The Benefits of uPVC Replacements for Your Sash Windows

Sash windows operate using an internal mechanism that allows for smooth working windows. Unfortunately these mechanisms do suffer from natural wear and tear. As advances are made in the production of windows, a lot of people are now taking the opportunity to replace their aging wooden windows with more modern materials. By replacing your existing sash windows with uPVC sash windows you benefit from all the advantages of modern materials while still retaining the period elegance of a traditional window.

uPVC gearbox replacement windows offer several advantages; heat loss and noise can be reduced, the frames will no longer rattle, the windows will open a lot more smoothly and they are a lot easier to maintain. Whereas traditional wood frames need a lot of care, including regular re-painting and varnishing, uPVC frames are very easy to maintain and only really need a quick wash to keep them clean.

Heat loss is a big problem for older windows. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that 20% of heat loss in the home is lost through windows, and that figure is considerably higher in sash windows. It has also been shown that fitting your old windows with uPVC replacements can reduce this loss by a staggering 74%. This investment will save you a considerable amount in heating and fuel bills. With double glazed windows or even triple glazed replacements you will also eliminate a lot of the sound that could otherwise filter through your windows.

UPVC frames will also make your property a lot safer. Glazing is laminated and toughened to be up to 5 times stronger than regular annealed glass. This makes it a lot more difficult for anybody to break in through the windows. Modern frames also come with significant technological improvements to improve security, such as the latest shoot bolts and key locks. You can even put a limit on how far the window can be opened; this can be an important safety feature in homes with small children.

There are many other styles you can choose from, to replicate that classical look, including Georgian bars with small glass panels. These panes of glass are built with face fixing bars and back to back spacer bars fitted internally, to give the impression of individual glass panes. As uPVC is such a highly flexible material, modern frames can be fitted to a wide variety of shapes and sizes including arches, bay windows, door and window combination's, fire escapes and raked frames. So if your current sash windows are looking a bit worn or you are experiencing any damage, you can be sure that uPVC replacements will give you the best of both worlds, the many advantages of modern materials as well as an authentic and classical look.

Sarah Haines has a lot of interest in the developments of glass manufacture and the way it is used within windows, she also has a great deal of interest in the way our old sash windows are used after they have aged into disuse. Sarah likes writing articles that offer advice to others about uPVC windows and uPVC doors, having recently discovered their benefits herself.