Saturday, 12 March 2011

Learn Why Double Glazed Wooden Sash Windows Can Increase The Value Of Your Home

By Jacob Phillips


Owners of period homes may wish to learn why double glazed wooden sash windows can increase the value of your home. These traditionally built, beautifully proportioned windows, are often an essential part of the charm of any period home, especially those which are built in Georgian style. However these homes can be more than 200 years old, and their owners often suffer from problems including draughts, condensation, low energy efficiency, high noise intrusion from busy streets, and rattling on days with high winds. Replacement using modern double glazed units may be ruled out for aesthetic reasons, or because the home is subject to planning restrictions. Nevertheless period home owners still have some good choices including refurbishment, or replacement with double glazed units, which can be built in quality hardwood or softwood, with designs closely matching the traditional originals in style.

Buildings in the Georgian style, which mostly date from the 18th-century, are notable for their simplicity and elegance. They are an essential element of the charm and attractiveness of many of our urban environments, and part of that attractiveness derives from the fine proportions of their sash windows.

Unfortunately for period home owners, most of the sash windows are over 200 years old, and during their long life they have developed many problems, including draughts and rattles, which can be caused by the wood warping and distorting with age. In addition condensation, low levels of energy efficiency, and high levels of noise intrusion into the home, may have been acceptable 200 years ago, but are often considered unacceptable by modern standards.

Replacement with modern double glazing can often seem to be the best option, but these modern units are often regarded as spoiling the appearance of many period buildings.

Period home owners may therefore wish to avoid modern replacements. This can be for aesthetic reasons, and also because research shows that original features add value to the home, and make finding a buyer a lot easier. Also many period homes may be in conservation zones, and local planning laws may prevent the use of modern replacement units.

Home owners can avoid the need for UPVC double glazed replacements, either by choosing a refurbishment, or a replacement with double glazed wooden units, built to match the original style. Refurbishment can deal with problems such as draughts and rattles, but the owner is still left with a single glazed solution, which can never match UPVC double glazing in energy efficiency.

Those who choose replacement with double glazed wooden units will have a modern-build quality unit, matching UPVC double glazing both for energy efficiency and noise reduction, while retaining the simplicity and elegance of traditionally designed windows.




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