We work on all types of timber sash windows, from stiff or stuck sashes and broken cords to rotten sills, failed paintwork and draughty frames. Our repairs are suited to Victorian and Georgian properties and other period and protected properties where preserving the original window is the priority.
Sash Window Experts has been repairing and restoring period sash windows for over 30 years. Our team of accomplished craftsmen works both on-site and from our joinery workshop, depending on the nature and scale of the repair.
Call us on 01403 602701 or arrange a free no-obligation survey with Mark.
What Our Customers Say
When Do Sash Windows Need Repairing?
Sash windows in period properties are built to last, but over time wear, weathering and lack of maintenance take their toll. The most common problems include broken or frayed sash cords, decayed window sills, rot to the sashes or box frame, draughty frames, rattling glass, failed paintwork and stiff or stuck sashes that no longer slide freely.
In most cases, targeted repair is far more cost-effective than full replacement and allows the original window to be preserved.
For owners of period and protected properties, repair is often not just the preferred option but the required one. Sash Window Experts has the experience to assess what each window needs and advise on the most appropriate course of action.
What Our Sash Window Repair Service Covers
We carry out a full range of sash window repairs, from structural timber work and re-cording to draught proofing, glazing and hardware replacement.
Window Sills and Frames
A decayed window sill or box frame does not mean the window needs replacing. In most cases, the affected timber can be repaired using a two-part epoxy resin process that restores the original profile and will not crack over time.
Where rot has affected the sashes, sills or box frame, we remove the damaged timber, apply a stabilising solution and fill using epoxy resin. The resin is left to cure, sanded to match the original profile and protected with primer. Because epoxy resin moves with the natural expansion and contraction of timber, the repaired section remains stable and solid.
Where damage is more extensive, we can remove the affected lower box assembly and replace it with a new hardwood sill section, using the same joints as the original to maintain the strength of the frame. New timber sections are carefully pieced in with detailed mouldings matched to the original profile.
Sash Cords, Pulleys and Weights
When a sash cord breaks or frays, the sash becomes difficult or impossible to operate. Re-cording restores smooth operation and takes the strain off the remaining cords and counterbalance weights.
As part of a full sash window repair, we remove the sashes from the box frame, clear any paint build-up from the running surfaces and prime any bare timber.
The existing cords and beads are replaced with modern improved sash cords, and we check the counterbalance weights and pulleys, making any adjustments needed.
Let's bring your windows back to life
To find out how we can help bring all the classic period features of your homes’ sash windows back to life as well as repair them to prevent draughts and noise ingress. Contact our small team of highly skilled craftsmen on 0800 197 0129 or fill out the form on our contact page and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Draught Proofing
Draughty sash windows are a common problem in period properties, typically caused by gaps between the sashes and the frame that develop as timber moves over time. Fitting a draught-proofing system closes those gaps without affecting the appearance or operation of the window.
We fit an unobtrusive system that eliminates draughts, reduces outside noise and stops rattling, while allowing the sashes to continue sliding freely. Draught proofing can be carried out as a standalone service or as part of a wider repair or refurbishment.
Double Glazing
Single-glazed sash windows can be upgraded to double glazing without losing the period character of the window. We replace single-glazed sashes with double-glazed units that retain all the original period features including the moulding designs.
Our double-glazed sashes are available in hardwood or softwood and use warm edge technology to maximise thermal performance. This service is available as part of a repair or as a standalone upgrade.
Window Security and Glass
Cracked or broken glass is a straightforward repair, and we work with a wide range of glass types including clear float, laminated, toughened, crown, obscure, patterned and sealed units.
Most buildings and contents insurers now require key-operated locks on sash windows rather than the original centre catch alone. We supply and fit a range of lock options and traditional centre catches in a choice of finishes, fitted to your windows by our craftsmen.
Window and Door Hardware
Where possible, we re-align and reuse existing original catches, preserving the fittings that suit the age and character of the property. Where replacements are needed or preferred, we stock a range of traditional and modern window fittings in a variety of finishes, including window catches and locks.
We can also source hardware for casement windows and doors, making us a single point of contact for period window and door furniture across a property.
Decoration and Finishing
All repaired and refurbished windows are left prepared and ready for decorating. Rotten timber and failed paintwork are removed and made good, and all bare timber is primed before we leave site.
How a Sash Window Repair Works
Every job begins with a proper assessment. Here is what to expect from first contact through to completion.
1. Free Survey and Assessment
Mark or a member of the team visits your property to assess the condition of each of your windows in person. There is no charge for the survey and no obligation to proceed.
2. Repair Carried Out
Depending on the nature of the repair, work is carried out at your property or at our joinery workshop in Surrey.
3. Completion: Windows Primed and Ready
Once repairs are complete, all bare timber is primed and the windows are left prepared and ready for decorating.
Repair, Restoration or Replacement: Which Do You Need?
Sash Window Experts firmly believes that replacement should only ever be considered as a last resort. In most cases, original timber sash windows can be repaired or restored to full working order.
Repair: is the right choice where problems are localised: a broken sash cord, a decayed sill, a draughty frame or a stiff sash. Targeted repairs address the specific issue without disturbing the rest of the window.
Restoration: suits windows that need more than a single repair, where multiple elements benefit from being tackled together as part of a single project. With regular maintenance, restored original sash windows can outlast uPVC replacements by many decades.
Replacement: is considered only where a window is genuinely beyond repair. Where this is necessary, Sash Window Experts can manufacture new double-glazed sashes that replicate the original moulding and horn detail of the existing windows.
For owners of listed buildings and properties in conservation areas, uPVC replacement is often expressly prohibited. Our team can advise on what is permitted for your property and assist with any necessary paperwork.
Why Choose Sash Window Experts?
Sash Window Experts was founded with a single aim, to preserve the period windows and doors that give older properties their character. For over 30 years, that focus has not changed.
Our small team of skilled craftsmen works across Sussex, Surrey and Kent, carrying out repairs, restoration and replacement for all types of timber sash windows.
We carry out work both on-site and from our joinery workshop, depending on what each window needs. Every repair is assessed individually, and we will always recommend the most appropriate course of action rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.
For period property owners, working with a specialist matters. Sash windows require a specific understanding of how they are built, how they age and how they can be brought back to working order without losing the features that make them worth keeping. That understanding is at the heart of everything Sash Window Experts does.
Repairs FAQs
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What are the signs that a sash window needs repairing?
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The most common signs are sashes that stick or no longer slide freely, broken or frayed cords, draughts or rattling around the frame, visible rot or decay to the sills or timber, cracked or broken glass, and failed paintwork that is allowing moisture into the wood.
If you notice any of these, it is worth having the windows assessed before the problem develops further.
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Is it better to repair or replace a sash window?
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What is the difference between sash window repair and restoration?
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Can you repair sash windows in a listed building or conservation area?
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What can you do to improve the insulation of my sash windows?
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Do you need to put up scaffolding to carry out the work?
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Do I need planning consent for sash window repairs or renovations?
Our Latest Projects
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Arrange a No Obligation Survey With Mark
Hi, I’m Mark, owner of Sash Window Experts. I’d love to talk to you about restoring period windows. Please fill out the form or call me on 01403 602701 to arrange your FREE no obligation window survey and to discuss your requirements.
