Timber sash and case windows grace many a property. Over 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 lack of maintenance, and bottom rails succumb to rot where maintenance has been overlooked. The window starts rattling, then becomes stiff, and ultimately is unable to close as it should.
Woodfellas has delivered expert timber sash and case window services to Scottish homes throughout St Catherines for more than two decades, all from our specialist workshop.
When a window is beyond redemption, we restore, and even craft custom-made replacements to order.
Reach out to us on 07920 057592 or get in touch with us via our contact page to arrange a free visit and written quotation.
What is a timber sash and case window
The title describes the function.
The sash refers to the sliding panel of glass itself, while the case is the internal box frame that is built into the wall surrounding the window opening.
Inside each case sit two weights, one serving an upper sash and one serving the lower. They are suspended on sash cords that pass over pulley wheels fitted into the top of the frame.
The lower sash rises as the weights fall smoothly on the opposite side, and when released, they hold the sash securely in place.
While casement windows swing outward on hinges, sash and case windows move smoothly in a upward and downward direction.
Each sashes operate independently, allowing you to slip open the window from the top, the bottom, or indeed both simultaneously. This offers your home with superb ventilation control, entirely without a panel swinging inward into the room or outward towards the street.
When the mechanism is working correctly, you barely give it a second thought.
When the cords snap, as they so often do after years of faithful service, the sash falls and remains persistently in place or becomes increasingly difficult to operate.
That is exactly where Woodfellas make their their entrance.
Timber sash window services and refurbishment
Not every classic sash window needs an exact solution.
Our sash windows team in St Catherines genuinely spends time to understand exactly what your windows need, so they can recommend whether repair or refurbishment is the right route for you!
Window draught-proofing
A full window refurbishment is the right choice when the existing window remains structurally intact yet is unable to function as it should.
Our professional craftsmen employ joinery techniques sympathetic to traditional windows, improving your glazing and adding comprehensive draught-proofing throughout your home.
A carefully restored sash and case window in your St Catherines property should seem as though it was always meant to be there.
Every setup we perform is guided by the pursuit of smooth use, silent installation work and a inviting ambience within the room.
Sash cord and weight replacement
Replacing sash cords is the most commonly carried out repair in our repertoire.
When the cords break, the weights hang unhelpfully inside the case with nothing at all linking them to the sash.
We access the pocket piece, take out the weights, install fresh sash cords, and position the pulleys accurately.
Our team will consistently check the full condition of your window while on site, so completely nothing gets missed!
Timber repairs
Lower rails and sills bear the impact of St Catherines’s harsh climate.
Where when the decay remains localised to a portion of the rail, the damaged timber is carefully removed and substituted by splicing in new sections of matched traditional timber. The repair blends seamlessly with the surrounding wood, whilst the remainder of the original window is preserved fully intact.
We think there is no reason to sacrifice a structurally sound window over a fault that affects only part of it.
Supplying and fitting bespoke sash windows
When a window has reached the point where repair is no longer cost effective, we craft brand new sash windows to your precise requirements in our workshop and put in them at your property.
Every single replacement window is expertly crafted and made to measure in either hardwood or treated pine. We make serious effort to match the profile, proportions and glazing bar pattern of your original windows!
As wooden window manufacturers based in St Catherines, we supply and install new sash and case windows throughout the region, using premium materials and traditional craftsmanship techniques.
Our collection of sash and case windows covers everything from one single replacement sash right through to a full set of brand new windows for a listed building!
Double glazing and enhanced security hardware are provided as standard!
Double glazed sash windows in St Catherines
Improve both the appearance and everyday comfort of your home with carefully crafted double glazed sash and case windows.
Our slim-profile sealed units are designed to fit neatly within the original glazing rebate, leaving the sash profile and glazing bar pattern completely unchanged.
From the outside, the timber window appears identical to the original.
Find out why homeowners across St Catherines are choosing to improve their traditional sash and case windows with double glazing.
Energy efficiency
Our glazing service provides significant energy-efficient gains.
This results in reduced energy expenditure, as your heating system need not exert itself as greatly in order to keep a comfortable temperature throughout your home.
Noise reduction
The decrease of noise is one more advantage that homeowners often notice nearly immediately.
If your property sits on a busy road or near a major junction, double glazed sash windows will minimise noise transmission significantly.
Sash and case windows in Scotland’s conservation areas and listed buildings
Scotland’s architecture is as breathtaking as it is historically significant.
Preserving the distinctive character of our built heritage is precisely what conservation areas are designed to achieve, and sash and case windows form an essential part of that cherished identity. Trust Woodfellas to honour that heritage through expert timber window restoration.
If your property falls inside 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 go ahead with any work.
Our experience working on properties within conservation areas spans more than twenty years.
We know what the council requires, how to handle the approval process, and how to restore or replace windows in a manner that satisfies those requirements without needless delays or revisions.
For a team that truly appreciates listed buildings and conservation area work just as well as they know the windows themselves, get in touch today for a free site visit and detailed quote.
Sash and case window faults we fix in St Catherines
Sash not holding its position when raised
Replacing broken sash cords is the most frequent sash and case repair we complete, and on an otherwise intact window it is a simple task for our experienced team.
Draughts and rattling
The seal between the sash and the frame has either deteriorated beyond function or was just never installed in the first place. That very same unforgiving gap responsible for the draughts is also to blame when the window begins to shake fretfully against the wind.
Having draught-proofing included as part of a service package helps address all concerns in one go.
Rotten bottom rail
The bottom rail of the bottom sash is the most vulnerable component of a sash and case window.
Where the decay is restricted to a particular section of the rail, the affected timber is gently taken out and replaced with new sections, jointed seamlessly using carefully matched material.
The remainder of the original window is left entirely untouched.
Window stuck shut by paint
Years of coatings applied to the sash to protect it from Scotland’s damp climate can cause it to become bonded to the frame.
We release the sash from its binding, thoroughly clean every surface, adjust the fit wherever, and restore the mechanism to smooth and proper working order once more.
The cables and sheaves are inspected throughout the process, saving you from numerous repair jobs down the line!
Single glazing
Original single-glazed panes are particularly inefficient at retaining warmth and offer very little resistance to the intrusion of external street noise. Our upgrade to double glazing maintains the visible profile of your existing window frames entirely.
Sash and case windows St Catherines FAQs
Is it better to refurbish sash and case windows or replace them?
Whether refurbishment or replacement is the right approach depends entirely upon the existing condition of the window itself. Where the box frame remains structurally sound and the sashes retain their integrity, refurbishment represents a wholly practical and rewarding decision, allowing the window to perform with renewed efficiency whilst preserving its original character. However, where the frame has suffered significant deterioration or the timber has decayed beyond the point of viable repair, replacement becomes the more suitable and considered course of action.
Can sash and case windows take double glazing?
Yes. We use slender profile sealed units that sit within the existing glazing rebate without widening the sash or changing the glazing bar pattern. From the outside, the window looks precisely as the original did always.
Get a free quote for sash and case windows in St Catherines
Should you find yourself in need of a sash repair, restoration, or full replacement in St Catherines, Woodfellas possesses the expertise to manage every aspect with attention.
Give our friendly team a call today and we will assist you in finding the right solution for every window in your home. Every quote is entirely free, supplied in writing, and carries absolutely no obligation whatsoever. If you choose to move forward, we will work entirely around your schedule!
Every window is crafted in our own workshop using time-honoured methods and fitted by our own joiners throughout Scotland.
Give us a call today on 07920 057592 or fill in the form on our contact page and we will respond within 24 hours!