Suppose you’re a period property homeowner or maintenance manager who needs timber window restoration services.
In that case, you’ll want to ensure you know the “hierarchy” of available services.
By understanding the different window restoration options, you can be sure to get the most out of your money, or this information can save you money on unnecessary window replacement.
So, what are the different levels of timber window restoration? Keep reading to find out!
Level 1: Sound timber frames
As in the “Maslow pyramid of needs,” the first timber window restoration level addresses the basics. The basic need of every period timber window is well-maintained timber frames which are a
Any rot or compromised layer of paint should be addressed before any other improvement is made to the window. Rot kills wooden windows slowly and leads to an expensive replacement.
This is where most timber window restoration companies will start and ensure that your frames and window sills are in good enough condition to be worked on and returned to their original condition.
Some companies will use epoxy wood filler resin in combination with spliced repairs or will replace the whole sections of the timber window.
Level 2: Functional restoration
Functional window restoration includes ensuring the window can be opened and closed smoothly. In the case of sash window functional restoration, the weight and pulley system are checked, repaired, or replaced as necessary.
In casement, windows hinges, handle, and other hardware is serviced to address any functional issues.
The common functional issues are:
- Broken window weights in sash windows, so the sash does not stay in place.
- Painted shut or stuck sashes.
- Loose or missing hardware.
Some readers may argue that functional window issues are more essential than timber window frame restoration, but we would argue that frames are more important because they hold everything together.
Level 3: Aesthetic timber window restoration
Level 3: Insulation & controlled ventilation
Properly insulated windows have many benefits. Still, you can surely live without them, and that’s why insulation such as draught-proofing is at Level 3 of our “Maslow’s hierarchy” of timber window restoration.
Draught-proofing your windows will make your home more comfortable and can save you money on energy bills. Still, people in the past lived without it. They managed just fine, but in 2022 homeowners of period property do not want to compromise the traditional look for comfort, and draught-proofing services are extremely popular.
Draught-proofing is a good way to improve thermal efficiency, but true energy efficiency comes from Double glazed units.
For this reason, the Level 4 timber windows restoration improvement level exists, and as you might already guess, it is about insulated glazing which helps to reduce heat loss.
Level 4: Glazing upgrade
At Level 4, we start to get into the more luxury timber window restoration services. One such service is a glazing upgrade.
Reglazing your originally single-glazed window will give you all the benefits of new double-glazed timber windows without changing the appearance of your traditional timber windows.
A glazing upgrade is an excellent way to make your windows more energy-efficient and can even help with noise reduction and improved security.
As you might expect, changing the glazing is a big task. It involves a whole range of work, from removing the existing glass panes to fitting the new ones and ensuring that they’re properly sealed.
Reglazing is also at the top of the timber window restoration pyramid because you need to go through all 4 Levels to get to it. It is simply because you can not put glazing into the rotten frame, which can not hold even light single pane glass. There is also no point in reglazing sashes and not installing modern insulation draught excludes.
The functional restoration also goes alongside the reglazing because the shades are removed anyway. This opens a good opportunity to cost-effectively fix any functional issues with cords, weights or pulleys.
Conclusion
Before starting a window restoration project, you need to outline a clear list of your objectives and ensure you do the essential work first; hopefully, the above information will help you make more informed decisions.