Sash Windows Glass

[matt80]

Hi all,

I'm going to have my sash windows repaired and renovated, but unfortunately a number of the panes (about 50%) of glass are badly cracked and will need replacing.

I'd like to replace with 'wobbly' glass, but this appears to be expensive and hard to get hold of. Does anyone know of anywhere that can supply this at a reasonable(ish) cost?

If I have to go with modern float glass, would it look odd having a mixture of wobbly and flat? Should I therefore replace all the panes so everything is consistent?

Any advice would be appreciated

Thanks,
Matt

 

[LadyArowana]

http://www.periodproperty.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=12365&p=164305#p164305

 

[TheForge]

Not sure where abouts you are but i know of a chap in Somerset who can supply and fit horticultural and/or crown glass.

If your interested let me know and I'll message you his details.

 

[Moo]

Norwich suffered a bit during the war and although our house didn't get bombed its windows certainly suffered from all the vibration. The result is that we have a mixture of old and (relatively) new glass, but I reckon that fits into the "part of the history of the house" category and I'm content to live with them as they are.
However, should we ever have to replace a pane I'm resigned to the fact that the sashes would probably have to be re-balanced because of the added weight of the modern glass.

 

[Feltwell]

However, should we ever have to replace a pane I'm resigned to the fact that the sashes would probably have to be re-balanced because of the added weight of the modern glass.

It's an easy enough job Moo. You keep the existing weights and add a "make weight" in most cases - a lead weight with a hole in the middle where you cut off what you need to add to the original weight, or you can get small ready cut ones in lead or iron that thread onto the sash cord. You've usually got enough room to do this, not many need a complete new weight because of lack of space.

What's more of a pain (pane?) is if one side of a single sash has different glass to t'other as then it can be out of balance and, whilst possible to correct with the sash weights, it's a bit fiddly and trial and error. New glass isn't always that much different in weight to old though, it depends on what was used. My late Victorian glass is much the same weight as the ordinary float glass I can get from the local glazing merchants.

 

[Penners]

If I have to go with modern float glass, would it look odd having a mixture of wobbly and flat? Should I therefore replace all the panes so everything is consistent?

I would urge you not to replace the old glass until and unless it's absolutely necessary. If you simply can't manage to replace the broken panes with crown glass, then there's no reason to worry about having a mixture. Thousands of houses have. Conserve the precious old stuff!

 

[biffvernon]

What you need is 'cylinder glass' from Tatra. Ask for clear P1. They will cut to size or you can by whole sheets that are about a yard square and cut it yourself. They deliver large quantities in their own van or send small quantities by courier. It's beautiful.
http://www.tatra-glass.co.uk/

Never remove any old glass.

 

[Flyfisher]

Funny thing this 'old glass' business. Of course any original fabric should be preserved where possible, including old glass. But when the inevitable accident occurs and old glass is broken, is it really so bad to replace it with modern glass? Could brand new cylinder glass be considered pastiche? From what I've read, the use of reclaimed oak beams is often frowned upon in conservation circles, yet the re-use of old glass seems to be generally approved.

I feel sure that the glass craftsmen of old did not set out to create optically-distorting glass; they were clearly limited by the techniques and the technology of their time. I wonder if 'wobbly' glass would be so revered today if the first glass makers had had the capability to create optically-pure glass?

 

[biffvernon]

Could brand new cylinder glass be considered pastiche?

No. It's just a beautiful product. The optical distortions are not deliberate but are a feature of the manufacturing process, as with any other hand made product. The craftsman strives for perfection but the product would fail if perfection were ever achieved. (I hate float glass which has been distorted to make it look old - it doesn't).

An optically perfect pane of glass allows one to see out of the window without interruption but is not an object of beauty in itself. It is dull, lifeless, functional in as far as it protects from the weather but contributes nothing more to the architecture. A piece of hand-made, mouth-blown cylinder glass will sparkle in the sunshine and make you smile even on a grey day.

 

[Lime]

An optically perfect pane of glass allows one to see out of the window without interruption but is not an object of beauty in itself. It is dull, lifeless,

Even worse is the sunken/dished double glazing a majority of modern properties are blessed with.
They may be plastic for all I know.
I hate the look profoundly.

 

[Penners]

An optically perfect pane of glass allows one to see out of the window without interruption but is not an object of beauty in itself.

I'd never really thought of it in those terms, but that's absolutely right. Modern 'perfect' glass functions extremely well, but makes no contribution to the aesthetics of the building.

But I'm only repeating what Biff said...