Give Your Home a First Impression With Quality Windows and Doors From London Window and Door
London window and door can aid in creating a lasting first impression for your home with their high-quality windows and doors. Visit our showrooms in Dorchester, Woodstock Ingersoll, and St Marys for the perfect solution to your home.
Stile and rail: Vertical and horizontal members that support the glass within a door or window frame.
Frames
Frames are crucial to the appearance of windows, whether you have a period cottage or a new build. Selecting london window and door for your house is essential as it has a direct impact on how well your window will perform and lasts for and, ultimately, how much your home is worth.
There are several kinds of frames to pick from: uPVC, aluminum and timber. The most well-known option is uPVC because of its low maintenance and energy efficiency. It is available in a wide range of colours and can be finished with a wood-effect coating to give a more traditional look. It is durable and requires minimal maintenance, other than cleaning. However If you live in an area with a lot of sun, uPVC may not be the ideal choice because it is susceptible to degrading over time in extreme weather.
Aluminium is a great choice for frames because it is lightweight and robust. It also has a sleek, modern design that is perfect for modern homes. It is light and can be finished in any RAL color to match the design of your house. It is not as energy efficient as uPVC but it's a great alternative if you're seeking a more sustainable green option.
Steel is a great choice for older buildings, as it can be powder-coated to match bricks or stones. The problem with the conventional steel frames is that because they are not thermally insulated, they can not ward off cold. Fortunately, technology in the 21st century has caught up with this and it is now possible to have a minimal steel frame with incredible thermal break performance.
Timber is a stunning material for any type property, but its price is higher than other materials. However, it does offer one of the best aesthetics and if cared for properly, will last for a long time. It is best to select a wood that is suitable for your frames, as different woods do not have the same characteristics. A poor quality timber could cause premature degradation, as well as moisture intrusion and rot that can damage your window sashes and cills.
Sashes
Many of the older homes have sash windows. Sash windows are easily recognizable and elegant. They are a stunning timeless style that has stood the years. There are many advantages to choosing windows with sash for your home, and they've been getting more popular over the years due to their aesthetic and practical benefits.
A Sash is a vertically sliding two-paned window. It can be opened to allow for ventilation or to allow views out. The pulley system hidden within the window frame supports the opening and closing of sliding windows. They aren't likely to break, and the fact that they are part of the window means that fixing them is relatively simple and affordable.
In the Georgian period, sash windows were becoming more popular because they let more light into small cottages and streets. The glass panes of windows were typically evenly divided to make them more affordable, since the technology had not yet advanced to the point that larger panes could be produced in a reliable fashion.
Today, there are several different kinds of sash windows, however the traditional box sash remains one of the most sought-after choices. These windows are perfect for those who wish to preserve the style and feel of a period home, but also want modern features such as draught-seals, security locks and draught seals.
Sash windows can be single-hung or double-hung depending on the frame and design. A single-hung sash has a bottom panel that opens by sliding up, whereas double-hung sash comes with a top and a bottom panel that opens by sliding horizontally across one other.
There are a few other differences between the two kinds of sash windows. you should discuss this with a window expert before deciding which option is best for you. For example Sash windows can be fitted with a range of hardware, including sash chains and sash lifts that allow you to operate the windows when they're open. Sash windows can also be fitted with a staff-bead which helps keep the windows in position and prevents them from being pushed out of alignment by wind or draughts.
Cills
Cills can be easily fixed by carefully removing decayed wood and then putting in new. These should be shaped to maximize strength while retaining as much of the original fabric as possible. A drip should be included to channel water away from the window's bottom.
Oak was only used for the most luxurious homes or the first examples. It is therefore crucial that new cills are procured from this material and thoroughly primed, painted and incorporated with a drip.
Resin-based fillers that are mixed with wood dust or timber consolidant can be used to repair small areas of damage and loss. This is a cost-effective method to maximize the amount historical fabric that is left in repair. This method is also effective in repairing damaged sash frames when the damage was caused due to poor maintenance.
Glass
The most significant element of a window or door is its glass. Whether clear or tinted it can increase the architectural value of the structure and provide significant energy savings through solar radiation control. Tempered glass is specifically treated to withstand higher than normal forces that impact its surface. it breaks down into small pieces rather than splintering, and minimizes the risk of flying fragments.
It is important to keep historic glass in place and shield it from damage. The windows of the past may have crown glass (a kind of flat glass with curved ridging or air bubbles) or cylinder glass, which gives depth and character to an exterior. Original pieces of both kinds are rare and highly valuable. They should be kept in place whenever feasible. Glass must be protected from paint strippers and chemical paint removers that could cause it crack or break. Similarly, the putty on wooden frames should be repaired and renewed carefully.
The use of resin-based repair solutions allows for the removal of loose paint and rust from surfaces, without causing damage to the profile and surface finish of the wood or its putty. These products can be used to fix many minor issues that include rot, decay and structural movement.
Sash windows - A type of fixed window in which the sash slides open or closes on pivots either side, or at the top and bottom. This kind of window is usually more attractive than operable windows and often contains an opening.
Casement windows open and close on hinges on the sides or on the mullion between. This type of window is usually found on older homes and is often paired with an affixed wing or panel to create a bay window.
Simulated divided-lights – A grille or grid that appears to have separate panes separated by muntins, but is actually made up of a larger lite with muntins between them. This gives the appearance of many smaller window units.