Why? What? How? Repair? Or Replace? Cost Analysis

1. Traditional Box Framed Counterbalance Double Hung Sash Windows.

(Counterbalance Systems Can be identified by cotton sash cords and pulleys (caste iron weights attached hidden in the weight box. (counterbalance)

These windows are beautifully crafted and built to last. They have been built with quality cedars and hardwoods from 1860 till approx. late 1950s:

Colonial Style

Victorian Style

Federation Style

Art Deco

Between the Wars

Californian Bungalows

All of these traditional windows can be restored or repaired to function beautifully for top and bottom windows, effortlessly sliding due to counterbalance systems.

The best double hung windows were the earliest ones, Victorian /Federation/Art Deco with pulleys, approx. 1700 mm x 850mm or anything that was designed to be taller than it is wide.

Some of the windows built in the early fifties (mostly in apartment blocks) don’t have pulleys and operate on the cord running on friction. Some of these windows are wider than they are tall which is not the best design. It was a time when things were being made more cheaply and quickly. However, a good repair to these windows will definitely be better value than replacing with cheap timber or aluminum windows.

Cost Analysis: Traditional Box Framed Double Sash Hung windows

Repair

• Basic Standard Service Repairs (top and bottom window functioning) and beading change Approx. $590 plus GST per window (dependent on condition)

• Draft seal Recondition and 3mm glass change (top and bottom window functioning) Approx.$890.00 plus GST (dependent on condition)

Replace

• Install Brand New Counterbalance Box Frame Cedar Sash Window (same quality and profile as federation style) $4,500.00-$5,000 installed (we do not install new windows).

This cost analysis shows that servicing/restoring your Traditional Box Framed Counterbalance Double Hung Sash windows is a valuable /economic/environmental decision. You are restoring the heritage of the property and your community. Once repaired, windows work and function very efficiently. Very seldom are windows of this style beyond repair, due to them being built to last.

Traditional Counterbalance Double Hung Timber windows are the best windows ever made and designed. When we reached the late fifties, we started down the road of building obsolete items, i.e, things designed to break down quickly. Most larger window companies today will give you a one year guarantee.

2. Spiral Spring Balance Double Hung Windows (Timber or Aluminum)

These windows were built from the mid-fifties 60s/70s/80s/90s to the present day. (They can be identified by Plastic or metal tubes/rods at the side of the window)

All of these windows can be repaired successfully, however, they are inferior to traditional counterbalance windows.

Unlike traditional windows with counterbalance, spiral spring balance windows need to be held up by the spiral spring balances. The springs have a shorter life span of 5-7 years, 10 max.

Also, they are inferior as you need to use greater force to pull the windows up and down. They have no counterbalance system, only the spring holds them up.

The best spiral spring balance windows are red cedar with hardwood sills made in the 60s and 70s. The sashes are quite sound and once repaired will last.

The problem windows are the “Maple Windows” built in the 70s and early 80s. When the weather gets to the maple it rots in the “mortise and tenon” join. Some of these windows were made with maple sills. Maple is not a good long-term option for a windowsill.

The Western Red Cedar mass produced style from early 90s to present day (clear finish on the inside/usually carry black Witco spirals) are fairly good windows and can be successfully repaired. But I suggest you don’t paint the windows, keep them estapol clear finish as this does not choke on the beadings like white acrylic paint.

Cost Analysis: Spiral Spring Balance Double Hung Sash windows

Repair

• Basic Standard Service Repairs (top and bottom window functioning) and beading change Approx. $690 plus GST per window (dependant on condition)

• Draft seal Recondition and 3mm glass change (top and bottom window functioning) Approx.$990 plus GST (dependant on condition)

Replace

• Install Brand New Spiral balance or Spring Style Cedar Window (not draft sealed) Approx. $2500.00installed (we do not install new windows)

So, you can see from this analysis that servicing/restoring your timber or aluminium Spiral Balance Windows is cost effective.

Traditional Cedar and Hardwood Double Hung Box Framed Windows

If you have Heritage Style Australian Timber Box Sash Cord Windows built from the period 1880 to the late 1960’s, that have been reasonably well maintained, you have a good investment!

Your windows are worth repairing and restoring and this is why:

• Traditional timber counterbalance sash windows have the best design and were built to last.

• Top and bottom ventilation. (Most people think the top window is fixed, it is not. It is just painted or nailed shut and needs to be repaired correctly to function.)

• Ease of operation with the counterbalance system. (Open and shut your window with a single finger if it is balanced and repaired/painted correctly.)

• The joinery on traditional sash windows was made when joiners had time to fully invest their skill to create a product that would last. So once repaired, they will last for years before repair is required again.

• Traditional windows were made with the ability to repair from the inside, and draft seal to make energy efficient with readily available parts.

• Made of traditional seasoned Australian local cedars, quality hardwood sills.

• They have stood the test of time.

Replacing your Traditional Style Box Sash Windows with new cheaper timber or aluminium double hung windows with modern mechanisms is a bad investment option all round this is why:

• They are made from inferior lasting materials.

• They are made with inferior and cost cutting joinery.

• Do not carry counterbalance systems, thus cumbersome and difficult to operate.

• Generally come with one year guarantee.

• Have parts that are difficult or impossible to source.

• Will look out of character to your property.

You will be wishing you restored your traditional windows if you have replaced them with new inferior windows.

Retain your investment and engage Spectrum to restore your traditional timber windows.

Fully Restored now energy efficient federation style double hung sash window

F.A.Q Information

What is a Sash Window?

A sash window is made of two parts:

1. Window frame which holds the moving parts.

2. Window sashes which are the moving parts.

What is a Window Sash?

A window sash is the timber part that holds the glass. Window sash refers to that part of the window which moves. Window sashes are typically found in the double-hung window style, vertically sliding, in which one sash is positioned above a lower sash.

Any type of window which moves can also be said to have sashes.

Window frames and sashes can be made of timber, aluminium, or other metal.

Can Spectrum fix a broken Sash cord and Spiral Balance?

Double hung ropes or spiral balances are attached to the window frame sash to move it up and down vertically.

We fix:

• Sash cord and pulleys and counterbalance systems (weights in the window box)

• Spiral balance systems to timber and aluminium windows

The window frame holds the sashes (moving parts) .

Can Spectrum release/repair a painted shut window?

Can Spectrum make my window stay up as it is falling down?

Does Spectrum repair broken or cracked glass while onsite?

Does Spectrum repair damaged window putty?

Can Spectrum replace all beadings?

Does Spectrum restore or replace damaged hardware?

Does Spectrum replace rotten sashes?

Does Spectrum do a full window restoration

Does Spectrum do draft seal recondition?

Yes…We Fix/Repair /Restore/Replace /Maintain:

• Repair Broken Sash cords or Spiral Balances

• Replace Weight Balances to window

• Replace Broken or cracked Glass 3mm- 6.3mm

• Replace Damaged Putty

• Release/Stuck windows due to over painting or warping

• Replace rotted or damaged beadings

• Maintain or replace rusted Pulleys

• Remove old sash Hardware

• Restore or Replace all hardware, pulleys, sash locks , sash lifts, hinges

• Plane sashes to fit

• Full Restoration is all of the above

• Draftseal recondition

Can I get my top window working/sliding again for ventilation?

Traditional timber box sash windows are a wonderful asset to our homes and our lives. If we maintain our windows, they will function properly for the next generation.

Releasing the top window is a huge asset to you and your family, for ventilation and natural air-conditioning.

Does Spectrum Fix Casement Windows and Fixed windows?

We fix all styles of Casement and Fixed windows:

• Side hung

• Top hung (awning style)

• Ventlight (windows above traditional casements and doors)

• Traditional Side Hung Casement Window and Fixed window

  (sashes Open to the side)

Who is Spectrum Sash window Repairs?

Henry Holt (Director) Sash Window Specialist repairman

Rommel Mangulabnan Sash Window Specialist repairman

Romeo  Mangulabnan Sash window Specialist repairman

Rachel Holt Accounts and Administration

How long does it take to repair a window?

A Standard Service to approx. 5-7 Double Hung Windows, will usually take 2 specialists one day with some new beadings.

5-7 Double Hung Windows with a Standard Service, new beadings, new glass and new hardware will take approx. 2.5 days.

Will there be a mess?

Spectrum Uses Festool and Fein tools multitools, planer, router, sanders that are attached to the vacuum cleaner. No mess no fuss and the best quality tools.

Each window will be protected by drop sheets by 1 meter and adjacent furniture will be covered with plastic drop sheets.

All rubbish is removed on completion.

Room will be vacuumed on completion using an industrial strength vacuum cleaner.

Do you do painting?

We do not paint the windows that we repair, we can refer a specialist window painter.

Will my property be secure?

If we don’t complete your windows before the end of the day, we will rehang your windows to be secure for the night ahead, until we return in the morning.

Are you insured?

All Spectrum Window Repairmen carry OHS white cards.

We have Workers Insurance and Public Liability Insurance.

How do I pay?

On the day of completion we will organise to meet you onsite to look over the work and make sure you are happy.

Strictly Payment by C/C Only on site at the time and day of completion.

We do not accept D/Deposit transfers, or cheques.

For your convenience we have a mobile C/C machine.

We take Most credit cards attached to Australian Banks.

I want to Fix my windows with spectrum what do I do now?

Send an email to henry@spectrumworks.info confirming your work order and include:

• Name, Phone, Address, Email

• Number of windows

• Style of windows (photos are useful)

• Repairs you require to windows

• When you would like to schedule the works

• Your availability

We will return your email within 48 hrs.

Your windows are the face of your home; we look forward to putting a smile on them.

Double Hung Damaged and Rotten Window Sills Restoration

Window Sills are an integral part of the window. They are the foundation, the cornerstone, and when they become too far gone it is often inevitable that the window probably need to be replaced, but they can be revived if the rot has not gone all the way up the windows styles and backboards

However, this is usually only due to lack of maintenance over the years, as the majority of box framed counterbalanced windows were built with high-quality hardwood and it is amazing how long they have survived without maintenance.

Option 1

Lead flashing
When the sill only has surface rot it is adequate to flash the sills with a lead sheet, this old-school technique has been used for decades and can increase the life of a window sill for 30-40 plus years. The main purpose is to keep the sill weatherproof completed Restored Window Sill with Lead Flashing and draft seal.

Completed Restored Window Sill with Lead Flashing and draft seal

Option 2

Replace sill with new Hardwood sill

Exterior flashing being set and Hardwood Window Sill installed

Replace sill with new Hardwood sill

History of Sash Windows in Australia

Double Hung sash windows have been around since the 1600s, it is believed that the design was developed in France then imported to Britain, where they first developed just as bottom opening windows

By the 17th century in Britain, the design was developed to have the top sash opening and before long, was seen as a status symbol by the aristocracy, Hampton court, Chatsworth house to name a few The design was seen as more practical and weatherproof as when they were closed, created smaller gap than the standard hinged casement style window. They were seen as a superior design also due to the top ventilation benefit.

The Georgians took the style and developed further, and large sash windows are synonymous with that style of architecture. During the Georgian period glass manufacture and technology increased and the sashes were often built with 6-12 panes of Glass supported with glazing bars

The first sash windows that were built in Australia were the colonial style, which are similar in style to the Georgian in style, but often had no mechanisms and were often held up with stoppers. We have restored or repaired colonial style in such suburbs as the Rocks, Hunters Hill, and Balmain etc.

During the Victorian period in Australia the sash window was taken to the next level in craftsman ship and some really beautiful examples can be seen in around the Inner West , Strathfield, Hunters Hill , Eastern Suburbs mansions, Mosman and all over Sydney. The windows were Built with a high level of craftsman ship and superior materials such as Australian cedar and Australian Hardwood Sills (As a point of interest, some of the Victorian sash windows I have restored have not moved even I millimetre in over 120 years)

During the Federation years and as our colony grew, Sash Windows from that period can be seen all over Sydney from Beecroft to Randwick, from Strathfield to Vaucluse, all over Sydney and have withstood the test of time. There are still thousands of  houses full of beautiful Federation Double hung sash windows of varying styles and glass types, all built by the quality craftsmen of the day who had time to do the job properly ,these windows were built to last. Sometimes people say to me, they are beyond repair, nothing could be further from the truth these windows should be restored and we should be proud of this heritage.

During the Art Deco period in Sydney there are many examples of zinc and leadlight sash windows in houses and units all over Sydney and these too are beautifully made windows and are well worth restoring correctly

The Californian bungalow usually has sash windows along the side of the house and casements at the front By the mid-fifties mas produced spiral balance windows took the place of these icons due to higher labour and material costs.

If you have traditional sash windows restore them and enjoy them.

We love them