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Sash windows are beautifully decorative windows that are made from movable panels or frames that have glass insets and can be opened horizontally or vertically. The weights used for moving the panels are concealed in a box called a Yorkshire light and the first dateable reference of this type of window can be found in the 1658 painting of The Milkmaid, by the Dutch artist Vermeer.

The earliest examples of sash windows can be found in an old English home called Ham House, which dates back to the year 1670. A traditional sash window is made up of three panes set horizontally and two panes set vertically on two separate panels, creating a classic rectangular shaped window. Over the years other configurations have become acceptable as well.

Early Victorian and Georgian houses were fitted with sash windows that measured four feet wide with a mechanism that opened vertically. The runners were set into the frame of the window and were fitted with springs and balances, held firmly in place with metal weatherstripping.

This was done to ensure that the window stayed in position even in very windy or stormy weather. The weights inside the frame were constructed of steel or lead and were balanced perfectly to ensure easy window operation. Two types of sash window are in use today. Double hung sash windows have two moveable panels.

The first was the double hung sash, meaning that both frames could be moved into the open or closed position. The single hung sash frame had one part of its frame permanently anchored while the other was capable of opening or closing. The double hung version is ideal for encouraging good air flow.

These windows are constructed with traditional materials, mostly soft woods and single or double glazed glass panes. Beautiful and stylish, they nevertheless require regular maintenance to ensure smooth operation and the integrity of the frames are maintained. Poor paintwork can result in the frames either shrinking, causing them to rattle in the wind or in the wood warping. This can lead to a poor seal and with difficulty in opening the window.

With careful maintenance and proper treatment of the wood, these windows look beautiful and add to the value and aesthetic appeal of your home. They are extremely efficient at cooling the interior of any room on a sweltering summers day as positioning the windows so that there is a gap both top and bottom means even air movement. The hot air can escape through the top window while cooler air enters through the gap in the bottom window.

Sash windows are windows that are beautifully decorated. If you’re wondering, you need to check into the sash window company. Sash window restoration London will help you with your window restoration needs.