Maintaining Timber Sash Windows

Sash windows needn’t be high maintenance with our top tips for keeping them looking and working as they should.

If you’re fortunate enough to live in a heritage property, you’ll no doubt benefit from having characterful, period features, that make your home unique. However, living in a heritage property can often mean you spend a great deal of your spare time, particularly in the summer months, maintaining your home both inside and out. It seems there’s a never-ending list of DIY and jobs to be done to keep your home in tip top condition.

One key feature of your home that you’ll want to preserve for as long as possible is your traditional sliding sash windows. From the mechanism, to the paint finish, you’ll want to make sure your windows are maintained to a high standard, preventing jamming and stiffness of the sliding mechanism and preserving the exterior finish to prevent weathering and rot. After all, replacing windows in your home can be a considerable investment, so prolonging the life of your current sash windows makes good financial sense, as well as keeping the exterior of your home looking fantastic!

To keep your sash windows in full working order for many years to come, we recommend opting for quality materials when you replace them. We recommend Accoya as a sustainable and durable timber, offering up to a 60 year lifespan. Accoya can be finished in a variety of colours to suit your tastes and your property and is less susceptible to swelling in different weather conditions, making it perfect for sliding sash windows that need to move freely.

We’d recommend opting for a durable, weather-proof exterior paint such as Teknos. Teknos paint lasts much longer than standard exterior paint, meaning your sash windows will retain their quality look for longer and require less ongoing maintenance for you. Of course, there are certain things you can do to prolong the life of your windows including keeping them free from dirt, moisture and leaves to prevent the buildup of moss on your window frames. Moss can be problematic as it retains water and can eventually cause damage to your paint finish.

To keep your sash windows sliding smoothly, it’s important to take care if you’re repainting your frames. Excess paint can be the main cause of sash windows becoming stiff and difficult to open and close.

Additionally, it’s important to maintain the sliding mechanism. Using a wax or oil, apply to the moving parts of the window frame where it’s likely to rub, keeping your windows moving freely all year round. You don’t want your windows to stick and have to apply too much pressure to open or close them as this could damage the frames and the mechanism.

If the time has come to replace your timber sash windows, it’s the perfect opportunity to seek some expert advice on the best materials to use, the most durable finishes and the overall design of your window frames to ensure longevity. Our team would be happy to show you around our workshop and talk you through the options available to get you the perfect sash windows to complement your home.

Arrange a showroom and workshop visit today by calling 01977 681 832 or emailing us at hello@dhwjoinery.co.uk.

Date: 12 August 2019