Timber Sash Windows - Bring A Touch Of Georgian To Your 21st Century Home

The sash window originated in the 17th century, invented either by the French or the Dutch - there is still some doubt on this subject. The word "sash" comes from the French "chassis", meaning "frame". This name probably originated because the sash window is completely contained within its frame, presently having two movable rectangular sashes that can be manipulated to let in any amount of air that one may wish. Before the Georgian age, only one of the two sashes in the sash windows was movable.

It comes as no surprise that the British embraced the sash window so enthusiastically. In the perennially damp British climate, timber is easily subjected to distortion and rot caused by moisture and mold. Casement windows, which open outwards, are thrown open to the elements, making them more vulnerable to the forces of nature. Sash windows, on the other hand, are encased within the frame at all times, allowing no scope for distortion. With improved methods of timber maintenance, the problem of rot has also been mostly conquered.

Another reason for the sash window's popularity in Britain may be its ability to show off workmanship. The Georgian era was a time of fast expanding industrialization, when the exhilaration of what men could do with their hands was still hugely powerful in peoples' minds. The Georgian sash window was traditionally composed of two sashes, each with six panes - three on top, three on the bottom. The small panes probably originated because large sheets of glass were hard to manufacture when the sash window first originated. In the Georgian era, the panes were hand-blown from expensive crown glass, and a system of 6 panes per sash became quite popular.

The most popular timber used in framing sash windows was thick oak glazing timber. Oak was used for its superior strength and resistance to corrosion, decay and water damage, and still remains one of the most popular woods used in woodwork. Recent innovations in joinery, glasswork and woodworking have also improved the quality of the frames, allowing timber frames to be lighter and yet as durable as before.

For British households, the timber sash window serves both as a link to an illustrious past, and a symbol of established tradition. Convenience-wise, the sash window also helps you get more value out of timber, as is evidenced by the fact that old sash windows survive in much greater numbers than old casement windows. Additionally, casement windows can also be used to control the amount of warm or cool air flowing in and out of your rooms. With the addition of thermal breaks or weather proofing, timber sash windows can also be used in air-conditioned rooms, safely letting you enjoy pleasant weather and yet protecting you from the extreme heat and cold.