Tips For Evaluating Sash Windows When Purchasing A House

By Giles Perry


Sash windows can be a perfect look for any home. Therefore, you have to be extra careful when procuring your units to ensure that you maintain this appearance. This will ascertain that you have a strong and highly efficient unit.

Ensure that the cords are present. Try pulling them. You should feel some weight at the end if they are in good condition. If they are not, then they need replacing. This is the advice property agents will give. This may require that you take off the closing beads and fix them again. It is not much work, but it is quite fiddly.

Open the unit and check it stays up. It should not slip down as this should be a sign that it has been re-glazed using a glass that is thicker than the original. During home improvement, it is necessary to maintain the initial weight so that it can counter balance the window. You should always note this when carrying out repairs.

Check for any revealing signs of condensation. This is common with single-glazed than double-glazed units. Any problems need to be corrected early enough to avoid further compression. Any looseness may cause water or cold to pass through and hence reduce the efficiency of the unit. This means that you will spend more on energy.

Confirm that the unit has all its ironmongery. If the unit is free running, you can dry run it to see how it works. If wooden windows are not properly maintained, they can become loose and this can affect the clasps. Ensure that you confirm that they have not received any adjustments using jolly sticks, cardboard or other solutions.

Have a look at the sill, the frame and the painting. You should be able to notice signs of decay as a result of poor maintenance. Jab a screwdriver or a key into the wood. If there is wet rot, then it will need to be cut out and replaced. Check out for metal L brackets on the edges and for scarfed-in pieces of timber.

Ensure the glazing is above 600 mm. Nowadays, there are safety requirements and the glass may be toughened as well, unlike in an old house. Experts strongly recommend that you add fall protection or change the pane. You can also adjust the requirements to suit your needs and taste, but remember to stick stay the federal guidelines.

Ensure that the glass has no cracks. Any damaged parts must be removed and replaced. You should also confirm whether the putty is fixed well. If you repair these areas, then you may have to do some DIY decorating on the external face. When replacing the units, you have to ensure that the local building regulations are followed.

Make sure that you have enough cash before you start repairing your sash windows. However, the cost of the maintenance will depend on the location and the size of the units. Therefore, you have to make sure that everything is in order before you procure your new house.




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