New sash& case windows fitted- problems?

chickalittle wrote: »

Thanks Imho - I haven't made the balance of payment yet. Its more that I wanted some advice about what to look for to ensure the fitting is corrrect before I do pay. Whether a gap - even if it's only a small one between the lower sash rail and the sill might allow drafts? and whether it's normal to have some movement in the window as I described, which might lead to the window becoming "rattly" and drafty.

I know I can raise it with the fitters but if they say it's all fine and not to worry, I really don't know any better.

chickalittle wrote: »

Thanks Leveller. I've had a look at few You Tube vidoes so I know which parts you mean. The casement frames did have the weatherproof pile fitted but I need to look at the parting and staffing beads when I get home. I think I should be able to see them if they are fitted?

Yes, You should be able to see the weather pile between the sash stile (sides) and the part beads.I use a different type called a "bubble" which is made of foam with a PTFE coating that slides very easily ,cuts out the draughts but also paint doesn't stick to it. The downside to using brush seals is when the sashes/frames are painted and the sashes are slid up and down paint clogs up the brush pile. Having said that lots of companies still use it.

The gap at the bottom is the same all the way across.

Ok, If thats the case then either the bottom sash is kept up slightly by the draught excluder, so its doing its job.The other possibility is the weights in the pockets are slightly too heavy for the bottom sash and the weights pulling downwards lifts the sash up. I always make the weights for the bottom sash exactly the same weight as the sash and the weights for the top sash a couple of LB's heavier so the top sash fits nice and tight to the top of the head pulley stile (top of the box).

The movement I described on one side is that I can move the window in/out whereas on the other side the window it doesn't move at all when opening/ closing. Hard to describe but hope you get my gist! I'm just worried that this movement will become worse in time and that's when I will be back to having problems with loose/drafty windows.

If thats happening on the bottom sash then I would say they have pinned the staff bead a little tighter to the sash on one side than the other. It shouldn't be a problem ,as long as the sashes move up and down nicely,draught excluders fitted and fasteners are locking fasteners on any ground floor windows as most insurance companies insist on them being lockable you will be fine.

Are they double glazed?. They should work really nicely with the top sashes not dropping down at all and neither should the bottom sash.

chickalittle wrote: »

Hi Leveller,

I checked my staff & parting beadings and neither have any draft proofing on them. It only seems to have been fitted around the actual window casement itself. Is this something I should ask them to do - they did say the windows would be fully draft proofed. I think, having googled the draft proofing stuff that what they used was bubble too.

It sounds like they do the same as me which is fit the draught excluders to the actual sash rather than the frame,I think it looks more discrete and it works well.

Yes, they are whole new wood double glazed sash and case windows.

Double glazed sash windows work really well but they aren't cheap as you tend to need lead weights with them which is really expensive compared to cast iron.

I also looked more closely at the parting beading on the side of the window which I felt had some movement and I can feel that the parting beading is a bit looser than the other side. So I'm guessing if they tighten it up that will improve.

As long as the part bead isn't too loose that it comes out of the groove its fine.Part beads need to be machined just right.If they are too slack they can come out of the groove and the sashes won't work correctly, too tight and you can't get them out to fit the cords.

Many thanks for your help and knowledge!

You're welcome , I love making sash windows and get a buzz from knowing something I have made may well still be around in 100 years time..