Sash Renovations and Draught Proofing

What is a Sash and Case Window?

A sash and case window or double hung sash and case window is made with two panels, or “sashes”, that form moving frames which hold one or more panes of glass, these are often separated into multiple panes (or “lights”) by moulded vertical or horizontal timbers called astragals.

Although any window with this style of glazing is technically a sash, the term is used almost exclusively to refer to windows where the glazed panels are opened by sliding vertically, or less commonly horizontally in a style known as a “Yorkshire sash and case”

The History of Sash Windows

The oldest surviving examples of sash windows were installed in England in the 1670s so they have been in use for more than 300 years, these were not counterbalanced and employed a wooden peg (dog) to hold the sash in the open position. The invention of the sash window is sometimes credited to an English Architect called Robert Hooke who died in 1703. He was a surveyor to the City of London and chief assistant to Christopher Wren.

The sash window is often found in Georgian and Victorian houses, and the classic arrangement has three panes across by two up on each of the two sashes, giving a six over six panel window, although this is by no means a fixed rule. Innumerable late Victorian and Edwardian Suburban houses were built in Scotland using standard sash window units approximately 4 feet (1.2 m) in width, but older, bay window or rural hand-made windows could be of any size.

What We Do For Our Customers

Our Sash and Case renovation and draught proofing service has been continually developed and refined over the last 30 years resulting in what must be the most complete solution while still encompassing traditional conservation repair techniques together with perfectly duplicated replacement parts we manufacture in our own workshops so they exactly match the original design. All our renovations and repairs are carried out with hand selected timber not fancy resins, fillers or plastic. This is craftsmanship not smoke and fillers.

We never use brush draughtproofing, think of it as a paint brush you use but don’t clean, it is marvellous until the windows are painted but alas loses its effectiveness when the paint dries on those tiny bristles. Our seals are manufactured by world leader Schlegel and are both paint resistant and bristle free.

Our system has been utilised everywhere from small cottages to country houses, it is incorporated in the training equipment used by Historic Environment Scotland and actually works exceptionally well. Combine our renovation and draught proofing with either slim double glazing from our British Standards approved supplier or take advantage of Fineo our ultra-insulating vacuum glazing for incredibly thermally efficient windows.

We can restore almost every window, even the ones that apparently similar companies would shy away from. If however a new window is required we will manufacture an exact copy of your original window, period correct to the finest of details but draught free and thermally efficient.

We never use fitters, installers or surveyors, your windows will be initially inspected by a time served fully qualified and experienced craftsman, the work to your windows either within our modern workshops or within your home or business will only be carried out by fully qualified time served craftsmen. Our free quotations are supplied on a fixed price basis so no sharp intakes of breath with us, just honest dependable tradesmen.