Windows in private buildings in the UK have had an interesting history. Glass wasn’t used for windows until the 16th century and then it was just for the grand homes of the wealthy who could afford them. Any advance in window fitting was tempered by The Window Tax, introduced by William 111 in 1696 and not repealed until 1851. People were blocking up windows, not fitting more of them, although the Great Fire did stimulate installation a bit.
Georgian and Victorian sash windows
The window success story of these times was the sash. Previously, windows were either open or closed, usually by a latch. Sash windows meant one could have the window open just a bit, to let in air, or quite a bit more on a warm and sunny day. This was revolutionary at the time and the growing middle-class Georgians and then Victorians took to them fondly. They could be opened and closed using weights on a cord in an internal box.
Sash window specialists
Here at Simply Sash, we specialise in bespoke wooden sash windows made with the same care and craftsmanship of our Victorian forbears. We can make an exact replica of your sash windows or repair and refurbish your existing ones, depending on the condition of the window and your preference. Although your window will look the same as its older cousin, we tend use spring balances now, instead of cords and your window will not have the traditional rattle. Aesthetically it will identical, but its performance will be more 21st century. You can read about the benefits of wooden sash windows if you scroll down the page.
Conservation areas and sash windows
Customers living in a conservation area or in Grade listed homes may have restrictions on their window choice. We can advise on this. It might even be obligatory to replace your window with traditional original glass. (You can tell original glass as it reflects the light due to not being perfectly flat. Factory glass, from around the 1850s became gradually more standard and eventually lost its beauty.) However original glass is now prohibitively expensive, and some councils will allow a variation on the regulation.
uPVC sash windows
Although we love working in wood, we know some customers like the convenience and the appearance of uPVC, so we offer sash windows in that material too.
Suited to the building
Windows are designed to suit the building into which they are fitted, and Victorian architects liked sash windows as they offer such design flexibility. They can complement the building rather than fight with it.
Stay with sash
If you have a period property fitted with sash windows, we strongly recommend keeping the same style. If you feel your existing windows are draughty, rattle in the wind, offer poor insulation or don’t keep out the noise, we may surprise you with what we can offer. And it may not mean complete replacement. It’s a myth that wooden windows can’t be double glazed.
Do you think you might want to talk to us about sash windows? We operate across London locations such as Chiswick, Teddington, and Twickenham. For a no-obligation chat and free estimate on any of our products, get in touch.
