01 December 2025
Timber sash and casement windows form a key architectural feature of your home. They are timeless, elegant and full of character, but they do come with their own set of peculiarities.
At SashWise we have been asked many questions by homeowners about how best to look after their timber windows. Most of these have centred around ways to improve thermal performance, reduce draughts, prevent rot or the best ways to paint timber windows. But with two decades of experience in the timber window industry, we have been asked some strange, if not bizarre questions about caring for timber windows. Here are a few.
Having your timber windows a dark colour may cause the exterior surface of the frames to warm ever so slightly. But unfortunately, this heat gain will not transfer to the interior of the property. At SashWise we offer a range of services to improve the thermal performance of your windows and ultimately drive down energy costs. From simply draught-proofing your current windows through to upgrading to double glazing, please feel free to contact us to discuss what options may be the most beneficial to you.
You can, but it will be a long and arduous process, however, your electricity provider will be happy. Also heating cold glass too fast can in the worst-case cause cracking. Unfortunately, the cloth wins.
The best solution to the perils of condensation is to upgrade your timber windows to be double glazed. Please feel free to contact our experienced team at SashWise to discuss options for upgrading your timber windows.
In short, no! Food oils go putrid over time, can attract dust and even insects, ultimately damaging the wood. At SashWise we recommend using proper timber treats. See our dedicated webpage on 'Timber Window Finishes' for more information
Whilst not significantly detrimental to the wood, it is not ideal. Saliva whether human or animal contains enzymes that can slowly degrade wood finishes. Constant moisture, in the same way as condensation, invites mould and can cause the paintwork to crack and ultimately the timber to rot.
Freezing insects is theoretically possible in laboratory conditions, it is however, less practical in permanently installed windows. Should your windows exhibit signs of woodworm then this should be dealt with using a specific woodworm treatment.
At SashWise we offer a 'Full Restoration Service', wherein your original sash windows are fully stripped back, restored and painted throughout. Any woodworm would be correctly treated as part of this process. See our 'Full Sash Window Restoration' webpage for further details.
There are numerous DIY cling film products on the market that are designed to help improve insulation. It is often stated that 'timber likes to breath' but it is not in the biological sense. Applying these types of films to your windows will not suffocate the wood, and whilst they do offer some thermal benefit, this is negligible compared to the benefits of double glazing.
Upgrading your current timber sash and casement windows does not need to be a costly or disruptive process. Please feel free to call our experienced team at SashWise who will be happy to provide you with advice and guidance on a variety of double glazing options.
Here are some winter care basics for your timber sash and casement windows as recommend by us at SashWise.
Timber windows deserve care, attention, and maybe a little humour. While some questions might seem outlandish, they often stem from a genuine desire to look after and preserve an integral period feature of your home. So, keep asking, keep experimenting (safely), and keep your timber windows looking their best, and if in doubt contact our dedicated team at SashWise who will happily offer help and guidance.
