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Why choose wood header

WHY CHOOSE WOOD

At The Sash Window Workshop, we believe that wood is the best option for windows and doors in period properties.

Which? Trusted TraderPeople often assume that double glazed windows need to be plastic, wrongly thinking that wood window frames are only for single glazed windows. However, most of the timber windows that we manufacture at The Sash Window Workshop are double glazed.

Wooden windows are made to last

Timber windows and doors are a lot easier to repair than plastic. Unlike plastic windows which will fade or discolour over time due to dirt and UV exposure, timber windows can be updated with a new coat of paint or staining.

If you choose Accoya wood, the maintenance is also not required as regularly as you may think. Depending on the location of your window or door, at The Sash Window Workshop we recommend you repaint your windows or doors up to every 8 years.

Warranties are also generally longer for timber windows and doors, with most plastic companies only offering a 10 year warranty. Our new windows and doors come with a 20 year joinery warranty, in addition to the 50 year anti-rot guarantee if Accoya, our preferred wood, is used.

Traditional Accoya Windows
Traditional Accoya Sash Windows

Environmentally Friendly

By using timber from sustainable forests, trees are planted to replace any that are cut down. This means that sustainably sourced timber is the most sustainable and the greenest choice of any window material.

Although plastic can occasionally be recycled it is normally downcycled or thrown in landfill instead. Unlike wood, plastic is also non-biodegradable.

The manufacturing process to make a plastic window also has a toxic impact on the environment. For every wooden window you install instead of a plastic window, you save around 160kgs of carbon dioxide (source: Heriot Watt University).

In a fire, plastic windows will melt, resulting in them give off dioxins and hydrogen chloride that can cause permanent respiratory disease.

Timber Windows and Doors help improve Energy Efficiency

Timber is a naturally insulating material. This means that timber sash windows, casement windows, and doors provide better thermal efficiency than their plastic equivalents, helping protect you from cold winters.

Timber is more Period Appropriate

Timber windows and doors can help retain the value of your period property. 82% of estate agents in a survey commented that retaining period features, such as timber windows, added value to a property (source).  Plastic timber lookalike windows and doors still often look like plastic close-up and will not feel like real timber.

If you live in an Article 4 Conservation Area or a listed building, plastic windows are unlikely to be approved as many conservation and planning officers demand authentic detailing and materials.

Plastic frames are also often thicker than timber frames, so you may get less light into your property and additional building work may needed to fit the window into a period property. This additional work could end up costing you more than you originally expected.

Replacement timber windows and doors allow you to retain the authentic traditional details, such as the style of glazing bars, joints and horns, with the same high quality performance that you would expect from a modern window.

Arched French Doors

Choosing wood for your windows and doors

When choosing wood for your windows and doors it is important to choose the right timber. View our guide on identifying the right timber for your windows and doors.

Are you looking to replace your windows or doors? In addition to sash windows, we also manufacture casement windows, fixed windows, front doors, stable doors, French doors, and bi-fold / sliding doors.

Contact us today to obtain a quotation for your windows or doors.

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