Windows dilemma

[ThorandLoki]

We are about to start a renovation of a converted Victorian coach house (built c. 1880) to include an oak framed extension. The coach house originally served the old rectory next door which is in the Gothic revival style. Our architect is very keen for us to have replacement oak windows installed and has maintained that the frames will turn grey and look lovely. The existing windows are oak, but are quite orange and unattractive. The architect said this is because of the stain that was used on them, however the joiner who came to measure up for them today said that it looked like a clear varnish. I really don't want to have orange window frames - the joiner said the only way the oak would weather to grey is if it had no protection, but then there is the risk of the wood warping and/or cracking (the front of the house faces south). He also said that if we used some type of oil (Danish? Linseed?) for protection then it would need redoing regularly - possibly every year - and we really don't want anything that's going to be that high maintenance. Are we therefore better off having something like acoya and painting it? Or has anyone had any experience of just leaving oak windows untreated and allowing them to age naturally? I have previously voiced my concerns to the architect but he seems to think my worries are unfounded. Any advice or experience welcomed!

 

[Flyfisher]

We have a south facing facade and I can confirm it's a nightmare for anything painted! I've tried various different paints on a mixture of old and new, hard and soft woods, including linseed, and while they have slightly different performances they have all ultimately succumbed to the sun and really require repainting every few years at most to keep them in pristine condition. I deem that to be high maintenance! I suspect my experience would be somewhat better if all the paintwork was white, but anything painted is going to need regular maintenance.

Conversely, we also have some new oak windows and doors and, in hindsight, I made a mistake in applying Osmo exterior waxoil, which has given them the somewhat orange colour you describe. It's actually ok but it is a treatment of sorts and thus needs regular maintenance, though not as much as paint. However, I took the decision not to maintain them and let them weather naturally. Unfortunately, they look a bit shabby while the Osmo weathers away but the oak itself it weathering to grey very nicely and I've had no problems with 'movement'.

All of which is a long-winded way of saying I agree with your architect and would not have the oak treated if I was doing the same again. Compared to almost anything else, this would not be a 'low maintenance' solution, it would be a 'no maintenance' solution - for a couple of hundred years at least! What's not to like - lovely silver-grey doors and windows that require no maintenance in your lifetime!

 

[ThorandLoki]

We have a south facing facade and I can confirm it's a nightmare for anything painted! I've tried various different paints on a mixture of old and new, hard and soft woods, including linseed, and while they have slightly different performances they have all ultimately succumbed to the sun and really require repainting every few years at most to keep them in pristine condition. I deem that to be high maintenance! I suspect my experience would be somewhat better if all the paintwork was white, but anything painted is going to need regular maintenance.

Conversely, we also have some new oak windows and doors and, in hindsight, I made a mistake in applying Osmo exterior waxoil, which has given them the somewhat orange colour you describe. It's actually ok but it is a treatment of sorts and thus needs regular maintenance, though not as much as paint. However, I took the decision not to maintain them and let them weather naturally. Unfortunately, they look a bit shabby while the Osmo weathers away but the oak itself it weathering to grey very nicely and I've had no problems with 'movement'.

All of which is a long-winded way of saying I agree with your architect and would not have the oak treated if I was doing the same again. Compared to almost anything else, this would not be a 'low maintenance' solution, it would be a 'no maintenance' solution - for a couple of hundred years at least! What's not to like - lovely silver-grey doors and windows that require no maintenance in your lifetime!

Oh that’s really good to know, thank you. The joiner seemed to think we would need to have some sort of protection but if your experience is that it’s not required then that very reassuring.

 

[Flyfisher]

Visit some churches and look at their weathered oak doors and windows. They'll probably be a bit 'gnarly' and most likely have a few splits but they'll also be a few hundred years old. They might not suit a modern house but in the right setting they look lovely.

 

[ThorandLoki]

Good point.

 

[Kearn]

It really all comes down to the skill of the joiner and the quality of the oak. Anything that isn’t genuine joinery grade and dry/stable, will cause issues. More so if left open, as oak should be …

 

[ThorandLoki]

It really all comes down to the skill of the joiner and the quality of the oak. Anything that isn’t genuine joinery grade and dry/stable, will cause issues. More so if left open, as oak should be …

That makes sense. I guess hard to be sure about these things though?

 

[Kearn]

That makes sense. I guess hard to be sure about these things though?

Very. Oak will move a bit, it’s a hardwood, but not what it used to be. Depends on how the window is constricted and how the frame is created and secured to the building.

It would be my preference though…