Protecting heritage homes during the installation of sash windows

Whether your original timber sash or casement windows require maintenance – or you’re having sympathetic reproduction windows made to replace those beyond repair – a little disruption in your home is unavoidable while work is in process. There are a number of measures that you can put in place before work commences, which will make it easier for window installation teams to work quickly, tidily and efficiently.

While preparation is necessary in any home, with stately homes, listed buildings and historic properties, it’s paramount that any valuable features in the interior and exterior are adequately protected. From pieces of furniture to artworks and ornaments, we’ve pulled together a check list of how you can get your heritage property ready:

 

What you need to do to the interior:

 

1. Remove curtains and blinds

This may sound obvious, but taking down window dressings not only protects them from getting dirty or damaged, but it also gives our team the space they need to access your sash or casement window. If we need you to remove curtain poles, we will advise you of this at the survey stage.

 

Preparing-your-heritage-home-for-sash-window-installation

 

2. Clear space around the window

Our teams need approximately 2-metres clearance around windows to access frames, sash boxes and sills. If possible, move furniture out of the room – or at least please try to move it out of the way the best you can. If you have any valuable pieces, we would rather they were out of the room. Our team are as careful as possible not to make a mess but by the nature of our job, there is likely to be some dust created. We strongly advise that furniture is covered with dust sheets before we arrive.

 

3. Remove nearby pictures and ornaments

While our team are working on your window, we may need to access the side or top, requiring ladders. We would ask you to un-hang any pictures from walls or clear open shelves adjacent to your window – this ensures that anything precious is kept safe and clean.

 

4. De-activate alarms or sensors attached to windows

If your home alarm system is connected to your windows, please let us know at the survey stage. We will then advise whether you need to disconnect alarm sensors on the day we carry out your work.

 

And outside…

 

5. Trim back climbing plants

Windows may have climbing plants growing around the frames and sills. Our team will advise you before the date of your work whether we will need you to have these cut back to create access. It may be that you’ve been asked to arrange for scaffolding, so space at ground level may also be required, too – the could affect shrubs or planting, so please be aware.

 

6. Allow space for parking

Our installers will have transit vans so will require space to unload and park. Please advise us at the survey stage is parking is an issue around your property.

 

 

7. Create room for tools

If you can allocate an area for the installers to set up their tools, this will minimise disruption to your property. This could be in a garage, in part of your garden or in a spare room.

 

If you would like a free no-obligation survey of your timber windows or have work booked in and have any questions, don’t hesitate to call us on 0800 027 7454 or contact our team today.