Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Sash Windows Might Add A Timeless And Beautiful Element To A New Home

By Angela Colwell


Some interior design visions encompass the modern, while others embrace traditional. All across the spectrum of tastes, there is a need for windows in most buildings to provide natural light to the interior and a pleasant face to the exterior. Sash windows have been used for a long time to accomplish both goals.

A seventeenth century inventor and architect presented the world with sash window technology. There is little surprise that this type will be found in all manner of buildings, both public and private. The most common type of sash window is one that has divided panes of glass, set in a frame that was historically wooden. Refinements have been made in both materials and operations.

The inventor designed the panels to stay up through a pulley system with weights, built into the frame itself. The pulley and weights are not visible. Some problems with operating these windows have to do with the wood swelling or rotting. Painting or staining the wood can protect from rot, but care should be taken not to paint grooves or joints. Additionally, the weights and cords in the window may deteriorate and become disconnected from each other, so that the window wouldn't stay open from the bottom panel without a prop.

In addition to the architectural interest of the separate panes, the benefits are numbered as smaller glass to replace in case of breakage and the operational efficiency of opening the windows. The runners and grooves on the side allow both top and bottom panels to slide toward the middle, which creates a ventilation system. This is a nice convenience during warm weather that allows a cool breeze to enter and the warmth to circulate out.

Modern updates for historical homes must stick with the same design to remain accurate. New wooden sash windows can be installed in these cases, with complete compliance. Higher end properties, those that want the aesthetic appeal of many older homes, may choose to have these wooden types included in the design.

Several different architectural styles have traditionally used the many paned type. The number of panes, or lights, can greatly change the look of the home. Adding taller or more windows to the plans could enhance the exterior, while providing a nice source of natural light for the interior spaces.

A lot of homeowners are repairing and replacing features, instead of building new homes. The wooden sash windows can be added in place of the existing ones to create a new look for the house. The added interest may also add value, as other homeowners and buyers are looking for these upgrades. Both options are a good way to enjoy the new perspective of a timeless design.

Whether the purchaser of sash windows wants to achieve a new look, upgrade when replacing damaged ones, create a certain design architecturally, or remain true to an historical property's roots, using wooden sash windows during this construction phase could make the vision a reality. Wooden windows are more costly than the metal or plastic used in bulk building supplies from modern construction. However, the design has lasted for 300 years, so there is a long time precedent for their use.




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