September 5, 2010

Modern Manufacturing Processes For Wooden Sash Windows Leave Craftsmen In The Dust

Sash windows conjure up the past as they were used widely in Georgian and Victorian homes in the last centuries. Modern manufacturing processes for wooden sash windows have made them popular again as the problem with the hand-crafted versions were to do with permeability to weather and noise.

A sash window design allows you to open the window to the level you wish, sliding the lower section up vertically, without the window falling down again. A rope and counterweight system built into the frame enabled this. Thick walls were required to fit the windows and modern houses are built with thinner walls. The modern trend is to use a friction tracks to accomplish the same thing.

When the window was made by hand, the final quality was determined by the skill of the craftsmen. What would have been slightly out of true, would over time become a large gap between the frame and the window. In the manufacturing process now, architects design detailed drawings on CAD and these are used to program the machinery. The windows are produced perfectly in this process.

Machines are very accurate and it is possible to built a large quantity of windows that are all the same using modern technology. Simulation models allow for good insulation and longer lasting windows. Security is less of a concern as windows close firmly and lock well. No matter the skill of a craftsmen a machine is better in this case.

The basic design is completed with the client's input and where necessary changes are made to colours, varnishes, locks, hinges, handles and glass to suit the client's needs. Glazing that is better at retaining heat, letting in sunlight and insulating from sound is recommended.

The wood is finished with a micro-porous sealant that is water-based. Three coats of this will reduce maintenance as will the preservative that is applied to protect the wood against fungi and wood-boring insects. Paints that are water-based are used for the primer to fill the wood microscopically which prevents water seeping into nooks and crannies. Finally a top coat of paint or stain is added for a durable finish.

Gasket complete the sealing of the window as they come between a window and its frame. The gasket does not get twisted or warped and therefore keeps out the cold, keeps in the heat and reduces noise pollution.

The modern manufacturing processes for wooden sash windows involves CAD technology, hydraulic cramps, quickset moulders and computerized morticing systems. Managed by control software specific to each manufacturer, a production management database controls the whole manufacturing process to schedule.

Get the right sash windows London to help with your needs. Look online to find those sash Window companies that you can choose to do your work. Head online today to find out more.

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