When Clement Moore wrote ‘Twas the Night before Christmas’, throwing up a sash was a common term. Today, most people may say opening a window, when in reality what they are doing is opening up a sash, the moveable section of a window of sash windows.
These are not anything new to the window industry; sash windows have been made and used for centuries now. Having been attributed to an English scientist and inventor, Robert Hooke, the oldest known windows of this type were installed in the 1670′s in England. There is one that appears in a painting, The Milkmaid by Vermeer, dated back to 1658. Although common in Georgian and Victorian homes, they have found themselves in modern homes of today and are still popular.
Basically these are windows that have moving sections and they may slide vertically or horizontally, while there are some today that don’t move at all. The classic arrangement to these windows is normally three panes across by two on each section, giving a six over six paneled window. But there is no steadfast rule, today they come in all different shapes, sizes and number of panes for both sashes.
For these to work, the weight of the glass panels is balanced out by a counter-weight of some sort and that is then concealed within the frame of the window. And, then this weight is connected to the window by a cord or chain, called a sash cord, and it runs over a pulley that is located at the top of the frame. So whenever the window is opened, this cord is pulling or directing the sash that is moving along the right trajectory.
The benefit of a window that has two moving panels is that they can be very effective in cooling the house during warm and hot weather. Opening the tops and bottom of a vertical window helps to let the hot air escape out the top and the cooler air to enter through the bottom. Another advantage to two moving panels is that they slide in different directions, making it easier to clean from inside the home.
People with older homes are finding that they don’t need to replace the original sash windows they have installed despite damage or wear from time and weather There are companies that specialize in restoring and repairing these types of windows usually without having to remove the frames. And the end result can have a window that looks brand new.
You don’t need to buy an older home to have sash windows anymore, there are many different designs you can now choose from to give your home a certain charm. Whether you have a new home or not, replacing traditional windows with these type will add something special the beauty of your home.
Find complete information and details on the way a sash window company can bring your home to life today! When you work with the professionals at sash window restoration London, you will be able to get the work you need completed fast and easy!