Give Your Home a First Impression With Quality Windows and Doors From London Window and Door
Make sure your home gets a great first impression that will last with the best quality windows and doors from london window and door. Visit our showrooms in Dorchester, Woodstock, Ingersoll and St Marys to find the perfect solution for your home.
Stile and rail: Horizontal and vertical members which support the glass within a door or window frame.
Frames
If you own a period home or a contemporary new construction frames are essential to the appearance of your windows. The right frame material is essential for your home as it can affect the performance of your window, how long it lasts and how much it is worth.
There are three types of frames that are available: uPVC (also called polyvinyl chloride) aluminum, uPVC, and wood. The most popular choice is uPVC because of its low maintenance and energy efficiency. It is available in a variety of colours and is available with wood effect finishes for more traditional appearance. upvc windows in london is durable and requires no maintenance, aside from cleaning. However should you reside in an exposed location uPVC might not be the best option because it is susceptible to degrading over time in extreme weather.
Aluminium is a great material for frames because it is durable and has sleek designs that are perfect for modern homes. It is light and can be finished in any color of RAL to match the style of your home. It's not as efficient as uPVC however it is a good alternative if you are seeking a more sustainable friendly option.
Steel is a fantastic choice for older buildings, as it can be powder-coated to match bricks or stones. However, the issue with traditional slim steel frames is that they're not thermally broken, so they aren't able to withstand the cold. The 21st century has caught up to this and it's now possible to have a sleek steel frame that has impressive thermal break performance.
Timber is a gorgeous material for any kind of home, however its cost is more expensive than other materials. It is a stunning material and, if properly taken care of, will last a lifetime. It is essential to select an appropriately rated hardwood for your frames as not all woods are created in the same way. A poor quality wood can lead to premature degradation and also rot and moisture intrusion that can cause damage to your window sashes or cills.
Sashes
Many homes of the past have Sash windows. They are easily identifiable and effortlessly elegant, with a gorgeous timeless style that has stood the test of time. There are many advantages to choosing sash windows for your home, and they've become increasingly popular over the years due to their aesthetic and practical benefits.
A sash is a vertically sliding, two-paned window. It can be opened to allow for ventilation or to allow views out. The opening and closing of sash windows are supported by a set of pulleys that are concealed within the window frame itself. These pulleys are very durable and because they are integrated within the window frame, they can be easily and cheaply repaired.
In the Georgian period, sash windows became more popular because they allowed more light into narrow streets and cottages. Sash windows were made with their glass panes evenly split to make them more affordable. The technology was not yet sophisticated enough to allow for larger panes of glass to be made consistently.
Nowadays, there are several different kinds of sash windows available, however the traditional box sash is still one of the most popular options. These windows are perfect for those who wish to keep the appearance and feel of a period home, but also want modern conveniences such as draught-seals, security locks and draught seals.
Sash windows can be either double or single-hung according to the design and frame. A single-hung sash can open the bottom panel by sliding it up. Double-hung sash can open both the bottom and top panels by sliding them horizontally across another.
You should consult an expert in window design to determine which type of sash window is best for you. For instance Sash windows can be fitted with a range of hardware, such as sash lifts and sash chains which allow you to operate the windows when they are open. A sash window can be also fitted with a staff bead, which helps keep the windows in their place and prevent them from being pushed out of alignment by winds or draughts.
Cills
Cills can be easily fixed by carefully removing rotten wood and inserting new timber. The shape of the window should be made to maximize strength while retaining as much historic fabric as possible. A drip should be included to channel water away from the bottom of the window.
Historically most sash windows were constructed from slow grown deal (pine) and oak, with the latter being used only in prestigious homes and early examples of the genre. It is therefore important that new cills are sourced from this wood and then painted, primed and then incorporated with drip.
Small areas of loss and deterioration can be repaired with resin-based fillers that are mixed with a wood dust or a timber consolidant. This is a cost-effective approach to maximize the amount of historic fabric that remains in the repair. This method can also be very effective in constructing excellent frames for damaged sash where the damage is the result of poor maintenance.
Glass
The most significant element of a window or door is the glass. It can be tinted or clear, it can add to the architectural value of the structure and can provide significant energy savings through solar radiation control. Tempered glass is specifically treated to withstand higher than normal forces that impact its surface. it breaks into smaller pieces instead of splintering and minimizes the risk of flying fragments.
It is essential to keep historic glass in place and to protect it from harm. Historic sash window may contain crown (a flat glass with curved ridging and air bubbles) or cylinder glass, which gives character and depth to the facade. Both types aren't made in a factory, therefore original pieces are extremely valuable and should be kept in-situ whenever possible. Glass should be protected from paint strippers and chemical paint removers which could cause it to break or crack. The wood frames should be repaired and reapplied.
Resin-based repair products can be used to remove paint that has been loosened and rust without harming the finish or profile of the wood. These products can be used to fix many minor issues, including decay, rot and structural movement.
Sash windows - A type of fixed window where the sash slides open or closes on pivots either side or at the top and bottom. This type of window is characterized by a an attractive appearance compared to operable sash and is often associated with transom.
Casement windows are windows that can be opened and closed using hinges either on the sides or a mullion in between. This kind of window can be found in older homes, and is often paired with a fixed panel or wing to create a Bay Window.
Simulated divided lites A grille or grid design that appears to have distinct glass panes separated by muntins. However, it actually uses larger glass lites with the muntins placed between them to give the appearance of multiple smaller window units.