Draught proofing sash windows for period properties. in Sussex and the surrounding areas.

Sussex Sash Window Restoration have carried out draught-proofing services on sash windows for many years now. In Brighton and Hove, Lewes, Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, Crawley, Gatwick, Uckfield, Cuckfield, Eastbourne, Shoreham, Horsham, Worthing Pulborough and Arundel. Sash windows are one of the best inventions ever been thought of when it comes to window construction. They have stood their ground for over 350yrs and are making a massive comeback due to TV period dramas.
Period properties look completely different when their original features are stripped back to reveal the beautiful original design. You can see messy repairs in every area in Sussex where the council do not enforce conservation orders. Some property owners think that they can do any improvements you like, but in England you really can’t.

Upgrading properties in 70s and 80s and how it is so wrong.

In the 70s, 80s and 90s people stripped away the old sash windows and put in new plastic double glazing believing it progression. Problem was that people were listening to the hard sell from ruthless salesmen that did not leave until you signed. This still happens today, but this is more about cost rather than wanting to do the right thing for your property.
The Plastic windows came with Draught seals, Double glazing and low maintenance for something in your home you just saw the neighbours through. People forgot why they fell in love with their property in the first instance. They forgot imagining coming to the gate and seeing their family at the window waiting for them to come home. Maybe a house they can remember in childhood, walking up the path to see dear old Grandmother.

Period windows can be draught-proofed like modern windows.

People have looked at this aspect and realised that you could draught-proof these windows. To make them the same as modern day sash windows that conform with all new building regulations.
Are you lucky enough to own the original old sash windows in your property than modern ones? This is great! These sashes are classed the same as hardwood products on the timber durability chart. Douglas Fir that’s been air dried has the same strength as Utile (mahogany), the timber of choice for windows. This costs around £2200 to replace each window in this material and do remember that a bay has 3 windows.
The cheapest way to upgrade your property with your sash windows, is to draught proof the opening sashes in your property.

Draught-proofing sash windows procedure.

The sash windows will be taken out of the frame and all the build-up of paint will be removed. This is done with industrial sanders on the sashes and moving parts of the frames.

The sashes are routered out on the top of the top sash window, meeting rail on the bottom sash. Then we install ready made draught-proofed parting beads and staff beads to create a seal around the sashes.
The windows are then hung again, and parting beads and staff beads will be caulked so that there is no gaps.

Furniture is included with the draught-proofing and this involves 2 d-handles on the meeting-rail of the top sash. This is so that the top sash can be moved easily and be pulled down.
There will be lifts on the bottom sash window and a Brighton fastener on the top of the meeting rail to the bottom sash.
All furniture is made by one of the best manufactures in England, Carlisle Brass and not cheap imitations.

Circulation of air will reduce condensation.

The top sash window should always be able to open, this will cool down the room faster with air circulating. Open the top and bottom sash just 10mm, cool air will push the warm air out of the top sash. This will circulate all air holding the moisture in the air and reduce condensation in the room. When the windows are draught-proofed it will cause condensation but if you just stick to these simple rules, they will be fine.
Condensation is caused when the glass is at the same temperature as the outside. The room temperature drops and cannot hold the moisture anymore and then you get a bridging effect on the glass. This is also called the cycle of water. The water cycle is that we drink water and because our body is very warm it evaperates into our breath. We breath this out and moisture gets put into the air. when the temerature drops then it condeses back to water on a cold surface like glass or mirrors. This especially happens in cold seasons of the year so it is so important to ventilate the property. You will see this on the sashes as a black mould forming and this will eventually cause rot.

Why is there still a gap on the meeting rail.

Sash windows are made to have a small gap on the meeting rail of about 3 – 5mm either side of the parting bead. This is so that when the sash moves up and down it does not bind against the parting bead. This is not for air-flow but its just the mechanics of the window based on the Hook law.
Robert Hooke may have invented the sliding sash in based on equal weights, pullies and external force so equal weights will balance themselves equally. When force is used it will move and remain equal when force is removed. Please read more about this on our history page.

Please have a look at some of the projects to see how we can transform your beautiful period property.

we cover the following areas: Brighton and Hove, Lewes, Hassocks, Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, Crawley, Gatwick, Uckfield, Seaford, Cuckfield, Eastbourne, Pevensea, Hastings, Shoreham, Horsham, Worthing Pulborough, Chichester, Arundel, East Sussex and West Sussex