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Bygone Sliding Box Sash Window Details
The bygone collection, is a superb range of sliding sash windows, even competitors say our product is in a league of its own.
By listening to our clients, incorporating their ideas, and paying close attention to details, you can be assured that our products are virtually indistinguishable from the original timber sash windows, maintaining the character and charm of your property.
These are decorative extras below the top sash. Originally their purpose was to prevent the sash being pulled down too far and loosening the lead weights inside the box.  Today they are purely decorative, recreating the traditional appearance of box sash windows. unlike any other manufacturer these will not fade or discolour from that of the sash because unlike other companies these are not just firmly secured to the sash, not relying upon springs that often pop out! but are actually sculpted from the sash itself to iliminate any joins or weld lines
The Bygone collection is now available as a White Woodgrian effect PVC window or a standard matt white. 
This was perhaps the weakest part on old sash windows, as burglars would flick the latch with a butter knife! With a choice of colours from white to pewter, the key locking right and left handed claw cam provides all the strength required to deter unwanted visitors. 
As we know windows are not just for letting in the light, sometimes you may need to open them to move things such as furniture through a window, we have created split pivot bar technology so you can remove the sash without the need to tamper with the balance mechanism. this two part pivot bar system allows a DIY method to facilitate sashes to be quickly, safely removed and easily reinstalled.  
Traditionally, double-glazing companies have found the cheapest and easiest way to put Georgian bars on to windows. This is evident with most companies putting Georgian "canes" inside the two sheets of glass. They rarely look real and act as an immediate give away. Cheap to produce, but extremely dull and a very poor imitation of the real thing. The brilliant white bars never get rained on so at first they "may" look similar to the rest of your new windows, but in time they will shout out "DOUBLE GLAZING" as they stay brilliant white against the weathered feel of the rest of the window. That’s one way that cheap double-glazing can devalue your property! With our windows you have a choice. Internal bars, if cost is the only factor, however these do not look realistic. Or surface mounted, "real-feel", bonded astragal bars which add a third dimension to your windows, protruding from the surface of the glass the way the muntin bars did on the originals... creating depth, character and shadow lines. 
Goods in transit are liable to move about. It’s natural and impossible to prevent, be it movement in the factory, delivery vehicle or just the fitters installing the window. Not surprisingly then, sometimes the balance springs would slip off the "shoe" slide designed to connect the balance and sash together. When the balance slips off, it means a service call and the window being inoperable because only one side is being lifted. With every window of ours, the balances are held firmly in place with a retaining clip that once snapped into position locks the balance in place for life.  You will never need a service engineer to make any adjustments because the balances have become detached.
These are what make your sash windows work... just as the weights did in the original windows. Originally, on timber windows, the weight of the glass and sash was counterbalanced by a lead weight on the end of the cord. This meant that wooden windows would be easy to open (when not painted shut) and remain in the position required because the sash was the equal to the lead weights and so counter balanced. Little or no effort was necessary to move the sash because there is no friction between the sash and the frame, that’s why they were often drafty and rattled. Today, manufacturers have 5 basic types of balances to open the windows. Each is designed for a purpose and requires differing amounts of effort to raise or lower the sash...
Should you need detailed information, check them out at www.caldwell.co.uk Clock springs are exactly that. A little like a metal tape measure on its side, which unfolds when the windows are operated. Coupled with larger weights when required, they are used extensively in America for secondary or ultra lightweight windows. Tested to AMA (American Manufactures Association) they are not expected to exceed more than 3,000 opening cycles. Very competitive, but Caldwell refuse to import them into the UK as they are simply not sturdy enough for the UK market. Block and Tackle. Again, extensively used in the USA on small lightweight windows. A nylon cord approx 2mm in diameter, wrapped around a pulley system and encased in a three sided channel, these balances are not expected to exceed 3,000 cycles and, again, not imported to the UK by Caldwell. Wind-ups or Alumatilt. This is a lightweight continuous tube, encasing a twisted metal rod. These balances are sturdy, and competitive. However, because they need to be "wound up" they retain a twisted force throughout their, 5,000 cycles. This can lead to frequent adjustments normally demonstrated when a sash is opened and it drops a couple of inches by itself! A 2 year warranty is average for a product that is highly likely to require some adjustment through its life. Pre-tensioned Spirals or Ultralift. A smooth operating balance with the tension "factory set" or pre-tensioned. These sturdy balances, are designed for weights up to 28kgs. We have had these independently tested at the BBA to exceed 20,000 cycles (that’s over 25 years if opened twice a day). A 5 year warranty for this reliable, factory set balance is entirely justified. Double springs and spirals or TORSO. The Rolls Royce of balances! Designed by a Dutchman in 1946, they epitomise great engineering. Individually manufactured in 0.5kg increments (1lb), and tailored for perfect lengths, these balances have two springs; one wound clockwise, the other anti clockwise. So as a sash is opened, one spring is getting longer and the other compressing, getting shorter... counterbalancing each other for their entire life. This means they are immensely reliable. When being tested for a Post Office Counters project they exceeded 50,000 cycles or simulated 68 years life expectancy if opened twice a day (actually they switched off the machine after 180,000 cycles!). The Torso balance is the premier of all balances, perfect for any size of window, and as such is covered by a 10 year warranty.
Again, nothing standard about the brush piles being used. Our windows even has a brush pile with a special central plastic strip designed to retain its shape far longer than less costly piles, and increase the resistance to draughts by 30% extra. 
 In today’s homes, it is vital to get good ventilation.We live in sealed boxes. This can lead to breathing difficulties, stuffy poor air quality and above all a lack of oxygen. Original box sashes provided "natural background ventilation", these were known as draughts! Architects and Local Authorities suggest that vents should be added to ensure the air is freshened regularly, however they recognise and approve two stage keeps in lieu of trickle vents. This is great news, as these keeps are far less unsightly than vents and don’t detract from the authentic appearance we stride to achieve. Remember sash windows are the most efficient at changing air than ANY other style of window. Why? - because of convection. As warm air rises, it draws cooled (heavier) air into the room from outside which pushes the warmer, lighter air higher. This circulation is very efficient and is only provided by sash windows. By fully opening top and bottom sashes, this style of window will replace the average room of air every 20 minutes... keeping the room fresher, cooler and improving breathing whilst you’re asleep!
Old sash windows do not have any seals, they relied on the wood being manufactured to a snug fit. Unfortunately over the years they warp or swell, or get painted shut or have bits planed off so they end up rattling and draughty. Modern materials are expected to retain their shape forever, not needing to be planed or painted and the window sections are extruded with small retaining channels for brush piles to be inserted around the edges of the sashes. Wind however finds any weak spots! That’s why when we test our windows in extreme conditions (our windows are installed in the Lands End Hotel and Outer Hebrides) and we find a soft spot, we go on to invent a solution... in this case foam baffles.  Every window of ours is then fitted with these as standard, irrespective of where in the country it’s being installed.
A 3 sided construction that is welded at the top corners. Where the two frame jambs join the cill, most window manufacturers will apply a wet silicone seal to help prevent leaks or moisture ingress through your frames. This can be risky as sometimes the windows are moved before the silicone sets... or even worse; it is forgotten to be applied. You won’t know this has happened until you see damp patches on the internal walls around your window frames! This cannot happen with our windows.
 Whilst astragal bars recreate the original feel of bars, of the companies that fit them, most rely on adhesive tapes to keep them in place, but consider this...
 Our window is again unique. The clever, patented design of interlocking the bars where they meet, together with unique Georgi-clips (again patented to our company), mean that each bar is continuous and cut the full size of the sash. The bars then interlock with each other and are securely attached to the glass at each end. In other words, they are taped, interlocked and clamped onto the glass surface, belt bracers and a piece of string…so confident are we with this technology that we’re happy for you to open and close the largest of our sashes using the bars... they wont come off.
These are devices that prevent a window from opening beyond 100mm … particularly useful for children’s bedrooms. It is possible to use cheap nylon versions that sit proud of the profile, as other manufacturers do, but these bespoke metal limit stops are custom to the bygone collection; we even counter sink them into the the pvc to reduce wear on the brush pile to keep it working effciently, smothly and preventing drafts over the many years you will enjoy your window. Just in case you’re wondering why there are two limit stops on your windows unlike many other manufacturers, this is because experience has shown that fitting just one will, over time, cause the lower sash to twist. Constant banging of the lower sash against the limit stop forces the lower sash into a trapezoidal shape, loosening the glass setting blocks, which leads to the glass becoming loose in the sash. By fitting a pair of limit stops, any force from banging the sashes is equalised, actually keeping the sashes square for the life of the window and aesthetically balancing the appearance of the window.
The pole eye is fitted to the centre of the top sash (hook and pole can be supplied if required). Alternatively a D-Handle can be fitted to the outside of the underside of the top sash. Scroll handles are fitted to the bottom of the bottom sash (please check with the installation team they are positioned as you require them, both for operational use and to suit the Georgian Bar pattern).  
Most extrusion companies who design and profiles will recommend that your sashes be fully reinforced. This is to prevent deflection in windy weather and to strengthen the sashes so they are capable of carrying the weight of the glass, and providing a strong secure fixing for the handles, latches, and other components. Sadly, not everyone complies with these rules, and some companies will reduce costs by removing this unseen reinforcement, or only using it very sparingly, which could leave you with a bill for repair... worse still cause an injury. EVERY piece of sash on our windows has a length of reinforcement that is a full 1.5mm thick... not the 1-1.2mm that is sometimes offered by by others. This gives you much improved strength, greater safety and is the reason why our windows are substantially heavier than most others... they are simply built to last.
Particularly large sashes cannot be allowed to tilt for cleaning, as the sash is simply too heavy, exceeding the maximum permissible weight to be tilted safely. Unbelievably, in these circumstances, many companies fit nothing at all! If lighter sashes can be dangerous, then those which exceed the limits could cause very serious problems. That’s why uniquely, on every Bygone window that exceeds the safe size for the standard easy clean, tilt restrictors, a short pair of safety stays are fitted. So if large windows are accidentally opened they remain vertical, unable to damage anyone or anything. You’ll find we are the only manufacturer to fit safety stays, which are a shorter version of the tilt restrictor and although they do not allow for cleaning, they WILL prevent accidents.  
 All modern sash windows are designed to tilt inwards to ease cleaning. Short spring loaded "bolts" engage the sash behind the frame section.Most are just plastic, not very strong and sometimes half moon shaped, a bit difficult sometimes fiddly or cumbersome to operate. Not with our windows. Again these latches were specially designed for us, being steel reinforced! The rounded shape of the knob matches that of the cam catches to enhance the beauty of the finished window.
Tilt restrictors are metal side arms, made from stainless steel, that allow sliding sashes to be tilted for cleaning safely. With sashes often weighing over 40lbs in weight, it’s vital that a pair of stays are fitted to each sash, both top and bottom. Some companies will save costs by fitting tilt restrictors to the lower sash only... or by fitting just a single tilt restrictor to each sash. This is a false economy, as a pair of tilt restrictors on each sash provides double the safety for you, as without them there is a risk that sashes could crash into the room. Some tilt restrictors are extremely sharp, acting as scissors on the brush pile and therefore reducing the effectiveness of the pile and allowing air to create drafts. On our windows, the edges have been especially rounded to ensure the tilt restrictor will roll past the brush pile, leaving the pile to do its job... preventing drafts.
We want you to be safe, that’s why we add a warning label to every window. Windows have tilt restrictors or safety stays, but a newcomer may be surprised to find they tilt inwards, its far better to be safe than sorry!
If you would like a copy of these details to refer to please take a look at our Glossary of Terms section. To find your nearest individually selected installer, please go to our Find a Sash Window Installer page. Please feel free to read our privacy statement, or our non harassment policy. |
© Masterframe Windows Limited.
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With most companies supplying sash windows, little attention is given to sightlines... how a window is framed in an opening. 
You see, most PVC frames incorporate a recess, which means the lower sashes are in fact 20mm wider than the top ones. If the same profile is used top and bottom, it creates a step, which unbalances the window, especially if Georgian or Victorian patterns are being used.