Wooden Sash Windows History
Wooden sash windows were hugely popular in the 18th and 19th Centuries. There is definitely a more sympathetic attitude to these elegant window designs in recent years and people are often opting to restore their sash windows products rather than go for PVC replacement windows.
Wooden sash windows are a great design for the British climate as you can close them to a very narrow gap that allows good ventilation but prevents excess rain getting in. They also typically last longer than comparable hinged wooden windows because the sashes are protected inside the “box”.
The Victorians really embraced the design and added very ornate decoration with intricate mouldings and leaded lights. They often grouped the traditional timber sash windows together in impressive bays.
Wooden Sash Windows Today
Most people’s experience with box sash windows comes when it is time to refurbish the windows in their Victorian or Edwardian house. This was certainly my experience. The windows in our Edwardian terrace were rattly and very draughty and although we live on a quiet road, we could here all the conversations of people walking past the window. Our research showed we had basically the following choices when it came to our windows: we could either have them restored or replaced. Since putting in UPVC sash windows would have detracted from the house too much we decided to get the casement windows restored.
Wooden Sash Windows Restoration
Sash window restoration is a an extremely skilled job and although we got quotes from carpenters, we ended up going with a dedicated sash window restoration company. Depending on the state of your 
windows you may need some or all of the following done:
- Restoring mortice and tenon joints
- Replacing the sash cords and pulleys
- Installing new brushes
- Repairing or replacing the surrounding woodwork.
Our timber windows being so loose needed all of these things doing. The other option we had was to consider whether we wanted double glazed wooden sash windows. The advice we got was that the vast majority of the heat lost is around the loose fitting frames rather than the glass and that double glazing is more of priority if you live on a noisy road (not hard in London!). It is also hugely expensive to get double glazing and so any small cost saved through insulation efficiency would take years to recoup. So we decided to leave the glass as it was.
The work was completed very quickly and the results were amazing. Although the windows still looked cosmetically rough – decorating the windows was a separate job once the restoration was completed – the difference to the feel of the room was amazing. The background rattle was gone and the rooms just instantly felt more snug. There was also no more hearing people outside moaning about their boss/boyfriend/girlfriend etc!
Our restored sliding sash windows are now all painted and work as they would have done when they were installed in 1903. If you are considering refurbishing your old wooden sash windows I would urge you to find a specialist – there are a surprising number of them around. They will be happy to give you a quote to transform your rattling, noisy old windows into beautifully efficient and aesthetically pleasing re-juvinated wooden sash windows.