Sash Window Restoration Versus Replacement What Option Is The Best

| Friday, February 25, 2011
By Malcolm Stephenson


House owners with sashes like them. They are simple to open and shut, and they are good at allowing plenty of air to circulate inside. But when they need work, how to choose sash window refurbishment or replacement which option is the best stays in the forefront of the mind.

At the heart of timber sashes is the counterweight and pulley that allows the window to stay where you slide it. Over time the runners wear and the counterweights can stick, resulting in windows that are sticky, or rattle in even a moderate breeze.

If your windows jam, this may be an indication that moisture has swollen timber work or there may just be too much paint on the frame and rails. It is easy to determine whether these can be easily rectified or whether partial or complete replacement is required. Sometimes the cord in the counterbalance mechanism detaches from the pulley and gets stuck on the pulley spindle.

Or the chord snaps detaching the counterbalance so the window never stays true but leans to one side when open. Again this is an easy problem to remedy for a professional window tradesman.

To repair, first remove the trims. A flat chisel and hammer is great to pry the trims off without causing visible damage or breaking them. If unsure get in a carpenter or builder. This gives access to access to both the frame and counterweight mechanism. A competent handy man should have no trouble repairing or refurbishing them.

When it comes to refurbishing your frames and joinery, replacement of the counterbalance mechanism should be done to ensure trouble free use of your sparkling as new frames and glass. If a new look is desired, then replacing with modern sash windows in timber or aluminum may be the best decision.

If aluminum appeals then the replacement option is the only viable choice. The deciding issue between replacing or restoring quite often comes to the balance between authenticity of existing joinery versus the convenience of new joinery.

If the house is such that it becomes important to retain authenticity and adhere to the architects original design, then refurbishment becomes the sensible path to take. If creating a new sleek modern look and eliminating drafts is high on the agenda. New professionally installed frames and joinery make sense. In either scenario, a professional job will enhance the look of the house and even add value to it.

But in the final analysis, sash window refurbishment or replacement which option is the best for home owners ultimately gets decided on the benefits of new versus maintaining the integrity of the original frames and joinery. To endure the right choice is made, many homeowners speak to reputable trades people, strong on restoration and renewal, to gauge the best solution.




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