The wooden frames to this turn of the 20<sup>th</sup> century property were in a remarkable condition, the owner had records going back to 1930 showing a schedule of maintenance, the house had been in the family since it was built! however the openers to three frames had rotted and required replacement, they were very keenContinue reading “New for old: Replacing Window Frames”
Author Archives: southamptoncarpenter
Porch in Southampton
This particular porch is in good condition apart from the corner post and cill. The rotten timber was cut out and a hard wood replacement offered up and glued in place, Merranti was used for the post and the cill, the original being an inferior pine, that however was not the cause of this rot,Continue reading “Porch in Southampton”
Draught proofing
Proofing Sash Windows Sash windows can be draughty, particularly older examples. In fact the total amount of escape of heat around a box sash window is equivalent to having a hole about 4” square to the outside world. Fitting double glazing alone, if its possible (and usually its not), will not materially make any differenceContinue reading “Draught proofing”
Renovations of a double bow window
This particularly fine example of a double bow window manufactured and installed in the early 1950s was made by Crittal, who have been trading since 1849 originally in Braintree Essex. The steel windows are almost as good as the day they were made a testament to their quality, the cills were also surprisingly in aContinue reading “Renovations of a double bow window”
Fan lights
Plastic out – wooden in
I was asked to replace a french bay, the original timber bay was replaced 17yrs ago with this plastic substitute. i was given a photograph taken before the old bay was replaced. Using only this as a guide, i was able to reproduce a copy of the original french bay, the only difference between the old and theContinue reading “Plastic out – wooden in”
Double glazed units fitted into existing windows:
This is something I am asked about frequently. It depends on the style of window you have and the thickness of the openers or sashes. Unless I am taking out double glazed units and replacing them, the rebates will need to be altered to accommodate the extra thicknesses of the double glazed units. The thinnestContinue reading “Double glazed units fitted into existing windows:”
Maintenance:
An annual visual check and action on potential weak spots, coupled with a 5-7 year cycle of re-painting, will be sufficient to protect your timber windows for many years. The oldest windows I worked on were installed in the 1700s. They were ‘tired’ but because they had been included in a maintenance programme over theContinue reading “Maintenance:”
Rot in openers and sliding sashes:
Putty The number one cause of rot, it cracks over time, usually starting in the corners, water gets in, and the damage starts. Water sits in the rebate where it has no means of drying out sufficiently, until next winter arrives, bringing more rain and, for good measure, a frost, which freezes the water between theContinue reading “Rot in openers and sliding sashes:”
Rot in window frames:
There are very few instances where a window frame has become damaged by rot any significant distance above the cill. Such rare instances have four main causes: when water gets into the drip bar or the transom; when a closed opener sits tight on the transom leading to capillary action; when the opener loses the throating,Continue reading “Rot in window frames:”
The culprit
The culprit. A leaking gutter over time will do this damage. Repairs to a bay window the result of a leaking gutter. Showing the damage to the frame and cill and a example of one of the pieces taken out and finally the repair
Replacement of rotten cills to a former Victorian school in Southampton
Replacement of rotten cills to a former Victorian school, the grooves in the brickwork were made by pupils in the 1800s that used the bricks as a sharpening stone for their pencils, a marine primer was used to protect the new cills until a painter can finish in the desired gloss.
Repair to a rotten cill on a conservatory
Refurbishment of a bay window in Southampton
Refurbishment of a bay window…
Secondary glazing
Secondary glazing manufactured and fitted to a timber bay window. This format of secondary glazing is common in Europe. Essentially, a second window is fitted into the reveal. The secondary windows open inwards so the original bay window remains intact with its windows opening outwards. This type of secondary glazing is less conspicuous than aluminiumContinue reading “Secondary glazing”
Repairing a rotted window
These images show the process of repairing a rotted corner in an otherwise sound hardwood window frame. This rot occurred almost certainly due to the failure of the rubber draught seal that is fitted to this type of window. Over time, the rubbers can become compressed and tired, which weakens the seal, allowing water toContinue reading “Repairing a rotted window”
Repairs to a bay window
These pictures show repairs to a bay window: replacing the cill, machining out the rotten timber on the bottom rail and the stile to a fixed window, and fitting timber cheeks.
Window Cill Repairs
This shows a repair to the corner of a window cill that had been chewed by a previous owner’s dog, showing the method of routing out the damaged piece and the finished repair.
Refurbishment of a fan light in Southampton
This is the refurbishment of a fan light (the glazing above a door). This particular fan light had rotted because of the failure of the putty, which is a common cause of rot in timber frames and widows. It is important to check the putty, particularly on the bottom of the glazing and on theContinue reading “Refurbishment of a fan light in Southampton”
Replacement Window
This is the replacement of window, by beading and scarfing-in replacement cills on the corner section of a hardwood conservatory. The beading was machined from stock wood because the exact moulding was not available off the shelf.
