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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Carpentry Questions >> Refurbing a sash window https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1239377810 Message started by Zambezi on Apr 10^th, 2009, 4:36pm

Title: Refurbing a sash window
Post by Zambezi on Apr 10^th, 2009, 4:36pm

How long would it take to refurbish a sliding sash window, including replacing the sash cords? Basically, take off architrave, remove old sash cords, fit new, refit architrave, strip, sand, prime, undercoat, and paint interior and exterior.

I could ask how much it would cost to refurb a sash but every part of the country would be a different price. I got a quote from a sash window refurbishing company a few years ago and I think it was around £500 depending on size.

Title: Re: Refurbing a sash window
Post by Joiner on Apr 12^th, 2009, 8:59am

For that, a day each window. I'm currently doing precisely this job on three sash windows, including replacing the sliding sashes on two of them. The top storey bottom sash having always been fixed, I've cut the slots for a sash pulley and converted it to a working slider, including (obviously) the weights. Draughtproofed parting bead and staff bead replaced the original beads.

With the sashes out and the beads removed everything was sanded down. The cill had weathered and so got a smoothing layer of wood filler. The lot was primed with acrylic primer (dries in 30 mins), and then given a coat of Dulux gloss, the kind that also dries in 30 minutes (and it does, this is the first time I've ever used it and it's brilliant, not high gloss, but gloss nonetheless).

(You could say I'd cheated because the replacement sashes had been painted earlier in the workshop before glazing, but if fitted I'd reckon to have them primed and glossed in a couple of hours, tops.)

The top sash was then fitted, the new draughtproofed parting bead fitted (belt sand a chamfer on the one edge to give a good entry to the existing groove), the weight pockets refitted (they're sometimes in the middle of the pulley stile, so then have to be fitted before the parting bead), the bottom sash fitted and the draughtproofed staff bead fixed to give a nice smooth run to the sash.

A run of acrylic sealant sealed all the joints on the bead, a spatula used to remove all excess sealant from the run of the sash. Catch fitted to locate the screw holes and then removed and then everything I could see painted with another coat of the quick-drying gloss. Cup of tea and a sarny and then reverse the sashes and paint what could be seen.

Customer told to close the window in an hour when the paint was dry.

I started the job last Wednesday and had the weather forecasters got it right last week I'd have finished the job on Friday. As it is, I'm back there tomorrow (Monday) and Tuesday.

Title: Re: Refurbing a sash window
Post by Joiner on Apr 12^th, 2009, 9:24am

Nearly forgot. Before the Conservation Officer insisted on the replacement of the sashes on the two windows, the cost of the original refurb job was £756, including the fitting of weatherstripped bead.

A previous owner had cut out all the glazing rebates on the top two sashes and replaced the multi-panes with a single sheet of glass! Never seen that done before. Anyway, the CO made it a condition of the 60% grant that the sashes be replaced with ones identical to the ones on the ground floor. 'Hand-made' glass was used at £172/sq.M. (£150 ex-VAT). It was also decided that the bottom sash on the top floor window be made to work. The final quote was for £1,576.

Title: Re: Refurbing a sash window
Post by londonman on Apr 12^th, 2009, 12:05pm

Joiner..did that include new sashes ? if so then I reckon that's cheap. Oh ...were they double glazed or did the Co insist on single glazing?

Title: Re: Refurbing a sash window
Post by Joiner on Apr 12^th, 2009, 4:02pm

Yes, the new sashes for the two windows were included. The top window was 3/6, the first floor 6/6.

Sorry, thought the reference to 'hand made glass' would have indicated that they were single glazed, it being a Listed building. The glass can vary from 2.5 to 3mm.

I've said elsewhere that the growth of the "sash window specialists" creases me up, because their making and repair is a breeze compared to casement windows, well within the capabilities of any competent chippy - or should be. Yet somehow a mystique has built up around them which is totally unwarranted. Some of the prices quoted by those "sash window specialists" are a joke verging on the criminal. I'm not cheap, it's the others who are expensive. That price included a 15% margin!

Title: Re: Refurbing a sash window
Post by Zambezi on Apr 12^th, 2009, 4:28pm

Thanks Joiner. I was asked to look at a window in a house (that badly needs a refurb!) where both sash cords have broken. The window does not look like it has been painted for a good number of years, internally or externally. When it was last painted the windows were painted shut. The timber does not look like it has started rotting yet, it could do with a good sand, minor filling and then a paint job. There are no draught proofing beads anywhere or double glazing, it is as it was when it was fitted.

It is not a listed building or anything special, it is terraced house, so no real need for wooden sliding sash windows. I recommended that the landlord should look at replacing all the windows for uPVC double glazed units (as every other house in the street have done). It will be cheaper than trying to repair (quite a few of the windows have broken sash cords) and refurb all of them. It will also be better because it is a rental property and you don't want to be paying somebody to paint the windows every few years. Not to mention the energy savings etc.

As a matter of interest, where do you get all your replacement parts from for the sash windows?

Title: Re: Refurbing a sash window
Post by Joiner on Apr 12^th, 2009, 5:00pm

Mighton. But some guys also swear by Reddiseal. It's just that I've always dealt with Mighton and so have a good relationship with them. I can get bits in 24 hours.

You could consider the upvc sliding sashes. It's the one upvc style I don't have a problem with because from the street they look like wood with a high gloss finish, come with tilt and so are dead easy to clean. Timber windows will probably outlast upvc if they're regularly maintained. But I take your point about painting and double-glazing.

Title: Re: Refurbing a sash window
Post by Zambezi on Apr 12^th, 2009, 5:07pm

Title: Re: Refurbing a sash window
Post by Joiner on Apr 13^th, 2009, 9:55am

No problem.

Title: Re: Refurbing a sash window
Post by Zambezi on Apr 13^th, 2009, 7:22pm

I have been watching Mighton TV, quite handy. Some products I never knew existed, which can make a job a good job!

Title: Re: Refurbing a sash window
Post by Joiner on Apr 14^th, 2009, 8:35am

Good, innit?

What price those sash window "specialists" now?

One thing people tend to forget when they take out their sash windows and replace with those awful plastic top-hungs is getting bedroom furniture into the house. I went to one place where they'd bought a lovely new sprung mattress bed and couldn't get it into the bedroom of their small terrace house, the type with the small landing at the top of the stairs with a door either side. I had to take out the upvc window and replace it after the bed was in!

I can remember my old man taking out the sash windows to get stuff in and out, as well as to paint them, but that was in the days before it became a "specialist" job.

Title: Re: Refurbing a sash window
Post by Zambezi on Apr 14^th, 2009, 9:23am

I quite like the idea of the Ecotilt sashes they do. The missus would not have any excuses for not cleaning the windows ;D ;D It would also be dead easy for getting furniture in and out.