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 for the perfect solution for your home.
windows london and rail: Horizontal and vertical members which support the glass within the frame of a window or door.
Frames
If you own a period cottage or a modernist new construction, frames are crucial to the look of your windows. Choosing the right frame material for your house is vital since it has an immediate impact on how well your window will perform and lasts for and ultimately how much your home is worth.
There are three kinds of frames that are available: UPVC (also called polyvinyl chloride), aluminium, and wood. uPVC is the most sought-after option due to its low-maintenance, energy-efficient properties. It is available in a wide range of colors and can be coated with a wood effect for a more traditional look. It is extremely durable and requires little maintenance, aside from cleaning. If you live in a place which is exposed to extreme weather conditions, uPVC may not be the best option.
Aluminium is a great material for frames due to its lightweight and robust. It also is sleek and modern in style that is ideal for contemporary homes. It is light and can be finished in any RAL color that matches the style of your home. It's not as effective as uPVC but is a good alternative if you are looking for greener options.
Steel is a fantastic choice for older structures as it can be powder coated to match the colour of your stonework or bricks. However, the problem with the traditional steel frames is that they're not thermally broken and therefore do not really protect you from the cold. Fortunately, technology of the 21st century has caught up with this and it's now possible to get a slim steel frame with impressive thermal break performance.
Timber is a stunning material for any kind of property, but its price is more expensive than other materials. It does provide one of the most attractive aesthetics and, if taken care of properly, will last for a long time. It is best to select a wood that is suitable for your frames, since different woods do not have the same characteristics. A poor quality wood is not just going to decay rapidly, but also cause rotting and water ingress which can damage your window sashes as well as cills.
Sashes
Many of the older homes have sash windows. Sash windows are easily recognizable and elegant. They are a stunning timeless style that has endured the years. Sash windows have many benefits and are becoming more sought-after due to their aesthetics and practicality.
A Sash is a vertically sliding two-paned window. It can be opened to allow for ventilation or view out. The opening and closing of sash windows is supported by a system of pulleys that are concealed in the window frame itself. These pulleys are extremely robust and, since they are integrated into the window frame they are able to be easily and inexpensively repaired.
During the Georgian period, sash windows began to become more popular because they allowed in more light into narrow streets and cottages. The glass panes of these windows were typically equally divided to reduce their cost, because the technology was not yet advanced to the point that larger panes could be made in a stable manner.
There are now several different kinds of sash windows, however the traditional box sash remains one of the most popular choices. These windows are a great choice for those who want to preserve the look and feel of a period property, but with modern features like draught seals or security locks.
Sash windows can be either double or single hung, depending on the design and frame. A single-hung sash opens the bottom panel by sliding it up. A double-hung sash is able to open both the bottom and top panels by sliding them horizontally across one another.
You should speak with an expert in window design to determine which type of sash window is right for you. Sash windows, for example are able to be fitted with various equipment, like sash lifts or sash chains which allow the windows to be operated when they are opened. A sash can be equipped with a staff bar which holds the sash in place and stops them from being pushed by wind or draughts.
Cills
Cills can be easily fixed by carefully removing rotten wood and then putting in new. These should be shaped to obtain maximum strength, while also preserving as much of the historic fabric as is possible. A drip should be added to redirect water away from the bottom of the window.
Historically, sash windows were made of slow-growing deal (pine), with oak being used only in prestigious homes and early examples of the style. It is therefore important that the cills used for new windows are sourced from this material and thoroughly painted, primed and then incorporated with drip.
Small areas of loss and deterioration can be made good by using resin-based fillers mixed with a wood dust or timber consolidant. This is a cost-effective approach to maximise the amount of historical fabric that is left in repair. This technique is also very effective in repairing damaged sash frames when the damage was caused by inadequate maintenance.
Glass
Glass is usually the most important part of a door or window. It can be tinted or clear and can increase the architectural value of the structure. It can also offer significant energy savings by cutting down on solar radiation. Tempered glass is treated to withstand more force than the normal glass surface. It breaks into small pieces instead of splintering and reduces the risk from flying fragments.
Historic glass should always be protected when repairs are needed and care must be taken to safeguard it from damage caused by accident. Sash windows from the past could contain crown glass (a kind of flat glass with curved ridging or air bubbles) or cylinder glass that adds character and depth to the facade. Original pieces of both types are extremely rare and valuable. They should be kept in place whenever feasible. Glass must be protected from the effects of chemical paint removers which can cause cracks and breakage. The putty that is used on wooden frames should also be carefully repaired and reapplied.
The use of resin-based repair products allows for the removal of loose paint and rust from surfaces without damaging the profile and surface finish of the wood or its putty. These products can be used to repair a variety of minor problems such as rot, decay and structural movement.
Sash windows - A type of fixed window in which the sash can be opened or closes on pivots either side, or at the top and bottom. This type of window is generally more attractive than operable windows and often contains a transom.
Casement windows open and close using hinges on the sides or on the mullion between. This type of window is commonly found on older houses and is often paired with fixed wings or panels to create a bay window.
Simulated divided-lites – A grid or grille that looks like it has separate panes that are separated by muntins but is actually composed of larger lites and muntins placed between them. This gives the appearance of a variety of smaller window units.