Give Your Home a First Impression With Quality Windows and Doors From London Window and Door
Give your home a first impression that will last with the highest quality windows and doors from london windows and doors. Visit our showrooms in Dorchester, Woodstock Ingersoll, and St Marys for the perfect solution to your home.
Stile and rail are vertical and horizontal members that hold glass in a window or door frame.
Frames
Frames are crucial to the appearance of windows, whether you have a classic cottage or a new build. The right frame material for your house is essential since it has an immediate impact on how well your window functions and how long it will last and ultimately the value of your home. worth.
There are three types of frames that are available: UPVC (also known as polyvinyl chloride), aluminium, and wood. uPVC is the most sought-after choice due to its low-maintenance, energy-efficient properties. It comes in a range of colours and is available with wood effect finishes for an elegant look. It's also tough against the elements and requires minimal maintenance, other than cleaning. However If you live in an exposed location uPVC might not be the best choice as it can degrade over time, especially in extreme weather.
Aluminium is a good alternative for frames because it is strong and durable. It also has a sleek designs that are ideal for modern properties. It is lightweight and can be finished in any RAL color that matches the design of your house. It's not as efficient as uPVC however it is a good alternative if you are looking for a more eco-friendly option.
Steel is a great choice for older buildings as it can be powder coated to match the color of your stonework or bricks. The issue with traditional steel frames is that because they're not thermally insulated, they can not shield cold. Fortunately, technology in the 21st century has caught up with this and now it is possible to get a slim steel frame that has impressive thermal break performance.
Timber is a beautiful material for any kind of home, however its cost is more expensive than other materials. It does, however, offer one of the best aesthetics and if cared for properly will last a lifetime. It is recommended to choose a hardwood that is rated appropriately for your frames, since not all woods possess the same qualities. Poor quality timber can cause premature degradation, as well as moisture intrusion and rot that could cause damage to your window sashes and cills.
Sashes
Many of the older homes have Sash windows. They are distinctive and elegantly elegant, with a gorgeous timeless design that has stood the test of time. Sash windows are a great choice for homes with a variety of benefits and are gaining popularity due to their aesthetics and practicality.
A Sash window is a horizontally sliding window that has two glass panels which can be opened for ventilation, viewing out, and other purposes. The opening and closing of sash windows is supported by a system of pulleys, which are hidden in the window frame itself. They aren't likely to break, and the fact that they are part of the window means that fixing them is easy and cost-effective.
During the Georgian period, sash windows became more popular because they allowed more light to narrow streets and cottages. These windows had their glass panes split evenly in order to make them more affordable. The technology was not yet advanced enough to allow for larger panes to be produced consistently.
There are many kinds of sash windows available however the classic box sash is one of the most popular. These windows are perfect for those who wish to maintain the style and feel of a period home, but also want modern conveniences such as draught-seals, security locks and draught seals.
Sash windows are either double-hung or single-hung based on the frame and design. A single-hung sash opens the bottom panel by sliding it up. A double-hung sash is able to open both the bottom and top panels by sliding them horizontally across another.
window fitters london should consult an expert in window design to determine what kind of sash window is suitable for you. For example, sash windows can be fitted with a range of hardware, like sash lifts and sash chains which allow you to operate the windows when they are opened. A sash window can also be equipped with a staff bead, which helps to keep windows in position and prevents them from being pulled out of alignment by wind or draughts.
Cills
Cills can be repaired by carefully removing rotten wood and re-inserting new timber. These should be shaped so that they maximize strength while retaining the historic fabric to the maximum extent that is possible. A drip should be added to direct water away the window's bottom.
The majority of sash windows in the past were constructed from slow grown deal (pine), with oak only used in the more expensive homes and early examples of the genre. It is therefore important that new cills are procured from this material, and then primed, painted and then incorporated with a drip.
Resin-based fillers containing wood dust or timber consolidant may be used to repair small areas of damage or loss. This is an effective way of maximising the amount of fabric retained in a repair. This method can be very successful in making good damaged sash frames where the damage occurred as a result of poor maintenance.
Glass
Often the most important element of a door or window is the glass. It can be tinted or clear it can enhance the architectural significance of the building and offer significant energy savings due to solar radiation control. Tempered glass has been treated to withstand higher forces than the normal glass surface. It breaks into small pieces instead of splintering and minimizes the risk of flying fragments.
It is essential to keep historic glass in place and protect it from harm. Historic sash windows may contain crown glass (a type of flat glass with air bubbles or curving ridging) or cylinder glass, which gives depth and character to the facade. Original pieces of both kinds are rare and highly valuable. They should be kept in place whenever possible. The glass must be protected from the effects of paint strippers or chemical paint removers which can cause it to crack and break. The putty that is used on wooden frames must be repaired and putty reapplied.
Resin-based repair products are able to get rid of loose paint and rust without damaging the surface finish or the profile of the wood. These products can be used to correct a variety of minor problems such as 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 has a more decorative appearance than operable sash and is typically coupled with a transom.
Casement windows open and close using hinges on the sides or a mullion in between. This kind of window is usually seen on older homes and is often paired with fixed wings or panels to create bay windows.
Simulated divided lites - A grid or grille pattern that appears to be distinct glass panes separated by muntins, however it actually makes use of larger lites of glass with the muntins arranged between them to create the appearance of several smaller window units.