Sash windows are a fairly common type of window, especially in older buildings. They have a reputation for being one of the most efficient window types for cooling a building during warmer weather. If the top and bottom of a sash window are opened equally this allows warm air to leave the room through the upper gap while drawing in cooler air through the lower one. But did you ever wonder who invented the sash window and what is its origins?

The English inventor and scientist Robert Hooke is usually acknowledged as the inventor of the sash window. Robert Hooke lived from 1635 to 1703. He was a renowned scientist, inventor and architect in his day. He is remembered for his law of elasticity (also called Hooke’s Law) as well as the surveying work he did in London after the great fire of 1666. He gained a reputation in this time for scrupulous honesty and helped Christopher Wren rebuild the city of London in the period following the fire.

Sash windows are often to be seen in Georgian and Victorian houses, usually in the classic pattern that consists of three panes wide by two high mounted into two sashes. This arrangement is often referred to as a Six Over Six window.

The best knows surviving example of early sash widows is in Ham House. This house belongs to the British National Trust and is located in the town of Ham that lies alongside the Thames river, southwards from Richmond. It was built in 1610 and the sash windows were probably installed in the 1670s.

Another example of the long history and early origins of the sash window is the appearance of a sash window in the painting The Milkmaid by Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. Opinions on how old the painting is differ slightly but it is generally accepted to date from around 1657 or 1658.

In the USA sash windows are often referred to by the term Hung Sash Window. This technically describes a window with two moving sashes in a single frame rather than the type with one moving and one fixed sash but the term has come to be used for both types.

Now you know a little about who invented the sash window and what is its origins. Although not as popular as they once were, this type of window is still used in certain types of buildings because of its classic look and effectiveness in allowing air to move freely.

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One of the easiest and least expensive methods of saving utility expenditures is to learn how to reduce your carbon foot print with sash window draught proofing this winter. This is the green thing to do, thus doing your share to help save the planet. It’s also the smart thing to do because it will put money in your pocket that would have otherwise been wasted.

In addition to these above mentioned benefits, proper window draught proofing will increase the comfort level of your home also. It will keep it warmer in winter and cooler in summer. It will even allow less outside noise to penetrate through the windows and lower the level of dust admitted through the cracks.

Older, wood-framed sash windows, even when newly installed, weren’t the most efficient barriers against the cold coming in. Compared to today’s modern double and triple paned windows filled with inert gas and made from low-E glass there’s no comparison. The thing is, with today’s improved materials and technologies, your older windows can actually be made to be more efficient than they were when originally installed.

If you’ve been toying with the idea of changing out your existing windows in favor of some of the newer high-tech units consider this for a moment. When dealing with older, original wood framed sash windows, replacement should rarely be chosen above refurbishment. The exception to this rule is if the current windows are beyond being properly repaired, which is rare. You should be able to recondition the existing windows to the point that they actually operate better and more efficiently than when they were new!

Draught proofing older windows can often be an easy DIY project. Even if you have to hire out the job, however, the cost is usually very reasonable. Materials needed are also usually quite reasonable to procure and the job can be done fairly quickly as well.

If the window trim is easily removed, the first step is usually to remove this trim and then fill the gaps with non-expanding foam. If the trim is not removable, caulk should be used to seal the trim on both edges.

Add weather strips to moving surfaces. Finally, clean out the old putty holding in the glass panes and put in some new putty. It’ll be easy to reduce your carbon foot print with sash window draught proofing this winter. It’s a great upgrade!

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When debating Hard wood windows or soft wood windows which will last longer and why, it might be helpful to know exactly what the difference is between the two. You might think the names say it all, but this is not necessarily true.

It’s not always easy to understand what these two things are and how they are used. There are some hardwoods that are just as soft (if not softer) than most softwoods and some softwoods that can be harder than some hardwoods. For instance, the balsa tree is a hardwood, but its timber is softer than a lot of softwoods. The yew is a softwood, but its timber is harder than some hardwoods. It’s enough to boggle the brain sometimes.

Usually you can spot softwood trees, just by their colors in the winter. These trees tend to stay green all year long. Pine, cedar, redwood, and fir are a few examples. Because these trees grow so much faster than the hardwoods (that you might see mixed in among the evergreens), they are a popular choice of timber for many people. The soft wood tends to be less expensive and easier to afford than hardwood.

Hardwood may be a bit more expensive, but it makes up for it in durability and strength. Softwood can last a long time too, but it requires much more care and attention to make it last. Hardwood trees, take their time growing. This usually ends making them more dense and strong. Furniture, floors and windows made out of this stuff can last a lifetime without a great deal of care.

Softwood windows are a popular choice, due to the price and availability, but if you truly want something that’s going to last far into the future, you may want to consider going for hardwood. There can be some pretty inexpensive ones to choose from.

Many wood workers, artists and hobbyists use softwood to create their pieces of art. It’s easier to shape and carve intricate designs into, than hardwood. It’s lightweight and easy to work with. However, if you’re looking for wood that’s meant to be tough and hold up under pressure, hardwood would be the wood you want to use.

If you want to know about Hard wood windows or soft wood windows which will last longer and why, the answer is hardwoods will most likely last longer because of their strength and durability. Softwood can be just as beautiful as hardwood, but if you want something with some staying power, choosing hardwood would probably be best.

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If you are interested in this topic you probably are familiar with sash windows. Everyone else may need a brief explanation. There are variations of sash windows, but typically a sash window has two rows of three panes of glass that combine to form a sash. There will be two of the windows (called sashes) that slide vertically or horizontally to open and let in fresh air. Often these windows are old and in need of restoration. This Do-it-yourself, DIY guide to buying tools for a sash window workshop will give lovers of sash windows some tips on how to restore their sash windows.

The London Wooden Window Workshop is almost exclusively devoted to the restoration of sash windows. If you consider yourself and handyman or handy woman, their Website is full of information and resources for completing the job of restoring your windows. Those who appreciate the artistry of the windows will appreciate everything the Website has to offer.

This London Workshop believes in the beauty of the windows and only recommends replacement when it is absolutely necessary. In most instances, restoration is recommended to maintain the integrity of the original windows. Early sash windows might last 100 years or more, while replacements sold by lesser vendors may need repair in just a few years.

These windows have several components, each of which contribute to their proper operation. The glass, the paint, the wood, the cord, and all the hardware components should all be carefully crafted to ensure the best results. The cord is one component that wears with time and may even break. When this happens the windows do not open easily, and putting the repair off can result in more damage. The Wooden Window Workshop can show craftsmen how to replace a broken or worn cord. The Website also sells the materials needed to do the repair.

There are expert Joiners at the London Workshop to advise you on how to restore your windows. They will inspect the windows and evaluate what needs to be done for the restoration. These experts do not think of themselves as salespeople, rather they are people who sell the tools and services necessary to restore these treasured windows.

The wood is a very important part of the integrity of sash windows. Today wood is typically kiln dried, as opposed to decades ago when the wood used was naturally seasoned. The Workshop still uses only naturally seasoned wood when doing its restoration work. Seasoned wood will add years to the life of your windows, and is one of the reasons why windows created centuries ago lasted so many decades.

You may want to use the London Workshop’s DIY Guide to Buying Tools for a Sash Window Workshop to do your own work. If you prefer the expert Joiners at the Workshop can do all the work for you. In either case, the sash window will enhance the beauty of your home and provide an eco-friendly cooling system to enhance the comfort of your home.

You can purchase the supplies and equipment you need for a sash window workshop if you are willing to spend a little effort searching. Renovating your sash windows London area is a task that will make your home look better and stay warmer in winter weather.

Wood- framed windows have been used on buildings for centuries. The main types of wood used for this purpose are either softwood or hardwood. Hardwood comes from trees whose leaves fall off in season. They are not necessarily hard and some are even softer than some softwood types. Softwood on the other hand, never lose their leaves. They are not always soft as the name suggests, as some are known to be much harder than some hardwood types. For the most part, however, hardwood is stronger than softwood. The reasons why Hardwood windows last longer than softwood windows are as follows;

The oil contained in hardwood makes it difficult for it to decay. This is because oil prevents water from entering the wood. Softwoods decay easily when they come into contact with water because they do not have such oils.

Oil-packed hardwood types are most often resistant to insect infestation. Since hardwood has the ability to hold paint, applying a single oil coat is sufficient to protect those that may be attacked by insects. Most softwood frames are easily attacked by insects. They also do not hold paint as well.

Since softwood generally has less density, they do not hold joinery material well. This means that connection points loosen easily. Since these have to be re-tightened over again, the wood easily chips off. Being dense and packed with oil, hardwood dos not chip easily.

Softwood expands and contracts easily because of the effects of the weather and therefore cracks easily. The compact nature of most hardwood types makes them resistant to weather changes.

Softwoods last only a few years if they are not sealed with wood stain. When sealed, they can go for anything from fifteen up to twenty years. Painting softwood can make them decay faster because the paint locks in moisture. Teak is a hardwood type used on window frames. It can go for anything up to forty years if it is not coated with oil. When coated with oil, it can remain in good condition for well over a hundred years. It also does not need to be shielded when temperatures are at their lowest, especially during the winter period.

The cost of softwood can be even five times less than that of hardwood. It is, however, worthwhile to invest in hardwood as they last longer than softwood. They are well able to withstand different weather patterns as opposed to soft wood which is affected by weather changes.

Finding a company to do your sash window renovation London area is quick and easy when you know where to look. A sash window refurbishment will provide you with more efficient energy usage in your home.

Glass is not simply a transparent substance that can break easily. It is not just for eyeglasses and windows either. There are many kinds of glass for many types of applications and made in hundreds of different ways. Let’s take a look at just a few types of glass used in our homes and vehicles today.

Laminated Safety Glass

Safety glass it more than just glass, it combines plastic as well. Alternate layers of flat glass and plastics are made so that if an outer layer of glass breaks, the plastic layer flexes to hold the broken glass together. The most common use of laminated safety glass is in vehicle windshields.

Tempered Safety Glass

The difference between the laminated and tempered safety glass is that tempered is just a single piece of glass. It has been specially heated to make it many times stronger than the laminated version. It is typically used in automobiles, most often in the side and rear windows. It is very hard to break, but even when it does, the piece collapses into small pieces

Flat Glass

For the average person, this is the most common type of glass. It is used in traditional, non-technical windows, mirrors, room dividers and perhaps some types of furniture. Usually it is made in the form of flat sheets, but in the application of vehicle windshields it is reheated and curved over a cast.

Container Glass

Is made by blowing and pressing the combined raw materials. As the name suggests, it is used for the production of glass containers such as bottles, jars and bowls. Container glass is sometimes referred to as soda-lime glass, which references to the ingredients in the glass itself.

Optical Glass

This is the type of glass used in eyeglasses, cameras, microscopes, and binoculars. Because it is used for precise instruments, the raw materials must be very pure. The purity allows for flawless glass. It is a long process and therefore more expensive than other types of glass.

Heat-resistant Glass

Most commonly used in cookware, heat-resistant glass has a high content of silica. It does not expand much when heated making it able to withstand high temperatures without cracking. Masks used in industrial settings are usually made with heat-resistant glass.

Architectural Glass

This is typically a type of flat glass used as a building material. It can come in many styles and textures depending on the look and function desired. There are many styles of glass under the architectural umbrella such as: cast plate glass, float glass, crown glass etc.

Now that we have looked at just a few of the ways glass can be made, lets explore a little of what it is made from. Silica is the most common ingredient in glass. It can be found in nature as sand or quartz, but most often is manufactured. Sodium carbonate is usually added to the silica to make the mixture more easily blended. However it also makes the glass water soluble. At this point lime (from limestone), magnesium oxide and aluminum oxide are added to achieve durability. The concoction becomes what was earlier referred to as soda-lime glass. Adding barium makes the glass more reflective, iron is added for glass meant to absorb heat, and finally sodium chloride is added to most mixtures in order to cut down on the bubble content.

Another common ingredient is recycled glass, or cullet. In a society that has a continued interest in green energy and eco-friendly manufacturing processes, glass is one of the least environmentally friendly industries. While the use of recycled glass does cut down on raw materials and energy costs, the impurities in the cullet often cause machinery to malfunction or completely break down. In the repair of the equipment and the stop of regular production, most of the predicted savings are lost. Until equipment can be made that is able to handle recycled glass, the industry will struggle to be environmentally friendly.

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There are several ways to reduce your carbon foot print with sash window draught proofing this winter. Instead of running the heater all winter, you can save money and the environment through some energy saving methods for professionals and the homeowner. If you live in an older home, chances are you have older, inefficient sash windows. These windows will leak out all your precious heat and let in the winter chill. Do yourself a favor this winter by using some draught reduction techniques.

Draught proofing seals up the leaks in your windows which decrease the amount energy you will need to heat your home, thus, lowering your carbon footprint. It also seals toxins from building materials from entering the environment.

One method of reducing draughts your sash windows is through sealing the windows up from the inside with plastic film. This is usually pretty unattractive and will block out the light and the view through your windows. Similarly, it is possible to us heavy drapes in the same manner. This method might look more attractive, but will still block out light and the view from the windows.

To seal up all the tiny leaks between the window and the frame and the frame and the wall, you might consider weatherstripping. Unlike using plastic or drapes, you get a good seal while still retaining full use of your windows. Weatherstripping is to use strips of material so seal up leaks. Some of these materials are foam, felt, putty cord, and metal.

Weatherstripping blocks all air flow in every part of the window and can look great if done properly. Homeowners can draught proof their homes, but professionals might do a better job and will usually provide a warranty on work and parts.

Depending on the extent of the repair needs of your windows, weatherstripping might not do the trick. Sometimes windows need to be replaced. Replacing windows should be a last resort especially in older homes because the windows are usually quite distinctive.

A good old window can last for many years so repairing might be a better option. It is much less expensive to remove and repair windows than to replace them. This is the time to call in the professional to replace old parts, sash cords, and install new caulking.

It will save you a lot of money to reduce your carbon foot print with sash window draught proofing this winter. My not use that extra cash to make a great organic meal for the whole family during the winter holidays.

It’s easy as one, two, three to slash your carbon foot print with the help of a sash window draught proofing company . Get exclusive inside information now in our sash window specialists guide.