Wood options for sash windows

[PeterI]

Tomorrow I've got various tradesmen coming round to quote for redoing the pointing and replacing the uPVC windows with wooden sashes.

I'm wondering what sort of woods are currently being used in the UK for sash windows and if there are any woods to specifically avoid. It seems likely we'll get permission from our CO to install double glazing (next door has 12mm double glazing according to their LBC application) so are there any gotchas to be aware of?

The conservation officer is turning up and the guy who's coming round to quote for the pointing seems keen to meet up with her (I'm taking this as a good sign) but this does beg the question if KitKats are correct for conservation officers or do they need a different sort biscuit with their tea?

 

[Gareth Hughes]

Just as long as the tea is proper tea and not Earl Grey or some other aftershave-flavoured cup of vileness.

 

[Roger H]

Not so sure on wood, but you might fund this site of use: http://www.histoglass.co.uk/ - Thin double glazed units with various galss options inc hand drawn. I saw a sample last week and they looked very good. An alternative and different system to Slimlite units.

 

[skier-hughes]

We've been using Douglas Fir, clear, straight grain, slow grown Baltic. Speak to a proper wood merchant and they'll help you out,

 

[Zebra]

I've just had all new timber windows made in Douglas Fir....

 

[88v8]

....you might find this site of use: http://www.histoglass.co.uk/ - Thin double glazed units with various glass options inc hand drawn. I saw a sample last week and they looked very good. An alternative and different system to Slimlite units.

Looks excellent. Crown glass sealed units
No use to me as I have leads, but appears to be a very good option for sashes.
To state the bleedin' obvious, dg units need heavier counterweights.

Ivor

 

[dandrew]

George Ellis in "Modern Practical Joinery" [circa 1900] recommends oak for the sills and straight grained pine for the boxes & sashes. Douglas fir would have been the choice of our forebears as is still well thought of today. You might also consider Southern Yellow Pine (imported from the US), but it needs to be well seasoned.

David

 

[PeterI]

Not entirely happy with joinery company who came round today. They seem to be suggesting that some of the woodwork around the window will need to be moved to make space (I suspect their design is a bit thicker than usual somehow), is this a common issue?

The conservation officer however seems to be reasonably approachable and has blessed our plan to add an ensuite bathroom.

 

[88v8]

Not entirely happy with joinery company who came round today. They seem to be suggesting that some of the woodwork around the window will need to be moved to make space (I suspect their design is a bit thicker than usual somehow), is this a common issue?

I would assume their sashes are thicker to allow for double-glazing. In many houses this would not be an issue, mainly a matter of cutting back the plaster in the reveals. If your reveals are panelled then they would need alteration to accommodate thicker sashes, as the thickness of the outer and inner box and parting bead are not reducible.
Alternatively, find someone who will make sashes of original dimension. You might still be able to double-glaze with the units that Roger H flagged up.

Ivor

 

[Cocoa]

Hi Peter,

I am in the process of having my windows replaced, and the two companies I approached both work with accoya
It's a modified softwood, so comparable to hardwoods but a more sustainable (and affordable!) choice than hardwood itself. A quick google search produces a vast amount of marketing information - http://www.accoya.com/ - but less feedback from individuals who have actually used the stuff, which personally I would have liked. I suppose this must be because it is still quite a new product. However, the company I eventually chose are a pair of brothers who have been making wooden sash windows for over 30 years, and have pretty strong views on what is 'fitting' and 'aesthetic' (their words, not mine!) so I was quite happy to go with their recommendation! Windows due to be fitted around November so unfortunately I don't have a first hand opinion on them yet...

 

[plasticpigeon]

The old Edwardian sashes and bay window in my house are cheap pine. I'm sure they are not pitch pine as it is not orangey, it is soft, and not very resinous. Most of the sills have rotted and a small part of the bottom of the bay window that gets the rain driven onto it have rotted, but most of the rest of the wood including the moving sashes are fine. I think the rot can be attributed to poor maintenance. On this evidence I am perfectly happy to use cheap redwood on all but the sills which I think are worth making from hardwood. I have made a sash box using these materials. I'll let you know in 10 years how its looking!!!!

 

[PeterI]

I'll let you know in 10 years how its looking!!!!

Not sure either I or the conservation office will be happy to wait quite that long.

 

[88v8]

the sills which I think are worth making from hardwood!

I thought that. The windows in our previous house I had made with mahogany sills and sashes in 1981. No problems with the sashes in 30 years, but the usual maintenance issues with cracking where the sill joins the verticals of the boxing.
There was also a problem with the sills because they were made in two pieces, with a front extension tongued on, and that joint used to crack.
'We always make them that way, sir'. Hmmmm, well I knew no better then.

The sash I had made in 1990, by a reputable co, had endless problems with shakes opening up in both the softwood boxing and the (one-piece) hardwood sill. Needed painting every three years or so despite being painted with proper lead paint.
So it's not just the wood, but also the seasoning.

Ivor