Specifications of SashPro’s Handmade Windows & Doors
Building Regulations performance glazing for our period wooden windows and doors
Double glazed sealed units offer the insulation required by Building Regulations that compliment current environmental demands but there’s only one type of double glazed sealed unit construction that both complies with Building Regs and is specified by experts for period wooden sash and casements windows, main entrance, garden or external utility doors.
These ultra slim sealed units made using Pilkington KA low emissivity glass and Quanex Warm Edge technology are available in toughened, obscure as well as acoustic solutions. Inert gas has, since the inception of sealed units, been Argon but because slim sealed units offer an inherently lower volume a more dense gas is used. Krypton and in some cases Xenon gases are readily available atmospheric elements and when combined with Quanex and high performance glass such as Pilkington’s KA or Planitherm Total + we arrive at discreet high performance glazing with Building Regulations environmental policies met and exceeded.
Pilkington’s Whispa glass can be combined into a double glazed sealed unit to provide calculated sound-proofing from properties that face busy roadways or overflight noise.
For more details feel free to contact us.
Timber species for period wooden doors and windows
Timber Species advised and offered by Sashpro for your project will depend on the general usage and demand. It is also advisable to consider your geophysical aspect in order to ensure longevity. For example if your project is north facing don’t worry too much about weathering but on the other hand if you’re facing south worry about it enough to specify the right timber species. Tighter grained timbers, those that have been let to grow slower are more stable and they’re not confined to hardwoods. This is a common misconception. Species like Douglas Fir (not a true pine though still a softwood) and poplar (a hardwood) have opposite qualities in their generally perceived longevity.
A prerequisite is that the wood we use is properly sourced using FSC certification as well as cut, dried and stored in a manner that will provide for superb joinery. Sometimes kiln drying is not appropriate as purveyors can tend to speed up the process causing ‘case hardening’ and other long term defects. Air dried timbers from the UK are now numerous and our climate allows for so many hard and softwood species that we really needn’t go abroad.
Below are a few of our staple timbers that, through properly managed sourcing, allow us to indeed go abroad with a good conscience. We are, as time, research and process allows, beginning to use native timbers exclusively. Indeed our solid panel shutters are made from Poplar sourced in the UK. You can request our latest timber buying audit and even specify for your own demands.
All our timbers are from FSC certified farmed sources from the UK, Europe, USA and Africa and our joinery is available in the following species: European redwoods (pinus); douglas fir; sycamore; cedar; larch; oak and willow. All sill works for either windows or doors are made from iroko or sapele which are suited to footfall use.
Accoya
Other names: None
Uses: Everything exterior
This very special timber is produced by way of a process that engages farmed and abundant redwoods (pine) and pressure treats it (acetylation) with raw vinegar.
This seals the capillaries within the timber to produce probably the most stable and ecologically famed timber in the world. Commonly referred to as the Teak of the 20th century.
Douglas Fir
Other names: British Columbian Pine (UK); Oregon Pine (USA)
Note: Not a true pine.
Uses: Exterior and interior joinery as well as a plethora of industrial applications.
Most of the UK’s conurbation’s windows were made from a species called “Pitch Pine”. With similar properties, douglas fir lacks the problematic exuding of resin and is generally knot free. It should last in service 100+ years. It also has exceptional insulating qualities and a U Value of .2 (when dried to a 14% -approx-moisture content). As acrylic paints that are more environmentally friendly and last longer intact, this species takes readily to them. There is little movement in service and this species is suitable for doors, sash and casement windows.
Sapele
Other names: Gold Coast Cedar; Penkwa
Uses: Used in the solid for doors (though not in panel joinery due to its propensity to ‘move’) and exterior joinery as well as a plethora of industrial applications.
This slow growing African species is best used in the construction of windows and doors for sill works or ‘short standard’ joinery as it does move in service unless braced.
Iroko
Other names: mvulu; odum
Uses: Boat building; interior and exterior joinery, furniture making and carvery.
A very stable timber species readily available today with huge stability and minimal movement in service. Great for period timber doors and sill works.
Oak
Other names: Quercus Robur
Uses: Used for exterior joinery such as windows and doors only in reasonably sheltered conditions.
English Oak: Probably still the most durable Oak species in the world today and if you can source it for a reasonable price then please pass those details on to us.
US Oak: Almost as good as our own and an excellent for use in exterior joinery.
European Oak: Due to its propensity to season very slowly and as it does so to crack and warp it is best used for internal works.
Window Hardware Finishes
| Sample | Colour | Code |
 | Polished Brass | 03 |
 | Satin Chrome Plate | 07 |
 | Polished Chrome Plate | 08 |
 | Patina | 15 |
 | Rust | 16 |
 | Black | 23 |
 | Satin Brass | 29 |