Sash Window FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to our most frequently asked questions
A vertical opening window associated with Victorian and Georgian architecture
The cost of a restoration can be very different from the cost of a replacement. This is because the materials, labour and time involved in each process is very different. But it really depends on what you are comparing. Replacement sash windows in timber or an alternative material like timber alternative UPVC can range hugely in their approach to quality and traditional looks, and the costs associated will also vary accordingly.
The cost of new replacement timber sash windows can vary massively, from softwood examples for a more short-term solution at around £1000 each, to top quality seasoned durable hardwoods at as much as £5000 per sash window. There are then mid-range products, often using engineered softwoods such as Accoya, which will likely be between those figures, typically around £3000 per window.
In the timber alternative market, there is again a large range, but it would usually be possible to specify a sash window to suit your aesthetic and practical requirements, as well as your budget. Timber alternative sash windows typically range in cost between around £1500 for a more simple product, up to around £2.5-3k per window for top quality premium products such as the Bygone sash range.
Painting timber sash windows can be done in the conventional way, but modern timber-alternative sash products can now be factory sprayed in hard wearing acrylic coatings.
Cleaning techniques for sash windows depend on the material. For timber-alternative and PVC-u products a non-abrasive alcohol based cleaner like isopropanol works great on the frames and the glass.
Sash windows slide up and down and are held open or closed by a mechanism. On original windows this was a pully and a lead weight, but on modern window this is often a spring, called a ‘balance’.
If you are fortunate enough to live in a listed building you must comply with English Heritage (EH) recommendations when making modifications to your home. EH “preserve” important structural elements from destruction, on behalf of the country, for future generations to come.
Local conservation officers, however, often apply the same draconian rules to unlisted properties that happen to be a in a conservation area. Authorities have a duty to “conserve” the general appearance in these areas, but they should be far less stringent.
We urge you to take your time, if you make a poor decision now, the odds are you will always notice it while you remain at your property. Worse still, it might cost you dearly should you feel the need to change the windows again!
In contrast, the best replacement sash windows will go unnoticed, blending seamlessly with the existing facade, being well balanced and correctly proportioned and harmonising with their surroundings.
It’s about so much more than just the material the window is made from!