A step-by-step guide to restoring sash bay windows in a period house

A step-by-step guide on how to restore sash bay windows in a Georgian house

Here we explain how to restore sash bay windows in a Georgian house.

Our clients Georgian period home needed its sash bay windows restored. We have worked on the restoration of many period houses around Dublin, Wicklow and Meath. As a result, we have over 30 years experience dealing with varying types of sash windows as each period house is different.

In this example, our client wanted to repair rather than replace the existing woodwork.

Step 1 – How to restore sash windows in a Georgian house

First, we exposed all cracks and potentially rotten wood. Then we injected any areas of the sash window that was rotten, with wet rot hardener, which creates a sound surface in which to fill. The best way to treat rotten wood in all period sash windows is with wet rot hardener.

Step 2 – How to restore windows in a Georgian house

Next, we primed the wood with aluminium primer to protect the wood and make sure the surface was prepared for epoxy filler. In most cases, raw exposed wood is treated with aluminium primer for maximum protection.

Step 3 – How to restore windows in a Georgian house

After this, we flush-filled all holes and cracks using an epoxy filler from Ronseal.

Step 4 – How to restore windows in a Georgian house

We sanded smooth and undercoated the filler once it was dry until it was solid white. This usually takes two to three coats and is finished in exterior hard gloss.

In some cases, it may be necessary to get our associates in to remove sash windows to free them up, and re-weight the sash windows to make sure they have smooth movement and do not stick.

Step 5 – How to restore windows in a Georgian house

To finish, draft excluding strips would be fitted to ensure no more drafts in the sash windows. Now the sash windows will be draft-proofed.