Friday, December 21, 2012

Sash Windows May Add A Timeless Accent To Any Home

By Chris Caldwell


Home design can be a very personal thing. Not everyone has the same idea of what is beautiful, nor do they have the same tastes in what is comfortable. There are enduring ideas, such as sash windows, that have come down through the years, with modern conveniences and improvements. Yet, the basic construction and appearance of them remain the same.

A seventeenth century inventor and architect presented the world with sash window technology. There is little surprise that this type will be found in all manner of buildings, both public and private. The most common type of sash window is one that has divided panes of glass, set in a frame that was historically wooden. Refinements have been made in both materials and operations.

Specifically, the wooden windows are made with a weight and pulley system built in to the frame. These weights and cords can't be seen, but provide the counterweight to the sash and glass to allow them to be opened and kept in place. The panel runs up the groove in the side of the frame, from either both the top and bottom or just the bottom if the top pane is fixed. There have been problems with wood rot or swelling, as well as cords and weights becoming inoperable.

One of the major improvements for these windows, then and now, is the ventilation capabilities. When the top and bottom panels are both movable, each may be slid toward the middle of the window, to provide openings in top and bottom. The resulting circulation in airflow can cool the inside during warm weather. The hot air flows out the top portion and cooler air flows in through the bottom.

When repairing an historical property or updating for modern comforts, the appearance and character of the building must be maintained. Wooden sash windows have been used for so long that recreation or repair to comply with the requirements could be as easy as finding the right design and construction firm. Interior design for top of the line homes have also come back around to using this wooden style. Because buyers are looking for those upgrades, firms are prepared to meet those needs.

The definition of sash windows means at least two panels that can be moved, set into a frame. There may be many more panes of glass, or lights, in the design. The most common is something called a six over six, where there are 2 rows of 3 over the same. Larger and taller openings call for more lights within that frame, or even more frames. These differences may add architectural interest in new construction and give a nice, bright interior a boost.

Many home improvement projects under consideration could create a high quality look using wooden windows. They can be retrofitted into each opening, as needed, by construction firm. There are many ways to get a new look to an older property using this design technique.

Sash windows have been around for three hundred years. They have been used in homes and public buildings, some of which are now designated historical properties. Wooden window construction firms may be easy to find, as well, because interior designers and architects could specify their inclusion in top end new home construction.




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