A particular melancholy creeps over some people when they walk past a lovely Victorian terraced house and see uPVC. You know, the ones. Bright white frames, a little bit too bulky for the space they’re meant to be in. It’s like the house has got the wrong shoes on. The saddest thing is that it was probably made to be a sensible replacement.
Original sash windows are more practical than most people give them credit for. For more details on Sash Window Repair, visit sashwindowpreservation.co.uk/services/sash-window-repair
Take ventilation, for example. The sash window opens from the top and the bottom at the same time. This creates a lovely air flow where stale air is drawn out of the top and cooler air is drawn in from the bottom. A ventilation system in the window itself – designed before air conditioning existed. A casement window doesn’t do that. Not even close.
Then there’s the glass. Original sash windows have glass that’s got a slight ripple to it. This is how they were made, and it catches the light in a way that’s very difficult to replicate. It might sound like a small thing, but once you’ve noticed it, you can’t unsee it.
And structurally, an original sash window is very strong if it’s well-maintained. Hardwood frames can last centuries. The uPVC replacement that seemed like such a good idea in 1987 is looking a bit knackered.
Original sash windows were built to last. Most of what replaced them wasn’t.
