Sash windows

[Styxx]

Hi all. We bought a house this year, it's part of a Victorian psychiatric hospital that was renovated into flats and houses in around 2003, and it's grade II listed. We have timber sash windows (spiral balance) which I suspect haven't been given much (if any) attention since they were installed the best part of 20 years ago. We need to do something with them but we're having trouble finding anybody to do the work.

The way I see it, we can either get them repaired or replaced. I've found a few companies online that will do replacement, but we're looking at a little over £20k for 9 windows and we just don't have that kind of money. Unfortunately I can't find any companies that do repair - one company that would replace said that they used to repair but they gave up that side of the business because it was less profitable.

In terms of repair, is this the sort of thing that your average joiner would be able to take care of? So far I've been looking for specialists but I don't know if I'm barking up the wrong tree.

If we end up going down the replacement route, are there any grants that are available for this kind of thing? I'm thinking along the lines of energy efficiency grants - I did find one thing but they would only deal the PVC windows, which I wouldn't want and more than likely wouldn't be allowed anyway.

Any other useful advice anybody has would also be greatly appreciated. I've never had to deal with a listed building before, and I don't really know what I'm doing!

 

[malcolm]

What do you need to fix? Well worth posting some photos (use the attach files button).

There are still a lot of 200 year old windows around that have survived mostly because of breathable paints. Modern gloss paints are really bad for wood as they trap water.

The right joiner will tend to be way better than a specialist and a strategy for paint would be sensible. But it would be good to see the windows.

 

[eezageeza]

Sash windows are nearly always repairable! We have sash's here which were new, softwood with spiral balances, maybe 20 years ago, and have not been maintained very well in that time. I've just started a refurb project on them, and although it involves some joinery skills, it really isn't difficult.

There's a great explainer thread on here from Feltwell (he'll be along in a minute to link to it!) and if you fancy having a go yourself that's a good place to start.

The skills required are definitely 'joiner' rather than 'window installer' so if you want to sub it out, look for local joiners, not window companies

 

[eezageeza]

Found it !

Sash windows, repair don't replace!

Quite a while ago - really quite a while ago - I said I'd do a post on the basics of sash window repair & improvement, to hopefully encourage anyone who's looking at their windows and doubting their abilities that a sash window is perfectly repairable by an enthusiastic amateur - and that those...

www.periodproperty.co.uk

 

[Feltwell]

Guilty party for the repair don't replace thread here!

First off, fully agree with the comments above, sash windows can look to be in a terrible state but are actually still quite simple to repair - which is well within the capability of anyone willing to give it a go, you don't need to be a time-served joiner. My post above is all about original weight-and-pulley type sashes, but a modern spiral balance one will not be that different to work on.

If you really don't want to do it yourself, definitely as above forget talking to window installers and window companies, they will only be interested in rip out and refit. I'd suggest you get to know your local joinery shop - where they make wooden doors, windows, staircases, shop fittings etc. They will have customers who are jobbing joiners, working on site - who use them as bench joiners when they want something making. They should be able to give you some numbers to call. Good luck!

 

[CliffordPope]

I fully concur with Feltwell - anything can be repaired. I've fixed sashes where the entire bottom rail has rotted away, and the glass was hanging on by the paint. I've canibalised parts from other salvaged sashes found in skips or dumps.

 

[BlueTed]

I fully concur with Feltwell - anything can be repaired. I've fixed sashes where the entire bottom rail has rotted away, and the glass was hanging on by the paint. I've canibalised parts from other salvaged sashes found in skips or dumps.

I’m glad I’m not alone. I love to dive into a skip and the timbers (from joists to sash windows) I’ve accumulated are intended for repairs over using modern timber which is mostly rubbish.

 

[charlesmh2000]

There are plenty of companies now specialising in repair rather than replace ... Such as this one

www.haringeysash.co.uk