The first sash window known to have ever been built was used in English homes during the seventeenth century. Robert Hooke is the English scientist who created the traditional design. Usually, these windows are found on aged Victorian or Georgian styled buildings. Though centuries old and often seen on older homes, these windows are still being used in designs of newer homes. Over the centuries, many companies have stuck with the traditional ways of constructing sash windows. There are more precise instructions on making a sash window for your personal use, but this guideline will give you an overview of the current modern manufacturing processes for wooden sash windows.
Hooke designed the window to have to glass panes that were meant for mobility. One or both panes move in a horizontal or vertical fashion. When the panes are moved, the opening created allows ventilation and circulation of air throughout a room. Each glass pane consists of gridded panels. Originally, each pane would have a grid, dividing the glass into sections with three panels across and two panels tall. When both panes are closed, the window would be one large glass with twelve even sections.
Various tools and material are needed to create a good window. To make wooden sash windows, you will need to pick the wood you wish to use. With a table saw, dado blade and finishing blade, you will cut the wood with precision to build your window frame. In addition to big tools, other essentials are nails, wood glue, a rabbeting bit, sand paper and safety goggles. A quarter inch chisel will also be used to make straight edges and corners in the wood.
Start by constructing a frame. With the table saw and dado blade, cut three eighth inch long extensions that are a quarter inch thick at the ends of the top and bottom pieces of wood. These extensions, or tenons, will be inserted into the side pieces of wood with slots cut out of the same size. This will keep the frame together. A chisel that is a quarter of an inch is used to square the slots on the side pieces. Use wood glue to adhere the four wooden pieces together. Wait for at least an hour to allow the glue to harden. Then use nails to secure and reinforce the pieces together. The nails should go into the tenons through the side pieces.
Once the frame is intact, you will need to create an even slit throughout the inside of the frame. This slit is technically called a rabbet. Use a rabbeting bit to make this slit and a quarter inch chisel to make sure the edges and corners are straight and square. A good tactic to place glass glaze along the inside of the rabbet is to rub the glaze on a string small enough to fit and lay it on the inside of the slit. Remove the string and put in the window glass. Apply even pressure to reinforce the glass setting in. Put more glaze on the glass and window frame edge. Once this fixture dries overnight, it will be ready to paint or stain.
Hot and cold weather will make the wood of the frame expand and shrink. Rainwater and humidity will allow the wood to mold or rot, which will weaken the wood strength. Even the sliding factor of the sash window will wear the wood out. You cannot avoid weather erosion. However, to restore a wooden sash, just follow the same procedures and make a new wooden sash frame.
The cost benefit of pursuing this handyman project on your own is that you avoid having to pay for labor. However, you still have to invest enough money into the right materials to build a strong window sash. Since this is a somewhat challenging and time-consuming project, you might opt to have a professional build a window to your personal liking. There are many carpenters or builders that specialize in making sash windows and can be found on the Internet or in the phone book.
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