Stage one involved removing all existing ironmongery, both top and bottom sashes, draught-proofing, weights and rope. The existing sashes were then sanded down and re-fitted along with new draught-proofed parting beads with integral brush strips and baton rods.

Stage two was slightly different. It still involved removing all existing ironmongery, sashes, weights and rope but extra care was to be taken when removing the parting beads for the curved sashes as these were to be re-used. There was extensive rots in all the exterior fascias and all the original mouldings were badly decaying. Our workshops manufactured new mouldings to match the original details and the upright fascias were replaced with new timbers. All structural rotten timers were also removed.  The sashes were then re-fitted with the top sashes being fixed in place and the bottom sashes fully operational for future maintenance.

All 7 windows were then fitted with high quality Brass ironmongery and painted both internally and externally. Exterior painting had to be done extremely carefully so that all joints were sealed to the weather. For the duration of the project a scaffold was in place. This is very rare when working with sash windows but due to the extensive fascia work it was required for safety purposes and to ensure that all rot was attended to.

On the first floor, three of the casements were extensively rotten so full replacement was the only option. Five further windows were fully refurbished.

After much consideration our clients opted to go for manufacturing in 6mm single glazing. Fully operational shutters were in place in the property, so single glazing was a possibility. Shutter sets offer very high insulation levels, sometimes better than double glazing alone.

The sash and case replacements were  a like for like replacement , keeping the architectural detail of the building as it was designed. We then manufactured a double glazed, two over two style window in the bathroom, extra insulation was a requirement in this room and condensation is quite often a problem.

The first floor also had a beautiful arched window which needed extensive restoration works but,  fortunately was fully salvageable. After being removed, sanded and the joints reglued, the window was then reinstalled. New ironmongery was fitted and it was then fully repainted.  These refurbished sash windows are now just as good as the new ones we manufactured, the rot has been cut out and replaced, and the windows will now last for many years. Painting is the only real long term maintenance issue after a window refurbishment is carried out.  The previous owners had neglected the paint work and that was the reason the windows had deteriorated so much, and the rot had been allowed to get so bad.

Angled Dormers

New Windows on first floor

The attic floor was an entirely different project . Two double and two treble dormers with angled side windows. Because these windows were so exposed and did not have shutters we opted to manufacture double glazed windows. The central windows were manufactured first and our fitters installed these. We could then get exact templates for our workshops to manufacture the side windows ensuring a perfect fit . This is particularly important with angled dormer windows as they obviously need to be 100% waterproof around the flashings. The fascias were fully overhauled and painted thoroughly – because of their exposed position dormer windows need to be effectively painted to stop water ingress which can lead to rot creeping into the structure of the roof..

New Angled Dormer

New Angled Dormer

Briarbank Terrace is situated in the Shandon colonies. The original sash and case windows had all been removed from this property and replaced with fixed glass panes.

Our client decided to reinstate the timber windows and a particular feature of the property’s windows were the curved tops, as seen in the adjacent pictures. Each curved top window is unique and templates were made on-site for each sash and case to ensure it matched the existing stonework.

To ensure the new windows were in keeping with the original style, we visited a neighbouring property which still retained their original windows and used these as a basis for the new windows. We took templates from the curved stone arches and our machinists then created each curved top by hand, to ensure a perfect match to the templates.

The use of traditional high quality ironmongery added to the traditional feel of the windows.  Our client has enhanced the original windows by upgrading to double glazed sashes – slim double glazed units were used to ensure that the over all visual effect of the windows has been maintained. The end result certainly meets the requirements of the conservation principles to restore and enhance the properties.

At the rear of the property we manufactured a double glazed French door set with a glazed fanlight for the rear of the property. Although French Doors are not an original feature of these properties – the astragalled glazed panels and detailing on the door ensure that it is in keeping with the building original style. The door was fitted with a heavy duty 3 part door locking system to ensure ease of use and security.

After

Before

Briarbank Terrace is part of the 19th Century housing development which is laid out like a fishbone known as Shaftesbury Park Colonies and is situated in North Merchiston in an area known as Shandon. These colonies houses were specifically designed by the Edinburgh Co-operative Building Company to provide housing which, unlike tenements developments, gave families their own front door and garden. In Shandon, the original doors and windows, including their detailing, materials and method of opening make a significant contribution to the historic and architectural character of conservation area.

“Edinburgh Sash and Case fitted our windows to extremely high standards. The team that completed the job were friendly, polite and always respected our home. They tidied up at the end of each day and often went over and above their remit to ensure we were not inconvenienced at all.

Any questions or worries we might have had were always quickly answered by either the team at our house or Collette in the office. In fact, the company directors even turned up on a couple of occasions to ensure that everything was going well. We researched the market thoroughly before we hired Edinburgh Sash and Case – and we are very glad we did. We are delighted with the finished job. And we have already had a number of admiring comments from our neighbours.”

- Claire Laing