Features

Done well they transform a window, however all too often companies fail to appreciate or inform their clients about the impact that internal canes will have on their installation.

Exclusive balance retaining clips lock balances in place for life! Masterframe only use top quality Torso II and Ultralift pre-tensioned balances.

Sash windows are generally comprised of two sliding sashes, each retaining a double-glazed, sealed unit.

On original sash windows, the sash was nothing more than a sliding pane, pegged open to stop it falling.

Heritage and Vintage sash windows come standard with a stylish and secure locking claw cam catch in a range of colour options referred to as the CC31.

Water has a knack of finding any weakness. Sash window joints are no exception; that’s why we invented adhesive foam pads that seal the joints between the cill and the window frame.

Victorians produced larger, thicker, and heavier sheets of glass so they incorporated sash horns to the underside of the top sash.

Traditionally, the lower rail of the bottom sash was made from 4″ or 5″ timbers, planned to about 100mm. This was substantially heavier (deeper) than the side members or mid-rail because it had to carry more weight than the upper sash.

The exclusive deep GRP cill is available as standard on the Vintage sash window is a beautiful feature designed to achieve the authentic appearance of an original 3” timber, useful for use in a Conservation Area.

In order to retain equal sightlines or occasionally to reduce the costs of an opening window, it is possible to make dummy sashes.

Sash windows need expert fitting; they don’t work very well if poorly installed. Unlike casement windows, there isn’t any coverage or overlap; airtightness comes from compression on the brush pile.

Most people push, pull, or lift their sash windows using the Georgian bars, not the handles, just watch yourself next time…

The visible mullion between windows in some cases can be as wide as 250mm, which is nothing like the slim mullions on original timber windows.

Carrying 40/50kgs for the next 20 plus years it is important that the connection between sashes and balance mechanism is robust.

Heritage and Authentic sash windows have the option of choosing diagonal welded joints.

We know you’ll care about authentic details as much as we do. Externally old wooden sash windows had putty glazing, which sloped back to the glass at an angle of 45 degrees, however many trade windows have an artificial, sculptured, or Ovolo leading edge.

Trade windows all have the same bead, Ovolo in shape. It’s designed for 4.16.4 (or similar 24mm) sealed units to be fitted, to look just like an original timber window.

All Masterframe sash windows can be tilted inwards to make cleaning easier and safer. 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.

All trade ranges have scroll handles. These are always supplied loose, as some clients prefer to leave them off; others have very specific ideas for where they should be fitted.

Extrusion companies who design window profiles recommend that sashes are fully reinforced with galvanised steel, to provide adequate resistance against burglars.

While we will produce straight, slide sash windows if asked, most clients request we make tilt and slide sash windows.

Tilt restrictors are metal side arms, made from stainless steel, that prevents windows from being dropped accidentally when being tilted inwards for cleaning.

This name is a registered Trade Mark that describes a unique and patented method of construction that produces traditional timber style butt joints both on the inside and the outside of the window.

These fittings prevent a window from opening beyond 100mm (until they are manually overridden) and are particularly useful for upstairs bathrooms and bedrooms.

If specified we can provide trickle vents for your windows. While new build insists upon some form of background ventilation, replacement sash windows don’t need trickle vents unless the original windows had them.

There is nothing much to worry about with our windows – it’s just the sashes we make can be very heavy and we’d like to remind you and your client of this before you try tilting them when cleaning.

When considering bargain prices, do ask yourself why? Companies who offer cheapest prices generally buy components based upon price too, and you end up with handles, cams, keeps, and release knobs in three or four different colours of brass, on the same window.

A Wood foiled finish replicates the painted grained effect of timber and is standard on all trade sash windows.