When Repair is Better than Replacement
Many people assume a draughty window or a door that is stiff or paint-stuck needs replacement. This is not necessarily the case. Timber is a material that is forgiving. What appears to be a terminal problem, such as a sash window that does not slide or a sticky door that is painted shut, typically is the result of old, worn out paint or paint that has hardened, worn cords, or a bit of rot. With good repair, a door or window can be returned to good working order without the removal of the old joinery.
What Actually Goes Wrong
It is often the case that sash windows refuse to slide or become painted shut due to years of repainting and worn pulley cords. The solution is to remove the old cords and weights, and plane the running surfaces to enable the window to slide. The draughts around older frames are often remedied by the application of proper draught seals rather than a complete replacement. Doors that become sticky, fall shut, or let cold air draft are typically the result of hinges that require adjustment or a slight movement of the frame, or that have a faulty threshold. Where rot has occurred, the damaged section can be removed and replaced with an exact match.
Period and Listed Properties
Where a property is in a conservation area or is listed, replacements of timber with uPVC are not permitted and rightly so, as upon a period property they rarely look good.
Timber Windows and doors can be made to match the original design – from replicating existing joinery on-site, to using architect’s drawings for a full restoration. In cases where a door or window has been damaged or lost, the finished window or door looks more authentic if the correct style and proportions for the property are used. This makes it clear to the viewer that it was always part of the original design as opposed to a later installation.
Selecting the Timber
Choosing the design is only half the battle, material choice is important too. Hardwoods like oak or iroko offer far superior weather resistance and rot resistance over softwood, therefore are more suitable for external window and door use as well as anything expected to have a longer service life with just periodical oiling. Treated softwood is a suitable, less expensive option for internal use or when a painted finish is desired, as long as it is kept away from prolonged damp. Quality, well-seasoned timber from reputable suppliers improves the long-term performance of any repaired or replaced timber.
A Match Made for Style
One of the best opportunities to upgrade your home’s security rests in upgrading and repairing front doors. Multi-point locks and high quality mortice lock systems are great for securing a door, but can be easily destroyed by unauthorized entry. High quality hinges that cannot be removed make sure that the door is secured from the outside as well. These upgrades to the door system make it secure while retaining the door’s original design.
Double glazed windows can be a quick and relatively affordable way of improving the thermal comfort of period properties when installed into timber frames. Because this type of installation doesn’t impact the street facing appearance of the property, it helps to keep the same look that contributes to the value of the building. This is particularly useful where the retention of the street facing appearance of the property is critical.
Double glazed units are ideal to help reduce heat loss. With proper fitting, double glazed windows can be used to improve drafts, sticking doors, and windows that are not aligned.
Before you assume double glazed units are not an option, always get an opinion. It could be that all you actually need is a repair and not a complete restoration. You do not want to spend money that could be saved by getting a second opinion.