Your period window project in experienced and sensitive hands..If you glean anything from our website then this is a must read. And apologies for the industry terms, they're all easily understood, if you get your glasses on....
Over the 20 years SashPro has been renewing period fenestration (windows and doors) the rise of concern for practical applications to improve thermal performance has become regulated. Essentially, replacing a window sometimes obligates a house owner to Part L Building Regs and in certain circumstances it doesn't. For example, if you live in a conservation area and your windows are so rotten that they need to be replaced entirely then Part L building regs say you may need to comply with thermal performance stipulations. However this will depend on your local Building Control office as unfortunately a replacement window that meets with Part L will look nothing much like the original. This, essentially, is because a compliant double glazed sealed unit (the glass which makes up most of a window) must be much thicker than your original main framework can take. At this point refer to slim sealed units by clicking
here.
Important: Bare in mind that 'part' replacement, ie. keeping and renovating your main framework, that which is generally made from more substantial timber members than the sashes and simply renewing those glazed sliding sashes, or casements, requires no adherence whatsoever and is a very good idea where possible! This is because it's eco-efficient in that its carbon footprint is 8% that of the energy required to make and sustain all new joinery. New sashes can be fitted with slim double glazing. They might not reach current PartL standards but they are acceptable to local Building Control and on balance offer a sustainable and aesthetically believable alternative.
A keenness for preserving period authenticity with all its charm and a widely accepted view that period property is valued higher when original features are intact leaves local building Control and Conservation Area management in conjunction with Part L Regs
superseded by English Heritage, who deem period façade features such as windows and doors as historic and leniency is at hand. The original 'White Paper' published by EH states that improvements to thermal insulation should be taken in the spirit in which they were meant. This means that any efforts to improve insulation without ruination of the property are to be encouraged.
We are keen to advise on what may best work for your period property. You can follow this link to a video produced by English Heritage. A sympathetic yet authentic view..
Trade Assoc's and Guarantee schemes are front-line marketing tools for this industry. Be aware of them and be as sceptical as they are competitive in supposedly reaching for the same goals. We've found that the best trade association is the government backed Trust Mark as it has meaningful links with Trading Standards and so sympathises with the buying public more readily as opposed to protecting the trader.
A word or two about FENSA and CERTASS: Due to the size of the renewal window and door market, self-certification provides an economical way of complying with Part L Building regs where thermal performance is concerned. We now recognise these bodies as ultimately there for the plastics window market and not for the period timber window professional. We rely on the above stated in paragraph 2 and so provide window and door performance rated products in compliance with Building Control who ask for a balanced approach in consideration of thermal performance and aesthetics. We certify our installations under the correct provisos making sure of your compliance but without the unnecessary constraints.
Find out more about
Sash Window Draught Proofing and Overhaul or visit our
Sash Window Renewal page.
