Sash Windows Company - Worthing | Crawley | Lewes | Eastbourne

FAQ’s Sash Windows – Answers for questions on sash windows .

Question; what are the options for my old sash windows?

Answer; dependent on the condition of the windows and also the status of the property i.e. listed, conservation area or no restrictions. Control Sash Windows have 4 options available. As far as planning is concerned the rules are as follows:

1. Basic servicing of a sash window:

 Servicing of a sash window is the cheapest option. Generally replacing broken sash cords or repairing rotten timber is the norm. The cost of this is a callout fee and maybe some additional cost for repairs. The average job is around £100.

2. Draft proofing existing sash windows without double glazing:

 The sash window (Also casement windows) if in a retainable condition can be renovated with a draft proofing system fitted. This brings them up to a functional standard. This greatly improves their function at the same time the draft proofing reduces noise penetration and enables you to have a greatly improved control of heat in the room. Without draft proofing the sash window has gaps built in to let the windows slide up and down. Also in days gone by open fires needed to draw in the drafts through the window to fuel the fire. Shutters& big curtains were the old age insulation.

 Draw backs to this option are that the draft proofing without double glazing will increase condensation especially in bedrooms where occupiers sleep. This can cause mould to develop on the sashes and on the wall underneath the window. The draft proofing alone is no substitute for draft proofing with double glazing, although it is a lot cheaper roughly a third of the cost of installing new double glazed sashes. Draft proofing is sometimes sold as ‘bringing your windows up to a modern standard’ which is not quite true. However the draft proofing is very effective, the pro’s far out way the cons of not having this system installed.

 The draft proofing system is pretty much universal throughout the industry; however it is sold as ‘unique to them’ and ‘especially design by us’ by various companies. The difference between the companies is how the system is fitted and the preparation and finish of the windows. There are good carpenters and bad carpenters! All of our craftsmen are trained properly and do not work on price, so there only incentive is to do a very good job and to get Control Sash Windows more recommendations. We also manufacturer all of our own draft proofing beads, using them ourselves and selling them from our shop to carpenters and sash window fitters alike. We are the professionals. See our reviews with Checkatrade.

3. Draft proofing with new double glazed sashes fitted:

 Installing new sashes with high performance double glazed units will bring your old windows up to the latest standards. The government has implicated stringent laws on heat retention in windows as this is where most heat loss occurs in older properties. There is no comparison at all with single glazed windows and double glazed windows.

 The sash window is made up of three main sections. The two sashes which slide up and down and the box frame in which they are fitted. If the box frame is in good condition we can replace the sashes only, leaving the frame and mouldings intact. This option is roughly between a third & half of the cost of replacing the whole box sash window. Even if you have a period property with uPVC windows fitted, it is likely the boxes are still there thus saving on complete new windows.

 Having the correct glass type is extremely important when installing double glazing. As with any product there are cheap options and there are the more expensive options. We use the same glass types in our replacement sashes as we do in our complete new box sash windows as dictated to by law and monitored in our case by FENSA. A cheap window quote will no doubt mean cheap glass. Control Sash Windows are very successful in our market and use our buying power to enable us to only use the market leader glass types in our windows using ‘low e’ argon gas filled double glazed units as standard. Please see our double glazed sash windows page for more details.

 Planning rules even apply when you’re changing only part of your window such as the sashes. So please be aware of this if you live in a conservation area or listed building. Also if you live in a shared block such as a flat planning is an issue, you will need freehold approval and planning consent in some circumstances. It’s easily dealt with by us and is a technicality rather than a headache.

Please click here for more details on Planning

4. Completely new box sash windows:

 This option will give you the ultimate in performance and aesthetic enjoyment. The overall bonus with replacing every part of your box sash window in comparison to only replacing the sashes and retaining is performance and quality. Having new box frames enables us to control the sash thickness /stock size. Basically when upgrading the sashes only we are governed by the existing stock size of the sash which on average is 40mm. New box sash windows that make dependant on orders and planning restrictions have an average stock size of 55mmm. This enables a far bigger gap between the two panes of glass or in some cases triple glazing in busy roads. As a rule the bigger the gap between the two panes of glass the better the noise reductive properties and heat retention is increased. Also our new boxes are made with draft proofing in mind with no warping of the timber which occurs in hundred year old timber windows.

 The down side to this is the cost and the mess replacing the boxes cause. Replacing complete box sash windows is a building project and is a lot more involved then whipping in a flimsy uPVC window which is mastic ked in place with bits of plastic trim. Sash windows are part of the fabric of the building; the average installation takes three days to complete including architraves and mouldings. At no time are you left overnight without windows.

General questions that our surveyors are asked:

Planning rules briefly:

 Draft proofing is normally allowed even in grade I listed properties

 Double glazed sash windows, sashes or complete new boxes are allowed in listed buildings (only Grade II) subject to local approval and strict criteria’s. We have done this successfully on some but not all occasions. Conservation areas; is normally only a formality, however this depends on local approval and the type of windows you are trying to fit. All planning applications /listed building approvals are dependent on the authenticity of the replacement window. Please click HERE for planning & building regulation details

Q. Are you a FENSA registered contractor?

A.We are the only specialist traditional timber window contractor in the area whom is FENSA registered.

Q.How do we know that you are a reputable company? Who won’t disappear if anything goes wrong once you have been paid?

A.Peace of mind is crucial when spending hundreds or even thousands of pounds on your property. We are not just an advert in the paper working from a residential address or mail box; we have our own showroom and office. Also we have on-going jobs with real clients that you can talk to.

Q.Does your works come with a guarantee?

A. All of our work comes with a standard 5 year company backed guarantee. We can offer a 10 year insurance backed guarantee on complete replacements.

Q. Am I committing myself to anything if I ask you to do a survey?

A. As part of our service, advice & surveys are totally free & without obligation.

Q. When are you available to come and give me a FREE survey / estimate?

A. We can arrange to come to your property at a mutually convenient time. We are aware that most of our potential clients have work commitments in the day so to accommodate your schedule we can arrange out of hours appointments i.e. evenings and weekends. Or if you would just like an informal chat with some guide prices or to see some brochures please feel free to pop in and see us at your convenience or alternatively give us a call.

Your quotation will be emailed to you with in a couple of days of the survey.

Q. I am at work all day and can’t really take time off. Do you work weekends?

A. If necessary this can be arranged but normally we can do the work in your absence. As we work in private houses all of the time, our employees have to be very, very trust worthy.

Q. What is your average lead time for works to commence?

A. We can normally start works with two to three weeks if new joinery (Windows) is not required. If new windows are required this can usually take between 4 -6 weeks due to the back log in our workshop. However if it an emergency where the window has totally failed and dropped out we can fast track the job and have a new window made in a couple of days.

Q. The Weatherseal draft proofing system, is it ugly, will it be noticeable. I like the character of my sash windows. I don’t want any alterations on my listed property. (Windows)

A. Our Weatherseal system is hidden in the working sides of your window, only noticeable when the window is taken apart. The seals are installed into the staff bead and the parting bead. Our beads are made out of wood and look exactly the same as the ones already in your window. Our competitors in London use an inferior PVC bead which is unacceptable in traditional sash windows as it cannot be effectively painted.

Q. My windows have not been serviced for a long time, all the ropes are snapped and they do not open. Is this going to cost more?

A. As a matter of course we replace all ropes and remove the windows to service them. Whether they are painted shut or not, the cost will depend only on the size of the window.

Q. Will there be a lot of mess& how long will it take to install the weatherseal system?

A. On average a carpenter can install the Weatherseal system into 1-2 windows a day. (1 window consists of 2 sashes) We are very tidy, always use dust sheets and come complete with a vacuum cleaner.

Q. Can I have my existing sash windows double glazed?

A. The answer is yes. Only if you have new sashes made keeping your original frames pulleys etc. Single glazed sashes are not designed to take the extra weight of the double glazed unit.

Q. Are double glazed sash windows chunky and ugly?

A. Our double glazed sash windows are made to blend in with original sash windows, hence the fact we fit them in conservation areas.

Q. Do you do simple maintenance i.e. just replace a broken rope?

A. Yes whether it a broken rope or replace 180 sash windows as we have recently we cater for every job.

Q. How do I know the Weatherseal system works and that you have completed work successfully? Do you have references?

A. We can go one better. We can show you a completed job where you can judge for yourself the quality of our work. Also we have examples on show at The Sash Window Shop in Hove, our office and showroom.

Contact us now for some advice or a FREE no obligation survey