Sash Window Refurbishment Is A Sensible Option

| Monday, July 4, 2011
By Jason Wood


Homeowners who are faced with choosing between sash window refurbishment or complete replacement are usually unsure which to do. This is an understandable dilemma as both options can be quite expensive. When finances allow for it, most people opt for a complete replacement. If not possible, there are ways to improve an existing window that has been damaged or in need of sprucing up.

Refurbishing makes sense in many cases. Homeowners will do well, however, to remember upgrading an existing window is not the ideal solution but rather a temporary fix in many cases. If this is an acceptable scenario, appropriate steps can be taken.

This type of window has been used in both private residences and public buildings. Regardless of the location, the best possible restoration methods are preferred. Do-it-yourself repairs are possible; hiring a professional company to do the work is not a requirement.

When first starting this project, the trim, stops, and sash are removed. Ideally these should be removed without sustaining further damage. Next, the frame should be looked over for signs of things such as rot and rust. At this point excess debris like nails should be removed. Next comes replacing damaged or missing glass. Once this step has been reached, the project is at least half-way done. All that is left now is painting, weights and ropes, and putting it all back together to complete the project.

Another issue often overlooked is the possibility lead paint may have been used. Homes built prior to the year 1980 have a much higher chance of lead paint. When dealing with these types of windows, this is frequently the case. This is such a serious consideration there are entire publications based on this topic alone.

Doing it yourself can save a certain amount of money, but not everyone physically can or wants to take on the project themselves. The only answer in this case is to hire someone else to do the work. Once this happens, a variety of materials are needed and in turn they are charged to the customer in the form of a bill due at end of service. There is usually a mark-up on the items installed in order for the company to make a slight profit in addition to labor fees.

Sash window refurbishment can save a certain amount of money if the work is done by a knowledgeable private individual. The final presentation will most likely be refreshing as new paint and other touches will have been added. A re-worked version may hold up for a few years which gives the homeowner time to save for a complete replacement. Regardless of time and finances, these windows have added their own special touch to architecture in general. Either way, sprucing up or complete replacement is worth it in the end.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment