A sash window or hung sash window is made of one or more movable panels, or "sashes".[A] The individual sashes are traditionally paned windows, but can now contain an individual sheet (or sheets, in the case of double glazing) of glass.
The oldest surviving examples of sash windows were installed in England in the 1670s, for example at Ham House.[1][2] The invention of the sash window is sometimes credited, without conclusive evidence, to Robert Hooke. Others see the sash window as a Dutch invention.[3] H.J. Louw believed that the sash window was developed in England, but concluded that it was impossible to determine the exact inventor.[1]
The sash window is often found in Georgian and Victorian houses, and the classic arrangement has three panes across by two up on each of two sash, giving a six over six panel window, although this is by no means a fixed rule. Innumerable late Victorian and Edwardiansuburban houses were built in England using standard sash window units approximately 4 feet (1.2 m) in width, but older, hand-made units could be of any size.
Mechanism and application
Exceptionally wide sash window (approximately two metres or 6.6 feet wide) in a pub in Bromyard, Herefordshire, England
Box sash window
To facilitate operation, the weight of the glazed panel is usually balanced by a heavy steel, lead, or cast-iron sash weight or counter-weight concealed within the window frame. The sash weight is connected to the window by a braided cotton sash cord, or a chain, that runs over a pulley at the top of the frame, although spring balances are sometimes used. Repairing a broken cord requires disassembling parts of the window frame.[citation needed]
The term "sash windows" is used interchangeably with the term "box sash windows" in the United Kingdom, and frequently used to describe the same thing. Historically box sash windows are heavier and more stately in nature than modern sash windows, but both terms are used within the industry when referring to the same type of window.[citation needed]
The name "hung sash window", which is more usual in the United States than in the United Kingdom, typically refers to a double-hung window with two sashes that can move up and down in the window frame. These windows are commonly found in older buildings in warmer climates, as they promote airflow and are easy to clean. A significant advantage of double-hung windows is that they provide efficient cooling of interiors during warm weather. Opening both the top and bottom of a sash window by equal amounts allows warm air at the top of the room to escape, thus drawing relatively cool air from outside into the room through the bottom opening. A double-hung window where the upper sash is smaller (shorter) than the lower is termed a cottage window.[citation needed]
A single-hung window has two sashes, but normally the top sash is fixed and only the bottom sash slides. Triple- and quadruple-hung windows are used for tall openings, common in New England churches. Construction is usually of softwood,[citation needed] and these sashes were traditionally only single-glazed.
Simplex hinges
Sash windows may be fitted with simplex hinges, which allow the window to be locked into hinges on one side while the counterbalance on the other side is detached, allowing the window to be opened for escape or cleaning.[citation needed]
Glazing
The glass in old windows can be the very early 'plate' or 'broad' glass to 'crown' or 'cylinder'.[4] Old glass is recognised by its imperfections ('ream') which result in optical distortion. Traditional cylinder glass is still made, but other sorts of antique glass are no longer available.[citation needed]
Modern double-glazed sash windows are available. These may have true muntins or "glazing bars", or may imitate them by applying them to the surface of the glazing, giving the appearance of multiple small panes, whereas each sash consists of only one large double-glazed unit.[citation needed]
Issues
Traditional problems with solid wooden sash windows include rot, swelling or distortion of the woodwork[5] or rattling in the wind (due to shrinkage of the wood).[6] These problems can be solved by careful repair and the introduction of draught stripping. It is also a common problem for painters to paint the sash stuck. The sliding mechanism makes sash windows more vulnerable to these problems than traditional casement windows. Sash windows are relatively high maintenance, but offer advantages in return (style, aesthetics, abides by laws (relating to older houses and buildings), natural resources etc.). However, well-maintained sash windows should last generations without needing parts replaced. It is also possible to clean all the glass from within the building by sliding the two panes to different positions.
uPVC or vinyl sash windows have become available since the first PVC window frames were being introduced in Germany in the 1960s.[7] They have come to dominate the window industry with more than 50% of all window sashes being made of vinyl in the USA as of 2017[citation needed]. The waterproof nature of uPVC and ease of installation are also benefits. Problems with uPVC include durability and the environmental issues. Over time the plasticizer chemicals used to make vinyl sashes flexible evaporate leaving the material brittle and prone to breaking. Vinyl is also weaker than wood and aluminum sashes and requires extra support in large window openings. Vinyl is also used on wood windows as an outside cladding to protect the wood from the weather but allow the inside of the window to take advantage of the appearance of fine wood. Vinyl is also available in a large range of colours and textures although white is by far the most common. Vinyl is limited mainly to residential usage and low rise commercial due to its flammability and the toxic fumes it produces when burned. In the future fire rated versions of UPVC windows may be used in high rise construction, but currently flammability and toxic fumes are a significant obstacle.[8]
^Due to the word's etymology, "sash" (without -es) is an alternative plural form, now used mostly by professionals.
^ abLouw, HJ, Architectural History, Vol. 26, 1983 (1983), pp. 49–72, 144–150 JSTOR, BBC
^"The Gardens of Ham House". London Gardens Trust. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
^Jardine, Lisa: Going Dutch: How England Plundered Holland's Glory, Harper Press, 2008
^"Glass and Glazing". www.rmears.co.uk. 25 October 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
^Jackson, Albert; Day, Day (2009). Popular Mechanics Complete Home How-to. New York: Hearst Books. p. 181. ISBN9781588168030.
^"How to Fix Rattling Windows". SFGate. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
^"Life of a PVC-U window". British Plastics Federation. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
^"Building Code Commission Decision". Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
External links
Look up sash window in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sash window.
May 17, 2023
sash, window, sash, window, hung, sash, window, made, more, movable, panels, sashes, individual, sashes, traditionally, paned, windows, contain, individual, sheet, sheets, case, double, glazing, glass, sash, window, contents, history, mechanism, application, s. A sash window or hung sash window is made of one or more movable panels or sashes A The individual sashes are traditionally paned windows but can now contain an individual sheet or sheets in the case of double glazing of glass A sash window Contents 1 History 2 Mechanism and application 2 1 Box sash window 2 2 Simplex hinges 2 3 Glazing 3 Issues 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksHistory EditThe oldest surviving examples of sash windows were installed in England in the 1670s for example at Ham House 1 2 The invention of the sash window is sometimes credited without conclusive evidence to Robert Hooke Others see the sash window as a Dutch invention 3 H J Louw believed that the sash window was developed in England but concluded that it was impossible to determine the exact inventor 1 The sash window is often found in Georgian and Victorian houses and the classic arrangement has three panes across by two up on each of two sash giving a six over six panel window although this is by no means a fixed rule Innumerable late Victorian and Edwardian suburban houses were built in England using standard sash window units approximately 4 feet 1 2 m in width but older hand made units could be of any size Mechanism and application Edit Exceptionally wide sash window approximately two metres or 6 6 feet wide in a pub in Bromyard Herefordshire England Box sash window Edit To facilitate operation the weight of the glazed panel is usually balanced by a heavy steel lead or cast iron sash weight or counter weight concealed within the window frame The sash weight is connected to the window by a braided cotton sash cord or a chain that runs over a pulley at the top of the frame although spring balances are sometimes used Repairing a broken cord requires disassembling parts of the window frame citation needed The term sash windows is used interchangeably with the term box sash windows in the United Kingdom and frequently used to describe the same thing Historically box sash windows are heavier and more stately in nature than modern sash windows but both terms are used within the industry when referring to the same type of window citation needed The name hung sash window which is more usual in the United States than in the United Kingdom typically refers to a double hung window with two sashes that can move up and down in the window frame These windows are commonly found in older buildings in warmer climates as they promote airflow and are easy to clean A significant advantage of double hung windows is that they provide efficient cooling of interiors during warm weather Opening both the top and bottom of a sash window by equal amounts allows warm air at the top of the room to escape thus drawing relatively cool air from outside into the room through the bottom opening A double hung window where the upper sash is smaller shorter than the lower is termed a cottage window citation needed A single hung window has two sashes but normally the top sash is fixed and only the bottom sash slides Triple and quadruple hung windows are used for tall openings common in New England churches Construction is usually of softwood citation needed and these sashes were traditionally only single glazed Simplex hinges Edit Sash windows may be fitted with simplex hinges which allow the window to be locked into hinges on one side while the counterbalance on the other side is detached allowing the window to be opened for escape or cleaning citation needed Glazing Edit The glass in old windows can be the very early plate or broad glass to crown or cylinder 4 Old glass is recognised by its imperfections ream which result in optical distortion Traditional cylinder glass is still made but other sorts of antique glass are no longer available citation needed Modern double glazed sash windows are available These may have true muntins or glazing bars or may imitate them by applying them to the surface of the glazing giving the appearance of multiple small panes whereas each sash consists of only one large double glazed unit citation needed Issues EditTraditional problems with solid wooden sash windows include rot swelling or distortion of the woodwork 5 or rattling in the wind due to shrinkage of the wood 6 These problems can be solved by careful repair and the introduction of draught stripping It is also a common problem for painters to paint the sash stuck The sliding mechanism makes sash windows more vulnerable to these problems than traditional casement windows Sash windows are relatively high maintenance but offer advantages in return style aesthetics abides by laws relating to older houses and buildings natural resources etc However well maintained sash windows should last generations without needing parts replaced It is also possible to clean all the glass from within the building by sliding the two panes to different positions This section s factual accuracy is disputed Relevant discussion may be found on Talk Sash window Please help to ensure that disputed statements are reliably sourced August 2019 Learn how and when to remove this template message uPVC or vinyl sash windows have become available since the first PVC window frames were being introduced in Germany in the 1960s 7 They have come to dominate the window industry with more than 50 of all window sashes being made of vinyl in the USA as of 2017 citation needed The waterproof nature of uPVC and ease of installation are also benefits Problems with uPVC include durability and the environmental issues Over time the plasticizer chemicals used to make vinyl sashes flexible evaporate leaving the material brittle and prone to breaking Vinyl is also weaker than wood and aluminum sashes and requires extra support in large window openings Vinyl is also used on wood windows as an outside cladding to protect the wood from the weather but allow the inside of the window to take advantage of the appearance of fine wood Vinyl is also available in a large range of colours and textures although white is by far the most common Vinyl is limited mainly to residential usage and low rise commercial due to its flammability and the toxic fumes it produces when burned In the future fire rated versions of UPVC windows may be used in high rise construction but currently flammability and toxic fumes are a significant obstacle 8 See also EditWitch window FortochkaReferences Edit Due to the word s etymology sash without es is an alternative plural form now used mostly by professionals a b Louw HJ Architectural History Vol 26 1983 1983 pp 49 72 144 150 JSTOR BBC The Gardens of Ham House London Gardens Trust Retrieved 25 April 2015 Jardine Lisa Going Dutch How England Plundered Holland s Glory Harper Press 2008 Glass and Glazing www rmears co uk 25 October 2014 Retrieved 7 February 2016 Jackson Albert Day Day 2009 Popular Mechanics Complete Home How to New York Hearst Books p 181 ISBN 9781588168030 How to Fix Rattling Windows SFGate Retrieved 23 March 2017 Life of a PVC U window British Plastics Federation Retrieved 3 July 2017 Building Code Commission Decision Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs Retrieved 3 July 2017 External links Edit Look up sash window in Wiktionary the free dictionary Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sash window Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sash window amp oldid 1141863363, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
