In this post, we take you through the different types of sash windows. From traditional to sash for listed buildings, we explain the characteristics to help you decide which is right for your property.
Venetian Sash
Our venetian sash window is a triple sliding box sash window, where the outer two panes are fixed and the centre sash slides open, and feature slender mullions. This style of window was the standard design 100 years ago for terraced houses all over the country. The weights that balance the central sash are located in the outer two boxes, thus allowing a smooth movement and the central mullions between the sections to retain their narrow aesthetic.
This design is available in both the conventional 176mm deep, full box sash as well as our 142mm deep slim sash option, and can also be selected with either metal chains or pre-tensioned cords. All are highly efficient double glazed, installed with effective draught stripping, made from high-quality ironmongery and has fully finished timber as standard.
Traditional Sliding Sash
Invented in the mid 17th century in London, the humble sash window went on to transform British architecture throughout the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian era’s. The elegant proportions and slim sightlines form the most beautiful and efficient window style history has produced. Despite their beauty, sash windows have always been plagued with maintenance problems such as rot, swelling or warping of the woodwork, rattling in the wind due to shrinkage in the timber, and problems brought on by careless application of paint. The sliding mechanism of sash windows makes them more vulnerable to these problems than traditional casement windows.
Our aim was to design a sliding sash window that wouldn’t rot, warp or swell, that would be weather rated to the same standard as our casement window with industry leading insulation values whilst keeping the character and charm that we’ve all come to love about the sash window.
As with all of our windows and doors, our sash windows are manufactured from engineered timber to combat any movement, each opener has 4 full wrap-around seals that are concealed out of sight to stop draughts and rattles. To carry the extra weight of double glazing we use a chain system similar to the method used in some Georgian sash windows, this solves the problem of stretching and snapping of cords. We are able to offer a range of bar sizes down to 18mm to match the most slender of designs.
The acrylic-based microporous paint provides maximum protection whilst letting the wood breath, this means we can offer an insurance backed guarantee covering the paint finish for 8 years. Our slim sash is the thinnest double glazed, traditionally weighted sash window on the market, which means it can replace that of the original perfectly without affecting the internal architrave and decoration.
Hidden Spring Sash
We maintain the traditional sash window appearance with our hidden spring sash windows – reproducing the original chard and character of English sash windows in their form but incorporating double glazed units and using spring balances rather than counterbalance weights.
To ensure that the double glazed sash windows remain true to their traditional style the springs are concealed neatly within the frame. This innovative Hidden Spring™ Sash Window is specifically useful in modern buildings without sufficient rebate to accommodate a full box sash.
Throughout our sash windows, we use modern construction technology to the full, producing frames, glazing bars and meeting rails that are slim yet strong and durable – traditional mouldings are adapted slightly to the differences in construction. Sash windows are no longer draughty or noisy – our attention to every detail has eradicated draughts and rattles through the use of insulating draught stripping, performance glass and double-glazed units.
Sash for Listed properties
Our conservation box sash window features many bespoke options, allowing them to be closely tailored to the individuals requirements of a historic or period building. A wide choice of profiles are available including Georgian, Gothic, Victorian, Queen Anne and Lambs Tongue designs to faithfully replicate a host of period styles.
Double glazing in a range of thicknesses is available as well as single glazed options to satisfy planning requirements for certain listed buildings. Heritage style glasses may also be specified to give an authentic, uneven finish to the panes. We work closely with an ex-listed building officer who advises on the best method of replacing the windows as well as undertaking the Listed building consent (LBC) application form on behalf of the customer. This ensures that we gain permission quickly without fuss at a fraction of the cost of what an architect would charge. We can advise at initial contact whether LBC can be achieved and to what degree.
Bespoke, Just for you
Our sash windows are all made bespoke, which means you can have them pretty much any size and in any configuration. You can choose from 1000’s of colours and a number of stained finishes and can have a different finish inside to outside as well as different coloured openers to the frame. Like all of our products, we offer this range in Softwood, Hardwood and Oak.
As with all of our windows and doors, our sash windows are internally glazed to prevent the glass being removed from outside. Our sash windows are fitted with 2 traditional fitch catches which are key lockable for insurance approval. We can install a limit stop set to any height which allows ventilation in a secure position.
If you would like to know more about our sash windows, get in touch with the team today.
