Friday, July 22, 2011

Demonstrable Benefits Of Sash Window Refurbishment

By Peter Colwell


It could be you have seen something about sash window refurbishment but did not understand it. Maybe you know about them but not how they operate, or are supposed to. Perhaps you just wish yours worked better or never have seen one working as intended.

These have probably existed since at least 1658, beyond that we do not know. They were commonly used in Edwardian, Victorian, and Georgian style homes in England. A double panel version, with both top and bottom movable panels, became quite popular in the United States. Lately they have become less so with increasing use of air conditioning systems. It has become common for many windows to be designed not be open-able at all.

These efficient devices are superior in performance and provide healthier air. Having a top panel that opens downward and a bottom panel which will open by raising, openings at two different heights are created. This results in a natural circulation of air in the room. Hot air rises toward the ceiling and finds its way out the top. As it leaves the room it draws cool, fresh air into the room from below to replace it. This cooler air stays near the bottom of the room and acts to force warm air out the top.

So in effect, a naturally operating circulation occurs, without an electrically powered, mechanical forced air system. This saves energy as well as wear and tear costs on the heating and cooling system. In this way maintenance or replacement costs are minimized or postponed.

Many people are justifiably concerned about outdoors air quality. They may not know that indoor air quality in an average home can be seven times worse than the outside air quality. The reason for this is simple. The construction materials used in the home, paneling, carpeting, drywall, and paint contain numerous toxic chemicals like formaldehyde which constantly out gas into the air. Furniture materials, pesticides, chemicals used for household cleaning, so called air fresheners, perfumed body care products and scented candles further degrade air quality.

New homes are especially hazardous. Many of these chemicals are depleted in the first two years after construction, and filtered from the building through the lungs and bodies of the inhabitants. Exposure to small amount of chemicals may appear to not have any observable effect on someone's health. The cumulative effect, however, can be drastic.

Many of the toxins never do leave the body and as the toxic load a person is carrying builds up it will eventually cause the body to be unable to cope any longer. Chronic and sometimes mysterious health problems will begin to crop up. They may never be associated with the conditions in the home.

The level of individual toxins could be insignificant but the cumulative effect of hundreds or thousands can have a major effect on the inhabitant's health. Buildings that are sealed tightly and recirculate the same toxic air can have dangerous buildups of harmful chemicals. Air conditioners will not filter them from the home. Sash window refurbishment to make those windows work properly can be a step in the direction of creating a healthy environment at home.




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