subject: What are your Sash Window Glazing Options? [print this page] What are your Sash Window Glazing Options?
Renovating or repairing the wooden frames and sliding mechanisms of your traditional sash windows will give them many more years of attractive and trouble-free life. But what about the glass? Should you keep the old panes of glass or replace them with new? What if they are damaged? Cracked glass is a safety hazard, and there's no point in having efficient draught proofing fitted to a sash window if the wind can blow straight through a broken pane!
Today's sash window restoration specialists are able to offer a wide range of glazing options. They include glass that is stronger or has better heat and sound insulation properties than the old glass found in most original sash windows.
If your home is listed it is always advisable to check with your Local Authority planning department before installing any type of glazing that might alter the appearance of your windows, but in most cases you will still be able to choose from several different types of glass. You will have even more glazing options if there are no planning restrictions on your home, although you will have to take the normal building regulations into account.
Here are some of the more popular types of sash window glass:
Toughened and Laminated Glass
These are also known as Safety Glass. Toughened glass has been heat treated to increase its strength, and laminated glass is made by sandwiching a membrane between two layers of glass. If you are fitting any new glass that will be lower than 800mm above floor level you must use one of these types of glass to meet current building safety regulations.
Toughened and laminated glass are both more resistant to breaking than ordinary glass so they are a good choice for any window that is easily accessible to intruders. They are also safer in the event of accidental damage. Broken laminated glass will remain stuck to the membrane, and toughened glass breaks into small pieces with smooth edges. This might be an important factor if you have children.
Textured or Patterned Glass
This is the obvious choice for bathrooms, cloakrooms or anywhere else where privacy is important but you still want to let in plenty of natural light. If authenticity is also important to you, a craftsman experienced in restoring period sash windows will be able to help you choose a pattern or texture that is compatible with the age and style of your windows.
Double-glazed Sealed Units
Adding a second pane of glass to timber sash windows is not usually possible because of the extra weight involved, but if you want to keep your traditional windows and have all the benefits of modern double-glazing, a skilled joiner can often fit sealed units into the original box frame.
Whatever type of glazing you decide on, if you have it fitted by a professional sash window restoration company they will check the whole window and advise you on any other restoration work that might need to be done to keep your sash window as good as new or even better.
