Give Your Home a First Impression With Quality Windows and Doors From London Window and Door
Give your home a first impression that will last with the highest quality windows and doors from london windows and doors. Visit our showrooms in Dorchester, Woodstock Ingersoll, and St Marys for the perfect solution to your home.
Stile and rail: Vertical and horizontal members which are used to hold the glass in the frame of a window or door.
Frames
Frames are essential to the appearance of windows, whether you have a period cottage or a brand-new construction. The ideal frame material is crucial for your home because it will affect how your window performs, lasts and the value it will bring.
There are a variety of kinds of frames to pick from: uPVC, aluminium and timber. uPVC is the most popular choice because of its low-maintenance and energy-efficient properties. It comes in a variety of colours and is coated with a wood effect for a more traditional look. It is durable and requires no maintenance, other than cleaning. If you live in a place which is exposed to extreme weather conditions, uPVC might not be the best option.
Aluminium is a great material for frames since it is light and robust. It also is sleek and modern in design that is perfect for contemporary homes. It is light and can be finished with any RAL color to match your building. It is not as efficient as uPVC but it is a great option if you want a more eco-friendly option.
Steel is an excellent option for older buildings since it can be powder coated to match the color of your stonework or bricks. The problem with the traditional thin steel frames is that because they're not thermally insulated, they can not shield cold. The 21st century has finally caught up and it's now possible to get a simple steel frame that offers an impressive thermal break performance.
Timber is a stunning material for any kind of home, however its cost is more expensive than other materials. It is a beautiful material and, if properly taken care of it will last for a long time. It is important to use an appropriate grade of hardwood for your frames as not all woods are created to be the same. A poor quality timber could cause premature degradation, as well as moisture intrusion and rot that can cause damage to your window sashes and cills.
Sashes
Sash windows are a feature which can be found in many a period property. They are easily identifiable and elegantly stylish, with a stunning timeless style that has stood the test of time. There are numerous benefits to choosing sash windows for your home, and they have been getting more popular in recent years due to their aesthetic and practical qualities.
A Sash window is a horizontally sliding window that has two glazed panels which can be opened for ventilation, viewing out, and so on. The pulley system that is hidden in the frame allows for the opening and closing of sliding windows. These pulleys rarely break and the fact that they are a part of the window makes fixing them is simple and inexpensive.
During the Georgian period, sash windows began to become more common, as they let in more light into the narrow streets and cottages. Sash windows were made with their glass panes evenly split to make them more affordable. The technology was not yet sophisticated enough to allow for larger panes of glass to be made reliably.
There are now many different kinds of sash windows that are available however the traditional box sash is one of the most well-liked options. These windows are perfect for those who want to keep the appearance and feel of a period home, but also want modern features like draught-seals or security locks.
Sash windows can be either double or single-hung depending on the design and frame. A single-hung sash can open the bottom panel by sliding it upwards. A double-hung sash opens both the bottom and top panels by sliding them horizontally across one another.
There are other distinctions between the two kinds of sash windows, and you should discuss the matter with a window expert before deciding which option is the best for you. Sash windows, for example, can be equipped with a variety of hardware, such as sash chains or sash lifts that allow windows to operate while they are open. A sash window may also be fitted with a staff bead, which helps keep the windows in their position and prevents them from being pushed out of alignment by winds or draughts.
Cills
Cills can be easily repaired by carefully removing decayed wood and then putting in new. These should be shaped to ensure maximum strength, while also preserving as much of the historic fabric as is feasible. A drip should also be incorporated to direct water away from the bottom of the window.
Oak was only used for the most prestigious homes or the first examples. It is important to choose cills that are new from this material, and to thoroughly prime, paint and then add drip.
Resin-based fillers that are mixed with wood dust or timber consolidant can be used to repair small areas of damage and loss. This is a cost-effective method to maximize the amount of historical fabric that is left in a repair. This method can also be very successful in making good sash frames that have been damaged, if the damage has occurred as due to poor maintenance.
Glass
Glass is usually the most important part of a door or window. Whether clear or tinted it can enhance the architectural value of the building and help to save energy through solar radiation control. Tempered glass has been treated to withstand higher forces than normal glass on its surface. It breaks into smaller pieces, rather than splintering, and reduces the risk from flying shards.
It is essential to ensure that historic glass remains in place and protect it from harm. The windows of the past may have crown glass (a kind of flat glass with air bubbles or curving ridging) or cylinder glass that gives depth and character to a facade. Original pieces of both types are extremely rare and valuable. They must be secured whenever feasible. Glass must be protected against paint strippers and chemical paint removers that could cause it to break or crack. The wood frames must be repaired and putty reapplied.
Resin-based repair products are able to get rid of loose paint and rust without harming the surface finish or the profile of the wood. These can also be used for the repair of many other minor issues, including decay or rot, structural movements distortion, deformation, and distortion.
Sash windows - A kind of fixed window in which the sash can be opened or shut on pivots at either side or at top and bottom. This kind of window is typically more attractive than operable windows and typically has transom.
Casement windows - A kind of window that can swing open or shut on hinges at the sides or on a mullion that is between them. This kind of window is typically located in older houses and is often combined with a fixed panel or wing to create a Bay Window.
window fitters london divided-lites - A grille or grid that looks like it has separate panes, separated by muntins but is actually made up of larger lites with muntins between them. This gives the appearance of smaller window units.