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Sash Windows - Details matter!
Mar 28, 2020
Have your local installer show you the details in photo-realistic quality so that you can be sure of getting the look you want.
Elegant, traditional sash windows are a staple of the British street scene and bring a real grace to the façade of a period home. But living with original, single glazed sashes can be a challenge - think cold, draughty prone to condensation, jamming and sticking etc. The best of both worlds are modern replacements that bring 21st century comforts, without destroying those balanced aesthetics. Getting that look right is all about detail; here are three all important things to think about...
1. Meeting Rails
Meeting rails typically range from 35mm up to 60mm
The meeting rail is the horizontal section in the centre of a sash window where the two sliding sashes come together. Getting the dimension of this section right is key to the overall look; too heavy and the whole window will look lumpen and out of proportion. The best replacement PVCu sash windows on the market can offer meeting rails of around 35mm thick; not noticeably different from timber originals. However this can drift up to 60mm and beyond on cheaper models. Your local installer will be able to model different meeting rail options for you and show you the effect on your home. It can be profound!
2. Bottom Rails
Bottom rails as standard are around 68mm. But 80mm (left) or over is more traditional.
The element at the bottom of the lower sash of a sash window is traditionally 'deeper' or thicker than the sides and top rails. On cheaper windows this is overlooked, however, and a standard section (circa 68mm) is used. Look for a bottom rail of over 80mm to get the look right.
3. Sash Horns
Run through (left) Vs Clip on horns.
Sash horns - the decorative extension of the side rail to the upper sashes - have been prevalent on sash windows since the mid-19th century. They are a key feature in the aesthetic and missing them off, or getting them wrong, will greatly influence the look. Better replacement sash windows have, what's become known as 'Run Through' horns. These are a continuous element that extends the side rail without a joint (image on the left). Contrast these to 'Clip On' horns (right) which are a bolt on addition to the section. Clip on horns will undoubtedly save money but will look like an afterthought in the eye of the purist.
