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Restoration

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4 min read

Repair, don't replace: saving sash windows

Most rotten sashes can be repaired for a fraction of the cost of new, and draught-proofed to perform almost as well.

Portrait of Dan Mortise, head joiner

Dan Mortise

Head joiner

An old sash window on a workbench being repaired

Victorian and Georgian sashes were made from slow-grown timber that is far more durable than most modern wood. Even when the bottom rail has rotted, the rest is usually sound.

We splice in new timber where it’s needed, free the pulleys, replace the cords and fit brush seals into the beads. The result is a window that opens with one finger and stops most draughts.

In a conservation area, repair is also usually the easiest route: no planning arguments about replacement windows.

A typical repair and draught-proofing costs £650 to £1,400 a window, against £2,000 or more for a good new timber sash.

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A restored flint and brick cottage front door with a climbing rose

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