How Much Does It Cost To Repair Sash Windows

(Image credit: Ventrolla)

Repairing sash windows is an intricate task. With the mechanism built into the frame itself, remedying the likes of snapped sash cords, broken panes and decaying frames ways dismantling the frame — a task that many people prefer to leave to the professionals than to take on on a DIY footing.

If yous have original sash windows, this is unlikely to exist your only concern. Traditionally single-glazed, restoration of sash windows to meet modern standards will require reconditioning of the frames and potentially secondary glazing to increase their U-values and avoid your home leaking heat from the windows.

(More: Window Repair Guide)

With this in mind, is it worth the time and expense of repairing sash windows? Probably yep. Modern sash window replacements are premium products that fetch a high cost, and you may negatively touch on your home's value by removing period features for cheaper contemporary styles.

With that in mind, we look at the repair procedure in more detail, and await at the costs versus the benefits.

How Much Does Repairing Sash Windows Cost?

Prices will vary based on the extent of the impairment. You lot can look to have a survey of the existing sash windows before yous get prices for repair. As each window is probable to exist degraded to a unlike level, depending on age, maintenance and exposure, you lot may observe that prices vary for sash windows of the aforementioned age.

Here's a rough guide to costs:

• Reconditioning, draught proofing, new window furniture, primed: £800 - £1,000 per window
• Double-glazed sash replacements but, to fit into existing frames: £600 - £800
• Broken sash cord replacement: £200 - 300 per cord
• Full sash and frame replacement: £1,800 - £3,000

Some repair companies will restore your sash windows and prime number only, leaving the final decoration for you to do — others will include full decoration as part of the service.

How do you become About Repairing Sash Windows?

(Image credit: Ventrolla)

Repair piece of work volition depend on the damage. Decomposable timber, broken sash cords, damaged pulleys and broken glass, will all demand replacing.

The process for repairing sash windows will look something similar this:

• The sashes are removed from the frame
• The drinking glass is removed and the old putty can be scraped abroad
• The joints are cleaned and whatsoever rotten wood is routed out
• Epoxy resin is used to make full any gaps and then new timber is spliced in
• The sash is sanded and often primed. Erstwhile paint can be removed with acid such equally Nitromors, or a heat gun.
• The glass is put back into places
• The window is finished and painted
• Old weatherstrips are replaced, new hardware is attached, new chain or cords are fitted, the pulleys are rebalanced or lubricated, and then the sashes are reinstated in the frames.

Draught Proofing When Repairing Sash Windows

(Image credit: Ventrolla)

The nature of sash windows means that a 3mm gap is required for the individual sashes to move past each other. However, this tin hateful that sash windows are draughty through these gaps, non to mention causing the windows to rattle and be less audio-proof.

Draught proofing sash windows will see a small weather-seal added to the existing window, allowing the sashes to still move easily past one another, while limiting the amount of air coming in from exterior.

(MORE: How to Insulate Erstwhile Homes)

Adding Double Glazing into Sash Windows

Replacement window sashes being made in a Ventrolla workshop. (Image credit: Ventrolla)

Many desire to know if they tin can take new double-glazed units fitted into their existing timber sashes. The advice is to exist careful — these windows were never designed to take two panes of glass, each thicker than the original.

The glazing bars in old sash windows are often not deep enough to have sealed double-glazed units, which ultimately leads to premature misting.

Another option is to take new sashes made to fit your existing frames and to lucifer the originals. Ventrolla (opens in new tab) use new slim glazing units and traditional methods of carpentry for an authentic expect.

Adding Secondary Glazing to Sash Windows

Another consideration when restoring sash windows is whether to add secondary glazing or not. Unmarried glazed sash windows will lose heat from your habitation, as they don't have the insulative qualities of double or triple glazed panes. However, installing double glazing in existing sashes is not always possible, as these sashes weren't designed to concur glazing of this thickness.

The toll of completely replacing sashes or whole sash windows is ofttimes prohibitive, and then some other choice for upgrading your window'south thermal efficiency is secondary glazing.

(Image credit: Ventrolla)

There are a range of secondary glazing products available, designed for different requirements such as how often the window needs to be used for ventilation, infinite available and the aesthetic value. Secondary glazing will bear on the latter to some degree from the inside, simply from the exterior, your sash windows should look the same.

Adding secondary glazing will improve your windows U-value, just it won't come almost to replicating the same levels as double or triple glazing:

• Single pane: 5.7 / 5.8 W/m2K
• Secondary glazing with 150mm air gap: 2.9 Due west/m2K
• Double glazing: 1 / 1.5 W/m2K
• Triple glazing: 0.five / 0.viii Due west/m2K

Secondary glazing which uses a double glazed unit is possible and tin achieve U-values of 0.9 W/m2K, nonetheless, these are not frequently used as the overall toll is like to replacement double glazing.

Is information technology Worth Repairing Sash Windows?

Yes, in general the most cost-effective pick for restoring sash windows is to utilise some level of the existing window rather than replacing it entirely. Information technology's possible to retrofit double glazing into sashes in some cases, or in others remaking sashes with double glazing fit into the existing frame. These volition all exist considerably less expensive than replacing the entire window, which will likely cost between £1,500 and £3,000 per window.

If you're in a Conservation Surface area or own a listed building, you lot may require planning permission to replace windows, only not to repair or restore them when done on a similar-for-like footing.

Hugh is Digital Editor of homebuilding.co.u.k. and has worked on a range of home, design and property magazines, including M Designs, Essential Kitchens, Bathrooms, Bedrooms and Good Homes. Hugh has developed a passion for modernistic architecture and green homes, and moonlights as an interior designer, having designed and managed projects ranging from single rooms to whole house renovations and large extensions. He'due south currently renovating a Victorian terrace in Essex, DIYing every bit much of the work as possible. His current project is a kitchen renovation which involves knocking through walls and landscaping a courtyard garden.

Source: https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/renovating-sash-windows

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