small brush to remove loose debris from inside the window frame. If you have a vacuum cleaner handy, this will be helpful to get rid of any remaining dirt. Grab a bucket of hot, soapy water and wipe down the inside of the frames. Pull each sash window down so you can access every section of the frame.

Next, clean the glass panels using a soft cloth. Adding some white vinegar to the water will ensure your glass is streak-free, so that cheap garden furniture set on the patio looks suitably impressive in the sunshine.

Repeat the exercise on the outside of your windows and be careful to look for any signs of timber rot or degradation of the cords inside the casement. If you do spot any damage, it may be possible to fill any small areas of rot using some good-quality wood filler, but if the integrity of the window has been compromised, call a joiner to come and replace the worst sections.

How to Clean UPVC Sash Windows

Thankfully, UPVC sash windows are usually easier to clean because they operate differently. Whereas traditional sash windows slide up and down on a cord mechanism, UPVC sash windows tilt inwards or outwards, depending on the individual design. This ensures all parts of the window are readily accessible when you want to clean them.

Once you have opened your sash windows, follow the steps above to remove dead insects and debris, wipe down the frames, and clean the glass.

Pay attention to any defective parts of your sash windows. If the hinges are stiff or the windows are not aligned correctly when closed, so you can feel a draft, call the original installer to adjust them or consider replacing older windows for more energy-efficient windows.

Be Careful when Cleaning Sash Windows

While cleaning the inside of sash windows is something most people can do without much effort, be very careful when attempting to clean exterior windows. Upper-level windows should only be cleaned if you have a ladder and someone to assist. Don’t try hanging out of the window to clean the external areas; it’s dangerous.

Every sash window project is slightly different, no repair is the same and the beauty of our job is that we get to see something new every day! Nothing surprises us…

Read more “To DIY or to not DIY, that is the question!”

Sash Windows are notoriously drafty. The older your house, the more of an issue you can expect it to be. We have dedicated decades of skill and technique into providing draft solutions for our customers so everyone can enjoy sash windows from the comfort of a warm, environmentally friendly home. If you didn’t catch our previous post, we gave away some tips to help you conserve energy in your home DIY.

Heat conservation and draft combatting gets a little more complicated however, if you’re looking for a long term solutions. It’s good to know what’s out there, if it’s worth it and what else you could be doing before making an investment. Luckily, we’ve got all the answers to keeping your home snuggly with help from the professionals!

1.Talk to us about replacing the glazing.

Though pricey, this is by far your best option. What we do is we’ll preserve your sash window frames but replace the existing glass with a super-thin double glazing. This leaves you with not much of a visual change but significant reductions in heat loss. Honestly, you’d need a sash-window-trained expert to make fine inspection in order to tell the difference!

2.Don’t assume you need entirely new windows, talk to us about opting for a restoration instead!

The high price-tag that comes with new windows can often drive many home renovators make the mistake of searching for cheaper window replacement deals with a normal builder…

COME TO US FIRST! We can’t tell you how frequently we have customers come to us insisting on getting all of their sash windows replaced, only to be filled with joy as we tell them that all they need is a simple restoration. Window replacement is a fairly extreme option and whilst this is necessary in some cases, there are varying levels of restorations and only rarely will we need to take out the entire window and replace it with a new one. It’s pricey as well and there are so many different routes we can go down to replace and restore parts of your window in order to meet energy conservation regulations.

3.Avoid the facade of triple glazing

Yes… it exists! Whilst triple glazing may sound like it’s triple effective, the reality is far less than the case. We discourage customers from choosing triple glazing as money can always be better spent on nifty renovations to help heat loss in other ways. If you ARE looking to upgrade to the triple glazing, you can be looking at an average annual saving of around the £2 per window mark. Factoring in the cost of your average triple glazed window compared to double glazing, it might pay for itself in over 20 years. Worth it?

Heat conservation is a fussy business, if you need any help with making your sash windows more environmentally friendly then call a member of our team to discuss your options today

The art to conserving energy with sash windows is a tricky one. They are, by nature, drafty things! The average, single-glazed sash window could be loosing 16 times the amount of heat per unit area than you would lose through a wall. Seeing as many houses built up until the 1930s had sash windows.. well, we’ll leave you to do the maths but that’s an astronomical amount of sash windows in the Brighton and Sussex area alone! Luckily, at Sash Windows Brighton, we’ve got all the sash expertise at our fingertips to give you the best advice when it comes to keeping the heat in!

1.The pros and cons of traditional window covers

Blinds, insulated shutters and thick curtains have been around historically to combat the cold for one simple reason. They do the job incredibly well! They’re cost effective, it doesn’t involve making many changes to the window area itself it’s a great way to fix your draft problem DIY. Even the most draft-proofed of draft-proofed windows would still benefit from the likes of a simple blind or shutter.

But these methods have their drawbacks. For instance, the moment you open the curtain, that method ceases to work due to radiation heat loss. Even when closed, the window will still fall victim to condensation and lastly, it doesn’t do much if noise pollution is also a problem for you!

2.Draft-proofing your sash windows

For a temporary fix, you cant go wrong with a masking tape feature, especially for windows that aren’t used and are rarely seen. Sealing them up for the winter when they’re not needed is a great way to save you money – especially with our present day gas prices! You could also try:

• side sashes in a bay
• surface mounted metal strips
• compression seals

 

Whilst draft proofing will greatly improve energy conservation in your home, you need to assess whether or not you still have enough ventilation. If not, you could easily end up with high humidity in particularly wet rooms such as the kitchen, bathroom etc.

3.Secondary Glazing

There are many ways you can add a level of secondary glazing to your sash windows and they range in price, effectiveness and endurance.

The temporary fix:

If you live in a rented property and you’re just looking to get through the cold season without breaking your bank due to astronomical gas prices then the one-seasons-only window film is the one for you! Simply stick it on the window as tight as it will go and then use a hairdryer to seal it properly. Just don’t knock into it too often. It may cut heat losses down by a third if used properly but it is easily damaged. Also beware that you won’t be able to open windows if you use a temporary window film.

A slightly better temporary fix:

The step up from window films is the polyester sheet. You can choose between rigid models or roll away numbers which are great for storing over the warmer months of the year. They’re usually attached with magnetic strips and are easy to apply in an afternoon of DIY. Simply measure your windows and cut accordingly. The great thing about the rigid version of the polyester sheet is you can take them up and down in seconds if you fancy a blast of fresh, winter air!

So there you have it, three great tips for getting your sash windows to save you money DIY style. We’ll be carrying on with our heat conservation advice in our next post but if you need any help with making your sash windows more energy friendly in the meantime then give Sash Windows Brighton a call. A friendly member of our team will be happy to run through some options and give an insight into what we can do for you today!

When the topic is home improvement and energy ratings the refurbishment of sash windows is often relegated down the priority list. Focus is often on energy efficiency installations such as wall and loft insulations. However, the benefits of such improvements will not be felt fully if they are done in a home with worn out sash windows. Here are some reasons why you should consider refurbishing your sash windows today.

Read more “Why Refurbishing your Sash Windows Should Be High On Your Home Improvement List”

Sash windows have been around since the 17th century and are an integral part of British architectural history. They have retained their charm even after all these years and any renovation or new construction that involves Victorian, Georgian or Edwardian architecture does well to consider incorporating them.

Read more “Sash Windows – A buying guide”

Wooden sash windows are a popular choice for many home owners who want to make their homes look beautiful and stylish. Proper installation of these windows is therefore important for it will contribute to the overall sturdiness of the structure that you are constructing. The installer must make sure that these windows are well insulated and airtight. This is particularly important because you need your house warm during winter.

Read more “Wooden Sash Windows – The Installation”

The word sash has its origins in the french word “Chassis”, meaning frame. Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian architecture used sash windows extensively and they have become a symbol of vintage elegance throughout the history of architecture.

Read more “Sash Windows – A Brief History & Introduction”

 

Sash windows are currently extremely popular in the UK, as they were in centuries past. Historically, sash windows became less popular as they were known to be high maintenance. There was also a time when ‘window tax’ was active in the UK, making this style of window much more expensive. Now, we don’t have window taxes and advances in tech and building materials mean the windows aren’t as high maintenance.

Read more “Sash Windows – Timber vs uPVC”