|
3/28/2023 When the painters are in... Typically, the first you know something is seriously wrong with your windows is when the painters come in and start scraping down the timber ready for a coat of paint.  These resins do not harden into a cement but remain flexibile so that the surrounding wood structures are not pulverised by the constant expansion and contraction.
3/26/2023 Advice on window styles by FENSATechnology is enabling the creation of new designs and styles of windows. Importantly with energy costs rising and insulation becoming an important factor in decision making when it comes to windows, we are seeing more innovative companies entering the market. This article by FENSA gives a good overview of styles in the market.3/26/2023 Popular patio door stylesPatio doors are the icing on the cake when it comes to finishing an extension of renovation. They can make up a large part of the budget for a project. FENSA, the industry body, have provided a useful article covering the basics of patio doors design and materials.An interesting debate in this age of advanced water based vs traditional solvent base paints. Recently, we have seen a return to very traditional paints such as Linseed paint. The debate continues:
3/8/2023 Casement and sliding sash windowsThese are relatively rare compared to the popular sash windows. More common in Europe:
https://www.expertsashwindows.co.uk/casement-windows-vs-sliding-sash-windows/ A complicated area to navigate especially if you are in a conservation area but this helpful article explains some of the pitfalls
https://www.expertsashwindows.co.uk/do-i-need-planning-permission-for-sash-windows-and-doors/ 3/8/2023 Sash window jargon explainedA useful article here from our colleagues at Expert Sash Windows
https://www.expertsashwindows.co.uk/sash-window-jargon-explained/ 7/4/2022 Replacing windows case studyThe decision to replace windows is usually an aesthetic one. If you have inherited tired and worn out windows, they may be affecting the look and feel of your property.
Rising fuel prices now introduce a financial consideration. This case study looks into the figures in a bit more depth. As we are repair and restoration experts we will come out and say that r&r yields immediate benefits in terms of carbon emissions and diversion from landfill. We will still look at the figures and some other popular ideas regarding replacing traditional windows with modern double glazed units. Fuel consumption and costs For the case study we will only look at gas costs and consumption. Gas cost per kw/h is significantly cheaper than electricity and is the typical fuel of choice in the UK for heating homes. According to Ofgem a typical medium sized house (3 bedroom) consumes 12,000 kw/h of gas per annum. Current costs are 8p per kw/h but are due to rise to 11p per k/wh by the end of 2022. This means a typical gas bill will be £1,320 per annum. Standing charges add £100 giving a total of £1,420 per annum. 30% of heat loss is attributed to leakage through the windows = £426. New window replacement costs The average cost of replacing 10 windows (typical medium size house) with hardwood timber double glazed windows is £18,000 (June 2022 - source expertsure.com). [ We are using hardwood windows for our case study as we would empathically and categorically advise the public to never ever buy softwood windows. Even with appropriate maintenance, these units do not last 7 years before needing some urgent and serious attention. They are just not worth it.] Return on investment So the payback on your investment will be 18,000 / 426 = 42 years! Clearly, from a financial perspective the investment is not worth it. Other factors in favour of double glazing
Retrofit vs replacement We can see from the case study that retrofitting makes sense, especially from an ROI point of view. All the purported benefits of double glazing and replacement can be achieved by retrofitting options. In our case study, we have not even considered upgrading your current window panes with slimline double glazing units. As long as there is sufficient depth within the window frame, 12mm slimline double glazing units can be substituted for the current 6mm panes. We recommend home owners with older wooden windows never replace their windows as more than likely they will be replacing hardwood timber windows with inferior softwood frames. Not only will the home owner waste money on a poor investment, they will lose value as buyers are willing to pay more for original features. Simply draft proving windows will achieve 70% of the benefits of replacement. If double glazing is the objective of the owner then we recommend upgrading existing windows with slimline double glazing units. 3/1/2022 Dry or wet rot?
The causes of timber rot are often misunderstood. It's often assumed that moisture alone causes wood rot. However, both wet and dry rot are caused by fungi which thrive in either of the two enviroments. Wet rot fungus likes to grow on timber with a high moisture content of around 50% and above while for dry rot to grow it will germinate at a lower timber moisture content of around 20% to 30%.
There are many different types of wet rot however there is only one dry rot fungi. Telling the difference between dry rot and wet rot is the first step to successful eradication of the rot outbreak. Dry rot in your property is serious and it should always be resolved as soon as possible. It is an aggressive destructive form of decay in a building as it spreads away from the source of damp and destroys timber and other property fabric. As for wet rot fungus, this type of rot occurs more frequently but is more localised. The decay usually affects timber at the source of the damp. However, do not underestimate wet rot. If left untreated wet rot can cause major structural problems. Dry Rot is only caused by the fungi Serpula Lacrymans and it is the most serious form of fungal decay in buildings. It can spread through a complete building and destroy the fabric of the property. As we have mentioned dry rot can affect any unprotected timber which becomes damp with a moisture content of above 20% which can be achieved quite easily in a property. 3/1/2022 Why fillers are ruining your windowsThe most common repair to windows, especially in a DIY or handyman setting, will be off the shelf fillers such as Polycell or Touprets. These are commonly found in hardware stores and so are the most likely to be used where gaps need to be filled in masonry, internally or in timber.
A couple of issues present themselves in using these products |
Archives
March 2023
Categories |
RSS Feed
