Give Your Home a First Impression With Quality Windows and Doors From London Window and Door
Make sure your home gets a great first impression that lasts with the highest quality windows and doors from London window and door. Visit our showrooms in Dorchester, Woodstock Ingersoll, and St Marys for the perfect solution for your home.
Stile and rail: Horizontal and vertical members which are used to hold the glass in frames for windows or doors.
Frames
Frames are essential to the appearance of windows regardless of whether you have an old cottage or a brand new construction. Choosing the right frame material for your house is essential because it has a direct impact on how well your window will perform, how long it lasts and ultimately how much your home is worth.
There are three kinds of frames including uPVC (also called polyvinyl chloride) as well as aluminium and wood. The most well-known choice is uPVC because of its low maintenance and energy efficiency. It comes in a variety of colors and comes with a wood effect finish for a more classic look. It is extremely durable and requires little maintenance, aside from cleaning. If you live in an area that is subject to extreme weather, uPVC may not be the best option.
Aluminium is a great material for frames since it is strong and durable. It also has a a sleek design that is ideal for modern properties. It is also light and can be painted in any RAL colour for the perfect fit to your home. double glazing in london is not as efficient as uPVC however it is a good alternative if you're looking for greener options.
Steel is a fantastic choice for older buildings, because it can be powder-coated to match your bricks or stones. The issue with the conventional slim steel frames is that they are not thermally broken, so they do not really protect you from the cold. Fortunately, technology of the 21st century has caught up with this and it's now possible to have a minimal steel frame that has impressive thermal break performance.
Timber is a gorgeous material for any type home, however its cost is more expensive than other materials. It does, however, provide the best aesthetics and if cared for correctly, it will last for a lifetime. You should use a hardwood that is suitable for your frames, as different woods do not have the same characteristics. A poor quality timber could cause premature degradation and moisture intrusion and rot, which can cause damage to the window sashes or cills.
Sashes
Many homes of the past have sash windows. Sash windows are easily recognizable and stylish. They are a stunning, timeless style that has stood the years. There are many advantages to sash windows for your home, and they've been getting more popular throughout the years due to their aesthetic and practical benefits.
A Sash is a vertically sliding two-paned window. It can be opened for ventilation or viewing out. The system of pulleys hidden in the frame allows for the opening and closing of sliding windows. These pulleys rarely break and the fact that they are part of the window means that fixing them is easy and affordable.
During the Georgian period, sash windows became more popular, since they let in more light into narrow streets and cottages. The glass panes of sash windows were often equally divided to reduce their cost, since the technology had not yet reached the point where larger panes could be manufactured in a reliable fashion.
There are a variety of sash windows that are available however the classic box sash is among the most popular. These windows are perfect for those who wish to preserve the look and feel the traditional home but also want modern conveniences like draught-seals or security locks.
Sash windows can be either single or double hung according to the design and frame. A single-hung sash is opened to the bottom panel by sliding it upwards. Double-hung sash can open both the bottom and top panels by sliding them horizontally across one another.
You should speak with an expert in window design to determine which type of sash window is suitable for you. Sash windows, for instance, can be fitted with a variety of different equipment, like Sash lifts or sash chains which allow the windows to be operated when they are opened. A sash is able to be equipped with a staff bar, which keeps the sash in place and stops them from being pushed by wind or draughts.
Cills
Cills can be easily fixed by carefully removing decayed wood and re-inserting new timber. The shape of the window should be made to ensure maximum strength while retaining as much historic fabric as possible. A drip is required to divert water away from the windows' bottom.
Historically, sash windows were constructed from slow grown deal (pine) and oak, with the latter being used only in prestigious homes and early examples of the style. It is important to use new cills made from this material, and also to thoroughly prime, paint and add drip.
Resin-based fillers containing wood dust or timber consolidant may be used to repair small areas of damage and loss. This is a cost-effective approach to maximise the amount of historical fabric that is left in the repair. This method can be extremely effective in creating excellent frames for damaged sash where the damage is due to poor maintenance.
Glass
The glass is often the most significant component of a window or door. It can be clear or tinted and can add to the architectural value of the structure. It also can provide significant energy savings by decreasing solar radiation. Tempered glass is treated to withstand greater forces than the normal glass surface. It breaks into small pieces rather than breaking into splinters and also reduces the risk of flying fragments.
Historic glass should always be kept in place during repairs and great care must be taken to protect it from damage caused by accident. Sash windows from the past could contain crown glass (a kind of flat glass that has air bubbles or curving ridging) or cylinder glass that gives depth and character to the facade. Both types are rarely manufactured so original pieces are highly valuable and should be retained in situ as often as possible. Glass must be protected against paint strippers and chemical paint removers that could cause it to break or crack. The putty on wooden frames must be replaced and repaired with care.
Resin-based repair products can be used to remove paint that has been loosened and rust without damaging the surface finish or the profile of the wood. These products can be used to repair a variety of minor problems that include rot, decay and structural movement.
Sash windows - a type of fixed window where the sash can be opened or shut on pivots at either side or at the top and bottom. This type of window is generally more attractive than operable windows and typically has an opening.
Casement windows are a type of window that can swing open or shut by hinges at the sides, or with a mullion in between them. This type of window is usually found on older houses and can be paired with fixed wings or panels to create bay windows.
Simulated divided lites A grille or grid design that appears to have distinct glass panes separated by muntins, however it actually uses larger lites of glass with the muntins arranged between them to create the appearance of several smaller window units.