Specialist in sash windows can restore or replace with a perfect replica

One of the established craftspeople appointed by Team Force for a number of its projects is sash window restoration specialist David Humble.

Based in Morpeth, in the south east corner of Northumberland, David and his team offer a complete renovation service for traditional sash windows which leaves them looking and performing like new. 

Once renovated the windows benefit from a perimeter sealing system and the ability to remove the sashes quickly and easily so they can be maintained without the need of a ladder.

Says David: 'Our method of renovation leaves the old windows not just looking like new but with a performance to last! The perimeter sealing system is installed into the original window. This allows the original appearance to be maintained whilst virtually eliminating draughts, dust ingress and rattles and allowing the sashes to slide efficiently.'

As part of the sash window renovation and draught-proof procedure, all damaged or broken glass is replaced with either new or recycled antique glass. Old staff beads and parting beads are removed and replaced with new, while top and bottom sashes are removed and deglazed for repair work to be carried out. The sashes are then eased, adjusted, primed, reglazed and balanced. The pulleys are also serviced or replaced and new sash lifts, centre catch and further hardware is fitted as required.

Where new units are required, David supplies and fits the revolutionary Slimlite self-cleaning double-glazed sash window, which from any distance looks like single glazing.

According to the manufacturers: 'By using and maximising the latest technology it is possible to construct a double glazed unit with very small cavities or space between the glasses, with a 5mm perimeter seal depth and inert gas cavity to obtain U-Values to comply with Building Regulations and comparable or better than U-Values obtained by standard units with much wider cavities.'

The system caught the eye of Kevin McCloud of TV's Grand Designs. Kevin wrote in an article for the programme's magazine: 'So you would think that conservation officers across the land would rejoice at the news that it is now possible, after decades of research, to replace a cracked single pane of glass with a highly efficient panel of super-micro double glazing. A panel so finely detailed and slim (at 10 or 12mm thick) that it can be puttied into a Victorian sash or a finely carved Georgian lamb's-tongue glazing bar and not be noticed.'

Where the refurbishment of a window requires timber repairs, David turns to a product specially developed for renovation projects. The Timbabuild epoxy wood repair system was developed in 1998 for a large-scale repair and restoration project at Leeds City Council. It has since been used in many such projects, including a major renovation at the University of York.

David and his team used both the Slimlite sash window (pictured) and the Timbabuild wood repair system on Team Force's restoration project at Coquet Island.

Although David Humble's expertise lies in the renovation of sash windows in heritage properties, he also undertakes work on both domestic and commercial properties.

From their base the team are ideally suited to service properties in Northumberland, Newcastle, Sunderland and County Durham.

They offer a free, no obligation survey of the work required and each window is examined in detail to assess its condition so that an accurate quotation can be made on a window by window basis.

For further information vist www.davidhumble.co.uk.