Give Your Home a First Impression With Quality Windows and Doors From London Window and Door
Give your home a first impression that will last with the best quality windows and doors from london windows and doors. Visit our showrooms in Dorchester, Woodstock, Ingersoll and St Marys to find the best solution for your home.
Stile and rail - vertical and horizontal members that hold glass in frames for doors or windows.
Frames
Frames are crucial to the appearance of windows whether you have a period cottage or a new build. Selecting the best frame material for your home is crucial since it has an immediate impact on how well your window performs and lasts for and, ultimately, how much your home is worth.
There are three types of frames including uPVC (also called polyvinyl chloride), aluminium, and wood. uPVC is the most well-known choice due to its low-maintenance, energy-efficient properties. It comes in a variety of colours and can be coated with a wood-effect finish to create a more traditional appearance. It is durable and requires minimal maintenance, other than cleaning. However should you reside in an exposed location uPVC might not be the best choice because it is susceptible to degrading over time in the extreme weather.
Aluminium is a good option for frames because it is lightweight and durable. It also has a sleek, modern style that is ideal for modern homes. It is also light and can be finished in any color RAL to get the ideal match to your building. It is not as efficient as uPVC but is a good option if you want an eco-friendly alternative.
Steel is a fantastic option for older buildings since it can be powder coated to match bricks or stones. The issue with the conventional slim steel frames is that they are not thermally broken and therefore don't really keep out the cold. The 21st century has finally caught up, and now it is possible to get a simple steel frame that can provide impressive thermal break performance.
Timber is a stunning material for any type property, but its price is higher than other materials. It is a stunning material that, if properly taken care of it will last for a long time. It is best to select a wood that is rated appropriately for your frames, because not all woods have the same qualities. The wood of poor quality will not only degrade quickly, but it could also lead to rotting and moisture ingress, which could damage the window sashes and cills.
Sashes
Sash windows are a characteristic that is present in many a period property. They are easily identifiable and effortlessly elegant, with a gorgeous, timeless style that has stood the test of time. There are numerous advantages to windows made of sash for your home, and they've been getting more popular in recent years due to their aesthetic and practical advantages.
A Sash is a vertically sliding, two-paned window. It can be opened to allow for ventilation or view out. The pulley system that is concealed within the frame of the window allows for the opening and closing of sliding windows. They aren't likely to break, and the fact that they are part of the window means that fixing them is easy and cost-effective.
During the Georgian period, sash windows became more popular because they let in more light to narrow streets and cottages. The glass panes of these windows were typically equally divided to make them more affordable, because the technology was not yet advanced to the point where larger panes could be made in a reliable manner.
Nowadays, there are several different kinds of sash windows available but the classic box sash is still one of the most sought-after choices. These windows are a good option for those looking to retain the appearance and feel of a classic home but with modern conveniences like draught seals and security locks.
Sash windows can be double-hung or single-hung based on the frame and design. A single hung sash features an opening on the bottom by sliding upwards, whereas a double hung sash has a top and a bottom panel that can be opened by sliding horizontally across each other.
You should speak with a window expert to determine what kind of sash window is suitable for you. For example, sash windows can be outfitted with a variety of hardware, like Sash lifts and sash chains which allow you to operate the windows when they are open. Sash windows can be also fitted with a staff bead, which helps to keep the windows in place and prevent them from being pulled out of alignment due to wind or draughts.
Cills
Cills can be repaired by carefully removing decayed wood and then putting in new. They should be designed so that they maximize strength while keeping the original fabric to the maximum extent possible. A drip should be included to direct water away the bottom of the windows.
Historically most sash windows were constructed from slow grown deal (pine), with oak only being used in expensive homes and early examples of the genre. It is therefore crucial that new cills are sourced from this material and thoroughly primed, painted and incorporated with a drip.
Small areas of damage and loss can be repaired with resin-based fillers that are mixed with a wood dust or timber consolidant. This is a cost-effective method to maximize the amount historic fabric that remains in repair. This technique is also very efficient in the repair of a damaged sash frames where the damage was caused due to inadequate maintenance.
Glass
The glass is often the most important component of a door or window. Clear or tinted it can enhance the architectural significance of the building and offer significant energy savings due to solar radiation control. Tempered glass is specially heat treated to withstand greater than normal forces that are applied to its surface. it breaks down into small pieces rather than splintering, and reduces the hazard from flying shards.
Historic glass should always be kept in place during repairs, and extreme care should be taken to shield it from accidental damage. The sash windows of the past may have crown (a flat glass with curving ridging and air bubbles) or the cylinder glass that adds dimension and character to the exterior. Both types aren't made in a factory, so original pieces are highly valuable and should be retained in-situ whenever possible. Glass should be protected from paint strippers and chemical paint removers that could cause it crack or break. In the same way, the putty on wooden frames must be repaired and renewed with care.
Resin-based repair products are able to get rid of loose paint and rust without harming the surface finish or profile of the wood. They can also be used for the repair of many other minor problems including decay or rot, structural movements, distortion, and deformation.
Sash windows - A type of fixed window where the sash can be opened or shut on pivots at either side, or at the top and bottom. This kind of window has an attractive appearance compared to operable sash, and is usually associated with transom.
Casement windows - A type of window that swings open or shut by hinges at the sides or on a mullion that is between them. This kind of window is typically found on older homes and can be paired with fixed wings or panels to create a bay window.
Simulated divided lites A grille or grid design that appears to have separate glass panes that are separated by muntins, however it actually uses larger glass lites with the muntins arranged between them to create the appearance of several smaller window units.