Sash Windows For Your Stylish Living Quarters
Sash windows are beautifully decorative windows that are made from movable panels or frames that have glass insets and can be opened horizontally or vertically. The weights used for moving the panels are concealed in a box called a Yorkshire light and the first dateable reference of this type of window can be found in the 1658 painting of The Milkmaid, by the Dutch artist Vermeer.
The earliest examples of sash windows can be found in an old English home called Ham House, which dates back to the year 1670. A traditional sash window is made up of three panes set horizontally and two panes set vertically on two separate panels, creating a classic rectangular shaped window. Over the years other configurations have become acceptable as well.
In early Victorian and Georgian homes the standard size for a sash window measured four feet across. These windows opened vertically, with a runner inset into the wooden frame, which concealed a set of weights and springs to make the opening and closing of this window easier.
Metal weatherstripping was added to ensure that the window remained in its frame regardless of external weather conditions. The inserted weight was constructed of lead or steel and was perfectly balanced for easy raising and closing of any sliding sash frame. Two types of sash frames came into existence.
The first was the double hung sash, meaning that both frames could be moved into the open or closed position. The single hung sash frame had one part of its frame permanently anchored while the other was capable of opening or closing. The double hung version is ideal for encouraging good air flow.
Traditionally the frames are manufactured from soft wood and the panels can be either single or double glazed. These types of frames are quite high maintenance, as they will need regular painting to prevent wood rot or warping of your wood. Over time, shrinkage can cause the panes to rattle in the wind and poorly applied paint can cause problems with the smooth opening of the window.
With careful maintenance and proper treatment of the wood, these windows look beautiful and add to the value and aesthetic appeal of your home. They are extremely efficient at cooling the interior of any room on a sweltering summers day as positioning the windows so that there is a gap both top and bottom means even air movement. The hot air can escape through the top window while cooler air enters through the gap in the bottom window.
Sash windows are windows that are beautifully designed. If you’re interested, you need to look into the sash window company. Sash window restoration London will help you with your window restoration needs.
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