With your windows being exposed to the elements 24/7, 365 days a year, it is not uncommon for them to suffer damage over the years, or for their condition to deteriorate to the point that a few repairs are required. There are numerous factors which will affect the lifespan of your windows such as weather conditions and temperature, making it inevitable that repairs will at some point be unavoidable. When this occurs, we would advise you to act sooner rather than later to ensure small problems do not escalate into bigger, more expensive ones. Plus, the longer you suffer a draught or a crack in the glass, the longer you will be suffering from heat loss and higher energy bills. We take a look at some common problems associated with older sash windows and what you may need to consider getting repaired in order to rectify them.
What are common problems with older sash windows?
Broken cords
Broken sash cords are one of the more common problems to encounter, they prevent your window sashes from opening properly which can be frustrating and impractical. The sash cord is located at the side of the frame of the top sash, so it is easy to identify if this is broken. Unfortunately, this is not something you can quickly repair as the existing frames must be disassembled and reassembled to fit a new cord, so we would recommend seeking the help of a professional.
Inefficient seals
If your seals are not waterproof or airtight then you will risk both water getting into your home, and heat escaping from it. Making sure your seals are working efficiently will ensure your sash windows remain as thermally efficient as possible. It is inevitable that the condition of your window seals will naturally deteriorate overtime, so as soon as you feel a draught or spot a leak, it’s a clear sign that you should replace your seal or fit a new draught excluder to your existing frames to help prevent wood from rotting and avoid wasting energy.
Damaged panes of glass
If you have suffered cracked or smashed glass, not only will this affect energy efficiency, but this also presents a security risk to your sash windows and therefore, your home. Replacing or repairing of the glass should take place as soon as possible to restore energy efficiency, and you may wish to consider secondary glazing to improve this further.
Deteriorated staff and parting beads
These are strips placed in the window frame for insulation and water proofing purposes, usually manufactured out of timber. To avoid wood rotting and the glass in your windows becoming loose, you should regularly check on the condition of staff beads, as these serve an important role in protecting your top and bottom sashes.
Worn glazing bars
With some designs of sash windows, glazing bars may be present to further secure glass in place and provide improved insulation. Any damage to glazing bars may impact the structure of your sash windows. Repairing bars will prevent windows from becoming more susceptible to adverse weather conditions. The timber of these bars can be repaired using dry seal or replaced completely to further secure the glass in between.
For the longest lasting sash windows, it is important that the timber material is treated properly to ensure a long-lasting solution. At Home Counties Joinery, we use Teknosproducts for all timber painting and treatments, to ensure the wood is correctly primed and fully protected once the painting process is complete to prolong the life of your new windows. It is inevitable at some point that maintenance and repairs will be needed at some point down the line, which is why you will need them to be carefully restored by a team of experts.
We always recommend sash window repairs are handled by a professional to ensure they are restored to their original quality and beauty. If you require the assistance of an expert team for your sash window repairs, get in contact with the Home Counties team on 01279 967 444 to discuss your enquiry with us.