Wood- framed windows have been used on buildings for centuries. The main types of wood used for this purpose are either softwood or hardwood. Hardwood comes from trees whose leaves fall off in season. They are not necessarily hard and some are even softer than some softwood types. Softwood on the other hand, never lose their leaves. They are not always soft as the name suggests, as some are known to be much harder than some hardwood types. For the most part, however, hardwood is stronger than softwood. The reasons why Hardwood windows last longer than softwood windows are as follows;

The oil contained in hardwood makes it difficult for it to decay. This is because oil prevents water from entering the wood. Softwoods decay easily when they come into contact with water because they do not have such oils.

Softwoods are easily attacked by insects. The oil in hardwood repels such insects. Although some hardwood types can be attacked by insects, a coat of protective oil is sufficient to keep them safe. Their ability to hold paint makes it easy to coat them. Softwood on the other hand does not hold paint well and several coats must be applied.

Hardwoods have a high density and are oily; therefore, they do not chip easily. Softwoods, on the contrary, have a lower a density which makes it easier for them to break into bits. The material used to join them together or to other surfaces is not held firmly enough. This has the effect of causing them to chip when they have to be made tight severally.

Softwood cracks easily because the elements cause it to shrink and swell periodically. The elements do not affect hardwood which is usually compact and highly resistant to changing weather patterns.

An excellent type of hardwood to use on windows is Teak. Teak that is not oiled can last for a minimum of twenty years and a maximum of forty years. When oiled at least once a year, they can last for over a century. It is not necessary to cover Teak during winter. Untreated softwood lasts only a few years. When treated with wood stain, they can last a minimum of fifteen years and a maximum of twenty years. Painting softwood can cause it to decay when the absorbed moisture does not dry.

The cost of softwood can be even five times less than that of hardwood. It is, however, worthwhile to invest in hardwood as they last longer than softwood. They are well able to withstand different weather patterns as opposed to soft wood which is affected by weather changes.

Locating a company to complete your sash window renovation London area is easy and quick when you know where to look. A sash window refurbishment will give you more efficient energy usage in your home.

Unless your home is newly built, you are very likely to have windows that are not air tight. These older, sash type windows may be costing you money by leaking air. In the winter, when you are trying to keep the house warm, the heated air is escaping to the outside. Not to mention the cold air that is coming in through the gaps. You may be able to save money on heating bills with DIY sash window insulation.

Your sash windows were once the most efficient windows available to home builders. Now days there are newer, more air tight versions being made. And the parts that your sash windows are made up of may have deteriorated, leaving the gaps we just mentioned. You may not be in the market just yet for replacing all of the windows in your home. Perhaps you rent and don’t want to put that much expense into a home you do not own. You still have options for saving money on your heating and cooling costs. There are ways you can stop the leaks on these older windows. Let’s look at an overview of what is available.

Window caulking gets old and hard over time. When it is applied new, it is soft and rubbery, somewhat like bubble gum. If your caulking has dried up and is cracked, it may be time to replace it. Carefully pry the old caulking out of the window. In some instances heat may be used but be sure to not break the glass with the heat. New caulking can be bought in a can. Simply scoop out a portion of it and roll it in your hands to warm it. It will become pliable like clay. Form it into a rope and press it into where you have removed the old. Or, go the easy route and buy it is already pre-formed ropes.

Your wood framing may have become old, it may have split in places. If so, you can replace it with new framing or carefully pry it off and apply caulking to the underside. Press it back into place and redo your nailing. The caulk on the backside will form a nice seal. You can then go ahead and apply a bead of caulk around the outer edges, sealing out the wind and rain.

Brush insulation is what is used inside sash windows, where the window slides up and down. These brushes become worn and loose their bristles. But they can also be replaces, although it is a more time consuming job. They can be found in hardware stores or places that sell building supplies. Buy them in lengths that will reach all the way from you window sill to the top of the window for optimum performance.

Your window trim is more than just a cosmetic, it actually helps to seal and insulate as well. If it is warped or split, replacement may be necessary. Use a bead of caulk on this also just as you did on the framing. And a rope of window caulk around the outside edges creates a double seal. Finally, repaint if needed.

For those who rent and don’t want to invest a lot of cash in a house they do not own, window insulation film is a great idea. These film kits are available in many sizes and can be cut down to fit any window. They are almost invisible when applied. Simply tack them up around the edge of your window and then use a common blow dryer to heat up the film. The film will shrink with the heat, causing a nice, tight seal that also adds another layer of window pane.

Whether you want to go all the way with your repair or do a quick fix, any little bit will help. When you see that you save money on heating bills with DIY sash window insulation, you will be glad you did.

Get exclusive inside info on how to save big bucks on heating bills with DIY sash window insulation now in our complete sash window draught proofing and sash window refurbishment overview.

It might be smart to learn how to save money on heating bills with DIY sash window insulation, since the heat that escapes through leaky windows is a waste from any viewpoint. These days all of us are being challenged to reduce our use of energy any way we can. In addition, having tight windows with no air leaks makes a building draft free and therefore more comfortable all winter long.

Why do sash windows let heat escape, and air conditioning as well during the hot months? Wood swells and shrinks with the change of seasons, and the frames and putty get loose around the glass. The channels where the sash weights lie are often sources of air leaks. Also, the frames may lose their seal with the interior and exterior walls and leak around the outside of the whole window unit. Metal window frames, although moisture proof, are not as insulating as wood, which is a poor conductor of heat and cold.

From a cost-effectiveness viewpoint, repairing and restoring old windows makes a lot of sense, especially when you will do the work yourself. Replacement windows, which may have a better energy efficiency rating and which may raise the value of your home, are nevertheless a large investment that it may take years to recover in energy savings.

It takes a certain amount of skill and knowledge to repair your sash windows yourself, but once the technique is acquired, the job is not difficult or prohibitively time consuming. There is a lot of advice online about ways to weatherproof sash windows, with instructional videos and detailed how to guides.

Most leaks involve loose sashes in the frames, and often the frames themselves will no longer fit tightly in their spaces in the walls. The sashes may be tightened with new latches that bring the sections together tightly to keep air from entering. To stop leaks around between the sashes and their frames, or around the frames where they meet the walls both inside and out, weatherstripping must be applied.

There are many different types of weatherstripping, and it will be a good idea to educate yourself on the best product for your purpose. After all, if you do the job well and use the correct form of stripping and sealing, your windows will be airtight for season after season. Although a putty or foam type strip might be affordable and easy to install, the long-lasting nature of metal stripping may be a better investment.

Save money on heating bills with DIY sash window insulation and enjoy life without the cold drafts that remind you that you are heating the great outdoors as well as your house.

Looking for more information on how to save money on heating bills with sash window draught proofing? Get the low down now in our complete sash window refurbishment guide.