Arched frames

Finished Product, Uncategorized, Work in progress

Last week we installed 3 arched sash windows we made to suit a home where the originals were rotting away. The original frames have 3mm float glass, the new ones are glazed with 6.5 hush laminate glass. The originals were proper boxframe sash windows; using weights and pulleys. The new ones use tensioned spiral balances to operate. We added flyscreens. Apart from that, pretty much like-for-like replacement. Took 2 full days to install, first one in the rain 🙂

As you can see the frames are rotting out. The sashes are unable to open – wedged shut as they fall out of square and swell up as they get damp. Thin 3mm float glass. The inside bullnose sills and linings are fine, and so to keep as much of the original as possible (and to save cost) we left the inside alone. Remember nothing is square, and the client will render the outside, like it was originally.

First frame fitted, sashes about to be hung. Note internal lining and bullnose sill are kept.

Both side frames fitted, middle original still there…note the original arcatraves around the edge are flat, the client has new ones for us to fit.

Remember, nothing is square, outside render will seal. Our frames are square so sashes work. once the render is in and all painted, it will not be seen

All done with new arcatraves, but keeping the bullnose sills and linings. changed from 3mm float to 6.5 hush laminate glass. no painting/raw frame – painting by others once we go.

Box frames and Spiral balances

Work in progress

We have 2 similar jobs on the go right now, but there is a difference in how they operate; weights and pulleys versus spiral balances

These are single hung cedar sash windows. They will operate using a spiral balance tube on either side of the sash. The spiral balance means no weights and pulleys/ropes are needed. You can get custom made heavy duty spring balances for heavy glass up to about 36kilos.

A standard whitco spiral balance. suitable up to 14kg
Heavy duty spring balances.
An example of heavy duty balances from Schlegel. Thicker tube, custom made for specific orders. Up to 36kg.
Cedar Boxframe windows being assembled – sashes are not in.

These are box-frame sash windows being assembled. Both top and bottom sash will move up and down, using the pulleys on the side, with rope and to the weights which will be hidden on the side boxes (hence box-frame).

This is the traditional method of sash windows, but because you need to hide the weights you have more timber and less glass/view than using spiral balances.

The bigger / thicker the glass = the bigger the weights need to be – making them very heavy in some circumstances.