History of the House

The Building Restoration - So far...

Case Study

	Inappropriate windows can seriously change the appearance of a period building to its detriment.

The Windows of Wheathills

The impact on a period building when inappropriate windows replace the originals can be devastating.

At Wheathills the worst windows were replaced with copies of the originals as soon as possible. New sliding sash windows were copied from original existing first floor windows made around 1810, which have fine moulded glazing beads and are tenonned into the frame and each other.

The glazing beads of period windows are very narrow, and are the essential detail of any replacement sash.

All of the new windows have been hand built in the Wheathills workshops within the building. The hand worked techniques used in those days have not changed much over the years - only electrical saws and routers speed the process today.

	Block Planes are used to create the desired contour.

Hand finishing with hand tools such as chisels and block planes is the best way to achieve the high quality appearance of original sash windows and to avoid softening of detail, such as quirks and the shaped edge of a mould the window is finally hand sanded.

Preparation of the timber and removal of tool marks is critical to create the desired finish.

Once all the joints have been formed and trimmed, the frame can be assembled dry in order to check the quality and accuracy of each component and joint.

Because the joints are true, the window can be assembled without glue or cramps and when the Cabinet maker is satisfied, each window is glued together with reversible animal glue as originally used.

	Constructing the window frames dry and without glue enables the Cabinet Makers to check accuracy of their joints.

Each window is fitted with stainless steel screws from the inside and plugged, so in the event of an accident they could be removed with little damage. When complete the window frame is fitted and the hand-made glass panes are puttied in and secured.

In total there are over 33 traditional sash windows to replace or repair. To complete the window stage of the restoration programme much more work is yet to be done - fitting the appropriate hand-made brass fittings, parts of the mortar joints, and making good of the window sills.

The finished window.