REASONS TO RESTORE
DRAUGHT PROOFING 
SMOOTH SLIDING
IMPROVED SECURITY
NOISE REDUCTION
RATTLES ELIMINATED
COST SAVINGS ON NEW WINDOWS

SASH WINDOW RESTORATION AND REPAIR

Independent sash window restoration service, specialising in repairs and full restorations of traditional corded sliding sash windows.

Unlike modern timber windows, original sash windows were built from slow aged timber, and they were made to last. Even left exposed to the elements for long periods, the window structure in most cases remains solid enough to repair after the most intrusive timber decay.

To ensure your sash windows have a continued long life they should be given a top to bottom service, including, any timber decay being repaired and loose joints reinforced, excess paint is removed and all cords and weights are checked. Additional benefits can be had by installing a full draught-proofing system with easy slide inserts, new window latches, lifts and security bolts. This can cost as little as £240 per window (for smaller windows in multiple window orders).

Decayed lower sash rail
Repaired lower sash rail
Working with Festool power tools and dust extraction systems

ABOUT

All repairs and restorations are completed by Andy (and an experience workmate on larger orders), a reliable restoration specialists with a professional approach to repairing and restoring traditional sliding sash windows. The service includes:

  • prompt arrival on site
  • protective covers over all affected surfaces and valuable possessions
  • employing FESTOOL power tools with integrated dust extraction systems
  • full awarenrss of onsite safety and security practices, covering children, pets and the odd adult

Operating a mobile workshop keeps overheads low so there’s less to pass on to customers, additionally there's:

  • no administrative costs or VAT
  • no salesmen, the person assessing the job and providing the quote will be the same person who completes the work

Regardless of how minor or complex the task, you can expect close attention to detail at all stages.

‘I had a badly weathered and leaking rotten sash window and sill that might have appeared beyond repair. Andy has a belief in restoring before replacing and after his restoration work my window is as new.  It is impossible to see where the old wood joins the new such is the meticulousness of Andy’s joinery.  Furthermore, Andy went to great lengths to protect the area, the furniture, the carpets. I wont hesitate to recommend.’   
Judy W13
‘Andy did an excellent job in restoring my sash windows back to full working condition. He was professional and clear on pricing and timescales from the beginning and throughout. While on the job he was tidy and gave me updates if needed. Very glad I chose Andy for the job, I couldn’t recommended him enough.’
 Madeleine TW18
‘Can highly recommend Andy, who has just replaced some decayed wood around kitchen windows, and restored our Edwardian latticed French doors.   His workmanship is of a high standard, and he obviously cares about maintaining period architecture. He was pleasant and easy to talk things through with, made useful suggestions, and it was a relief not to have to replace these items altogether. I would be very happy to seek his help again.’
Judy W13
The standard service is aimed at traditional style sliding sash windows that appear to be in reasonable structural condition but maybe jammed, have broken cords and latches, are a bit draughty and rattle in the wind, they can even sometimes appear to be very shabby and beyond repair. The standard service is designed to ensure that both sashes are full operational, all manageable decay is spotted and repaired, draught proofing is installed alongside easy sliding fins, all externally exposed timber is sealed with a silicon membrane and coated in an industrial weatherproof timber barrier.
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WHAT'S INCLUDED

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  • Remove staff bead and release bottom sash if painted up.
  • Remove parting bead and release top sash if painted up.
  • Sand sashes and sash boxes as required to ensure smooth running, remove lumps of paint or filler from the flat but not moulded areas of the frame.  
  • Reinforce and strengthen any loose bottom joints and repair any decay. 
  • Replace up to 20-30% of the missing or cracked putty.
  • If required plane windows at the top and bottom of the respective sashes to improve closing alignment.
  • Where there is a gap, seal weight box to the timber sill on both sides.
  • Clean of any wax and lubricate pulleys.
  • Hoover soot and debris out of the bottom of the sash boxes.
  • Thread new sash cords (8mm Nylon). 
  • Rebate the top of the top sash and the meeting rail of the bottom sash (where closed sashes meet) and inset draught excluder.
  • Plane and rebate all sash sides and inset nylon easy-glide low friction width extenders.
  • Re-fit top sash and ensure smooth operation and draught seal.
  • Cut and fit new parting beads that contain an integral draught excluder.
  • Re-fit bottom sash and ensure both sashes are nominally level at meeting rail.
  • Cut and nail off new staff beads that contain an integral draught excluder.
  • Check smooth running and draught seal.
  • Weather seal any external exposed timber.
  • Fit new Brighton pattern latches, sash lifts and security bolts with either a brass, chrome or satin chrome finish.
The benefits of restoring traditional sash windows:
Cost savings over new – retaining a valuable original feature
Rattle elimination – sleeping through windy nights
Draught reduction – keeping the warmth in during cold spells
Better sound insulation – leave the traffic outside
Smooth sliding – easy and quiet opening and closing
Improved security – more peace of mind
Cost savings over new –
retaining a valuable original feature
Rattle elimination –
sleeping through windy nights
Draught elimination –
keeping the warmth in during cold spells
Better sound insulation –
leave the traffic outside
Smooth sliding –
easy and quiet opening and closing
Improved security –
peace of mind
And once decorated the sashes look great, free from the worry of decay.
Repairs and Improvements
Repairs and improvements range from very simple jobs such as replacing lifts, security bolts or latches to more complex structural repairs caused by weathering damage or even forced entry.
Some common improvements include:
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SASH CORD REPLACEMENT

If lower sashes won’t remain open or upper sashes won’t close the cause is probably broken sash cords which need replacing. To replace the cords (with 8mm nylon cord) the beading is removed and the sash taken out of the box. The counterbalance weights are removed and corrected if necessary, new cords are fed though the pulleys and tied to the weights, the sashes are then hung on the new cords and the beading is replaced.
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DRAUGHT PROOFING
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Draught proofing your sash windows has a real impact on how warm a room or hallway can feel, all those gaps around a sash window can effectively add up to a sizable hole in your wall. Additional benefits include rattle elimination so that those windy nights won’t mean sleepless nights and a surprising level of sound insulation.
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DECAYED TIMBER TREATMENT
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Treating decayed timber shouldn’t be put off, once the decay has set in the only way to stop it spreading is to treat it. This involves hacking out the decay, spraying the remaining exposed timber with an industrial preservative, building the missing wood back out with a combination of timber splices and epoxy resin. The repair is then crafted to match the original elements and finally any exposed wood is treated with a weather shield.
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RELEASING PAINTED UP SASHES
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Painting sash windows isn’t a straightforward decorative job, it requires  experience to understands how to move the sashes as they are painted. It's very common for sashes to become jammed after painting but as long as there aren’t any additional complications sashes can often be realeased in a single quick site visit. Please call Andy for a quote.
A traditional sliding sash window comprises one or more movable frames, or 'sashes', that hold panes of glass which are often separated from other panes by glazing bars. The sashes are held in the sash box by timber beads, on cords that thread through the pulleys at the top of the sash box. The other ends of the cords are attached to counterbalance weights inside the sash box, this forms the sliding mechanism that enables the windows to operate.
A
Top Rail
B
Parting Bead
Small timber bead which runs the full height between the upper and lower sashes
C
Staff Bead
Bull-nosed moulding fitted around the entire inside perimeter of the window
D
Glazing Bar
E
Cord
F
Sash Horn
G
Meeting Rail
Meeting point of the bottom rail of the upper sash and top rail of the lower sash.
H
Bottom Rail
I
Pulley Stile
The facing sides of the sash box against which both
sashes slide.
J
Window Sill
K
Window Board
L
Sash Stile
The left and right sides of the upper and lower sash
M
Pocket
Cut out sections of the pulley stile that can be removed to access the weights
N
Counterbalance Weight
O
Pulley Wheel
07917 665181
andy@localrestorationman.com
Traditional sash window repairs and restorations in Ealing, Acton, Shepherds Bush, Chiswick, Hammersmith and Fulham
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