Sash window renovation

[rs6mra]

Hi,
Gaining access to my sash windows is a ball ache as when I had them done 20 years ago I had scaffolding erected which cost quite a bit. At the time I was quoted what I considered a silly price to repaint them and I did them myself. The windows were draught-proofed by a firm that did a good job and that also addressed the rattling issue.
I now need to get them done again and was wondering if taking them off internally would be a good move, considering I have never removed a sash window before. I was toying with doing a test run on one of the windows at the back of the house as the main windows are want done are at the front on the High Street.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Ollie78]

Sash windows come out to the inside. So not sure why scaffold was needed. I do full refurbs including replacement cills all from inside.
Take out the staff bead, just one side will be enough unless replacing it all anyway.
Then, swing the lower sash away, put a pin in each cord by the pulley ( this stops the rope going back in) and then undo the cords from the sash. (if they were done by Ventrolla they have a little plastic clip instead ).
Next you need to remove the parting bead, this may have been replaced with a 2 part plastic one which will come out easily or if it is still a timber one might be tricky because of the paint sticking it in, you will need to take both sides out. Do the same with the upper sash pulling it right down before pinning the cord and removing that.
It takes 10 minutes to get out.
Decorate it as you need to and then re assemble. You may need to replace some beads as they can break a bit easy sometimes.

All parts are available from Mightons or Reddiseals.

 

[rs6mra]

Thanks ever so much for confirming that

 

[rs6mra]

@Ollie78 is it a simple job after the sash windows have been removed to adapt them to swing inwards? I can’t get a window cleaner. The chap who used to do them used my ladders as his weren’t long enough no longer has rounds in the village. The new chap with the extended pole turned up 2x and that was it
I did get a quote from Ventrolla a while ago to replace with double glazed and inward swinging sashes but the quote was eye watering and the glazed unit wouldn’t have made a massive difference.

 

[rs6mra]

SWMBO reckons we should change the windows
For example one sash is 700 x 1950 mm and with single panes of glass on the top and bottom. I haven’t got the depth as I’m on the train but was wondering if it might be prudent to just change the entire sash and save messing about with the existing as 4-6-4 glazing wouldn’t give much benefit.

 

[Jacob]

@Ollie78 is it a simple job after the sash windows have been removed to adapt them to swing inwards? I can’t get a window cleaner. The chap who used to do them used my ladders as his weren’t long enough no longer has rounds in the village. The new chap with the extended pole turned up 2x and that was it
I did get a quote from Ventrolla a while ago to replace with double glazed and inward swinging sashes but the quote was eye watering and the glazed unit wouldn’t have made a massive difference.

Trad sashes are easy to remove so that you can paint the box frames and the fronts of the actual sashes.
If they are working OK you can clean the outsides from inside.
Window cleaners all seem to use long poles and condensed water for cleaning. Quicker, cheaper, safer.
You can't really add DG to old sashes. Just get some thicker curtains and/or blinds
Basically you have no problems and are lucky to have some trad sashes in working order.
Re scaffolding; sash windows are really east to fit , service, replace etc from the inside. Clear the room and put down dust sheets.
I've had to turn down at least one major job, renovating/repair/replace 20 +windows on a huge Georgian building, because an ignorant architect believed it could be done from the outside.

 

[Fitzroy]

SWMBO reckons we should change the windows
For example one sash is 700 x 1950 mm and with single panes of glass on the top and bottom. I haven’t got the depth as I’m on the train but was wondering if it might be prudent to just change the entire sash and save messing about with the existing as 4-6-4 glazing wouldn’t give much benefit.

I've been messing about with the sash windows in my property for a goodly while and recently bought a thermal camera. My measrements of window surface temperature on a chilly (close to zero) night in the winter. House thermometer set at 19degC and with some rooms a little warmer than this.

Single glazed sash in the bedroom : 9.7°C
4-6-4 Heritage sash in kitchen : 12.2°C
single glazed with internal secondary glazing : 14.1°C
24mm double glazing 10 yrs old in laundry room: 17.1°C
22mm double glazing, argon filled, 2 yrs old ins son's bedroom: 18.7°C

My take away from this is heritiage units are pretty rubbish and not worth the money/hassle to install. If you already have internal secondary glazing then they are a worse thermal solution although look much better!

Fitz.