ABOUT WINDOW SASHES

Around 1 in 10 of the total dwelling stock in England have timber sash windows, with 4 out of 5 of these dwellings dating from before 1918. Just under half the total have timber casement windows. Timber reigned supreme as the material for windows until after the turn of the eighteenth century.

With the industrial revolution, iron frames were introduced. Since then there has been a massive growth in the use of steel and an even faster growth in the use of plastics.

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Techniques for the construction of timber windows have been unchanged for many years. Shaped mullions are tenoned into sill and head, some to accommodate opening casements and some to accommodate fixed lights. Both fixed lights and casements for timber windows were in earlier times subdivided into smaller apertures by timber glazing bars or astragals, either broad (2 inches or more) or narrow (down to half an inch). The double hung sash timber window began to replace the side hung casement in popularity in late Stuart times; from Georgian times to Edwardian, and even later, it took over as the preferred design of the domestic window. Most were counterbalanced with cords and weights. Some, however, in the poorest dwellings had no such mechanisms and the sash timber windows needed to be opened by brute force and held up by wedge or pin.

LEADING UK SUPPLIERS OF WINDOW SASHES

Original Box Sash Window Company, based in Windsor, specialises in the manufacture of traditional oak window sashes, and hinged casement windows and doors, which look just like the originals but are fitted with double or triple glass sealed units. The company's window sashes feature original designs with hardwood horns; elegant slim hardwood glazing bars; a choice of hardwood finishes; discreet draught, noise and dust barriers; and ultra slim double or triple glass sealed units to retain space for traditional mouldings.

Jen Weld UK is a leading supplier of timber windows, including window sashes. Its range of timber window sashes incorporates stepped sashes for improved performance whilst retaining traditional sight lines. They are supplied fully glazed with 24mm Low E insulating glass units. Ventilation is via concealed ventilator(s) through the head section. All windows have extended horns on the top sash and flush to frame sills as standard. As an optional extra these timber sash windows can be designed to comply with the Secured by Design standards for security enhanced windows.

Ventrolla is the UK market leader in the renovation of window sashes, upgrading them to performance comparable with modern replacements. The Ventrolla service carries a five year guarantee. All work is done from inside the home so that windows are always left secure overnight, thereby preventing the use of expensive scaffolding or concerns about the weather. All Ventrolla craftsmen make a point of ensuring that they work tidily and that all residual materials are cleared away. A wide range of specialist locks and catches ensures increased security. The Ventrolla Sash Removal System & Swing Sash System allows easy access to cleaning and painting, enabling the removal from the inside of both upper and lower sashes.

DETAILED INFORMATION RESOURCES ON WINDOW SASHES

We recommend the following professional construction directories, which include manufacturers' specifications and CAD details: Barbour Compendium at www.barbourcompendium.co.uk, RIBA Product Selector Plus at ww.productselector.co.uk, ASC Bricsnet at www.ascinfo.co.uk, Building Products Index at www.bpindex.co.uk, British Board of Agrément at www.bbacerts.co.uk, British Standards Online at www.bsonline.bsi-global.com.

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Other recommended portals: Archbone, Building Design, Homeone Australia, Lighting Directory, Sapling, Stone Network.

Publisher: Abacus Construction Index is a professionally edited directory of recommended construction websites, published by Extonet Ltd which also publishes a directory of the world's best websites. It is financed only by Google advertisements; no payment is received from included websites.