Wooden sash and case windows grace many a home. With time, however, these distinctive windows will require a little extra care and attention.
Sash cords break under many years of strain, draught seals deteriorate through prolonged neglect, and bottom rails succumb to rot where maintenance has been overlooked. The window begins to rattle, then stiffens, and ultimately fails to close as it should.
Woodfellas has been delivering specialist timber sash and case window services to Scottish homes across Gretna for more than two decades, all from our specialist workshop.
When restoration and repairs are not enough, we create completely tailored replacements, fashioning a new piece from the very soul of what once was.
Ring us on 07920 057592 or reach out via our contact page to arrange your free visit and written quote!
What is a timber sash and case window
The title accurately reflects how the system works.
The sash is the moveable glass panel. The case is the hollow box frame constructed within the wall surrounding the window opening.
Inside each case are placed two weights, one serving the upper sash and one serving the lower. They are hung on sash cords that run over pulley wheels fitted into the top of the frame.
Lift the lower sash and the weights drop on the opposite side. Let go of it and they keep the sash in place.
Whilst casement windows swing outward on hinges, sash and case windows move by sliding vertically instead of that.
With both sashes working separately of one another, you have the freedom to open from the top, the bottom, or indeed both simultaneously. That gives your home excellent ventilation control, all without any panel swinging inward into the room or outward toward the street.
When the mechanism is working flawlessly, you barely give it a second thought!
When the cords break, as they commonly do after years of everyday use, the sash falls and remains in that position or becomes increasingly difficult to operate.
That’s where Woodfellas comes in.
Timber sash window services and refurbishment
Not every classic sash window requires an exact solution.
Our sash windows team in Gretna genuinely spends time to get to grips with exactly what your windows need, so they can recommend whether repair or refurbishment is the best route for you!
Window draught-proofing
When a window remains structurally intact yet fails to deliver on performance, a complete renovation becomes the most logical and most rewarding course of action.
Our experienced craftsmen apply joinery methods specifically suited to traditional windows, upgrading your glazing and fitting draught-proofing throughout your home.
A carefully restored sash and case window in your Gretna property should seem as though it was always meant to be there.
Easy to operate, silent within the frame, and welcoming in the space. That is the standard we strive towards on every instance.
Sash cord and weight replacement
Sash cord replacement is the often most carried out repair we undertake.
When the cords break, the weights remain idle within the box, no longer linked to the sash in any way.
We reach the pocket piece, take out the weights, fit fresh sash cords, and set the pulleys accurately.
Whilst undertaking your repair, our specialists will take the time to closely assess the general condition of your window, ensuring that every detail is fully examined and nothing is overlooked.
Timber repairs
Gretna’s lower rails and sills withstand the harshest weather conditions.
Where the decay remains localised to a portion of the rail, the damaged timber is carefully taken out and replaced by inserting new sections of matched traditional timber. The repair integrates seamlessly with the surrounding wood, whilst the remainder of the original window is preserved fully intact.
We are firmly of the view that a window which remains structurally sound should never be sacrificed simply because an single issue affects only one part of it.
Supplying and fitting bespoke sash windows
When a window is beyond economical repair, we make new sash windows to your exact specifications within our workshop and supply and install them at your property.
Every replacement window is carefully crafted and manufactured to the precise measurements of each opening, available in hardwood or treated pine. We take considerable care to accurately replicate the profile, proportions, and glazing bar arrangement of the original window.
As timber window manufacturers located in Gretna, we provide and fit new sash and case windows throughout the region, utilising premium materials and time-honoured craftsmanship techniques.
From one replacement sash to a full range of new windows for a listed building, our sash and case window range has every requirement covered.
Double glazing and enhanced security hardware are provided as standard features.
Double glazed sash windows in Gretna
Enhance your home and boost your everyday comfort with double glazed sash and case windows.
Our sealed units are slim-profile sealed units that fit within the original glazing rebate without altering the sash profile or glazing bar pattern.
From the outside, the timber window appears identical to the original.
Here is the reason so many property owners across Gretna are choosing to upgrade their traditional sash and case windows with double glazing.
Energy efficiency
Our glazing service delivers a significant improvement to your home’s energy efficiency.
This translates directly into lower energy bills, as your heating system no longer needs to labour as intensely to keep a warm and comfortable temperature across your home.
Noise reduction
Reduced noise is another benefit homeowners notice very quickly!
Double glazed sash windows substantially lower noise transmission for homes on roads with heavy traffic or by main junctions.
Sash and case windows in Scotland’s conservation areas and listed buildings
Scotland’s architecture is just as breathtaking as it is imbued with centuries of fascinating history.
The character of conservation areas is something worth protecting with great care, and sash and case windows form a meaningful part of that architectural identity. Protect the integrity of your property through professional timber window restoration carried out by Woodfellas.
If your property falls within one of these designated areas, or if it holds listed building status, the regulations governing window replacement are specific and must be understood before you proceed with work of any kind.
For more than twenty years, we have been working on properties located in conservation areas.
We are familiar with council expectations, can navigate the consent process, and replace windows to satisfy requirements without unnecessary delays.
For a team that is familiar with listed buildings and conservation area work just as closely as they understand the windows themselves, reach out today to book a free site visit and written quotation.
Sash and case window faults we fix in Gretna
Sash not holding its position when lifted
Replacing broken sash cords is absolutely the commonest sash and case repair our skilled team tackles, and when the rest of the window is in sound condition it is a wonderfully straightforward task for our skilled crew!
Draughts and rattling
The draught seal between the sash and the frame has degraded or was never fitted at all. A sash and case window suffering from draughts will also often rattle noisily in the wind due to this very gap!
Including draught-proofing within a scheduled service appointment addresses all concerns thoroughly and at the same time.
Rotten bottom rail
The bottom rail of the lower sash represents the most vulnerable part of a sash and case window.
Where rot is confined to part of the rail, we remove the damaged timber and splice in new sections using matched material.
The rest of the original window stays completely undisturbed.
Window stuck shut by paint
Many years of accumulated paint applied to safeguard the sash against Scotland’s damp climate can make it bond securely to the frame.
We release the sash from its binding, carefully clean every surface, refine the fit required, and return the mechanism to smooth, proper working order once more.
The cords and pulleys are fully inspected throughout the work, saving you from dealing with many repair jobs later on.
Single glazing
Original single-glazed panes are especially inefficient at retaining warmth and provide very little resistance to the intrusion of outside street noise. Our upgrade to double glazing preserves the visible profile of your existing window frames entirely.
Sash and case windows Gretna FAQs
Is it better to refurbish sash and case windows or replace them?
Whether to renovate or renew depends on the window’s existing condition. A sound box frame with structurally intact sashes makes refurbishment the practical choice. You retain good performance without sacrificing original character. Where the frame has severely deteriorated or timber rot is irreparable, replacement becomes the more practical solution.
Can sash and case windows take double glazing?
Yes! We use slim profile sealed units that sit neatly within the existing glazing rebate without widening the sash or changing the glazing bar pattern. From the outside the window appears absolutely identical to the original.
Get a free quote for sash and case windows in Gretna
Woodfellas manages every sash repair, restoration, or replacement requirement in Gretna.
Get in touch with our team today and we will guide you on the most suitable solution for each window. All quotes are complimentary, written, and carry no obligation. If you choose to proceed, we will work around your schedule.
Every window and door is crafted in our own workshop using time-honoured methods and installed by our own joiners throughout Scotland.
Give us a call now on 07920 057592 or complete the form on our contact page and we will respond within 24 hours!