How Sash Window Repairs Protect Original Timber
Sash Windows are mostly made of Timber, that cannot be bought new on the market. So it is best to repair rather than to replace them.
Splice Out the Decay Only
A joiner will remove the parts of the sash where there is decay, but cut back to sound wood, where possible. A splice is then glued in using matching timber.
Consolidate Soft Grain First
Where timber feels spongy but is not yet fully rotten, a wood consolidant – a resin-based liquid brushed directly in – can be used to consolidate the soft grain to a point where sufficient strength exists for the subsequent filling, priming and painting with top coat.
Seal the End Grain Carefully
End grain (where the timber has been cut on cross-section) absorbs far greater quantities of moisture than face grain, making it the most susceptible to early decay. It is therefore essential that any primer is allowed to dry before application of the top coat(s) to ensure that the end grain is completely sealed.
Keep the Putty Joint Tight
Fresh linseed-oil putty, pressed and tooled flush, prevents water pooling around the glazing beads of your sashes. The putty, which needs to be renewed about every 10 years, stops water entering the bare timber around the edges of the glass.
Feed the Timber Periodically
Wiping freshly exposed or lightly sanded joinery surfaces with boiled linseed oil on a regular basis will keep the timber soft and supple and prevent it from becoming too dry and more prone to absorb moisture. Treat the repairs and dressing as part of the normal maintenance routine and the original timber should last for generations to come.
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By treating these repairs as routine maintenance and scheduling them on a ten-year cycle, the timber in the joinery of your sash windows can last for generations to come.
