Sash Bay - Engineered wood
Here we replace and old and cold bay window in Balham SW12. As always we specified engineered timber (cross grain laminated or acetylated) which does not twist or warp and is therefore ideal for sliding sash windows. It means double draught proof seals can be located on all four sides of each sash without fear of them ripping or wearing down over time. In turn this means long term draught proofing, heat retention and sound reduction. The timber can be pine or hardwood. By using the latest A rated warm double glazing the entire window has a u-value of only 1.2 w/m2k. This means only 1.2 watts of heat are lost per square meter, per hour. This is tiny when you consider a standard radiator puts out 3000 watts per hour. You can stand next to them in winter and be toasty warm. For longevity we get the frames, sashes and architrave spray painted in the factory with four coats of Teknos microporous paint. This means the windows won't need repainting for around 10 years. What is more, by using water based paint, when it does come time to repaint, you only need to paint straight on top of the old paint without removing the sashes. This is quick and cost effective compared to oil based paint, which needs to be burnt off and repainted with multiple coats. For extra security and soundproofing 9mm laminated glass can be used on the outer pane rather than 4mm toughened safety glass. 9mm laminated glass is hammer proof and reduces noise penetration by an impressive 42 decibels. That's the difference between standing next to a busy road and standing in a library. With timber sash windows the dimensions and style of all components can be altered to suit the period of the current windows. This is especially relevant in conservation areas.