Rev: April ‘17

HERITAGE RESTORATION

Old Chapel, 29 New Road,

Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 0NX

Tel & Fax 020 8560 1264

office@heritage-restoration.co.uk

www.heritage-restoration.co.uk

Welcome Letter

Thank you for the opportunity of preparing an estimate for works on your property, which we are

pleased to enclose together with details of the restoration process. In addition, some other

information regarding the service that we provide is given below.

General Restoration: Over time buildings ‘settle’ and therefore window frames can become

distorted, out of square and out of plumb (not vertical). It is not always cost effective to correct

these movements. Also timber, with time, can warp and bow meaning sashes will not sit as snug

in the frame as originally intended. It is sometimes necessary to adjust the sashes to align by eye

and as close as possible to true.

Re-Glazing: While replacing the meeting rails, bottom rails and glazing bars, every care will be

taken to retain existing glass. Should a fracture occur during repair works, we would of course re-

glaze.

Our System: We recommend installation of the HR Weatherseal System for which we offer a 10

year guarantee. We consider the system, which is unique to us, to be superior. Unlike a nylon

brush pile our system is impervious to paint and stain and therefore does not clog. It retains its

profile and does not become crushed with time. We pioneered its use some years ago and have

seen impressive results ever since.

Repairs: Firstly you should note that we have undertaken a comprehensive survey and have

costed for repairs in addition to general restoration, and the installation of a draught proofing

system if necessary. We hope that this will be useful to you and would like to emphasise that you

should ensure other contractors are including the same level of detail, especially with regards to

repairs, for the price quoted.

Pulley Wheels: Whilst carrying out the survey it is not always possible to determine the

condition of the pulley wheels. Should they need replacing it will be brought to your attention as

soon as possible.

Free After Sales Service: Should the windows become painted shut from the inside at any time

in the future we can return to free them. This service is available free of charge to our customers

and we strongly recommend that they are not forced open.

Rev: April ‘17

Additional Services:

Our price does not allow for remedial works to pointing, brickwork or plaster, although the

pointing between the box-frame and the brickwork is often loose prior to our attendance. Should

you wish, a separate estimate can be provided.

Box Sashes, Casements & Architraves. When installing new sashes or casement frames the

fitting of architraves has not been priced into our estimate. This work should be carried out

by an on-site carpenter, after the plasterer has finished making good and the plasterwork

has dried out.

Where meeting rail security pins exist we would strongly advise an alternative system as they can

impede the performance of any draught proofing system. For replacement windows prices do not

include locks or catches as we feel the choice of design is a matter of personal taste. We would be

happy to provide advice on the alternatives available for both these items.

Technical Data/Finer Points:

We believe that you will see considerable benefits following restoration and draught proofing

works. However you should be aware that at the junction of the two meeting rails and the parting

bead there is a potentially vulnerable area. With the HR Weatherseal system, we have re-designed

the physical structure of this junction to maximise draught proofing efficiency. In the case of

French doors and double casements at the very top and bottom where the two doors / windows

meet there may also be a very small gap. It is not possible to prevent this minimal percentage of

airflow.

We would also advise that any repairs (which will have been primed/undercoated by us) should

receive their final protective coatings as soon as possible to ensure your windows benefit from

maximum protection.

In the case of fitting sealed units to either existing or replacement windows it is not always

possible to fit conventional catches. For works consisting of security and/or draught proofing only

our prices are subject to VAT at 5%.

On the subject of replacement joinery, as per general practise, unless otherwise instructed all

joinery will be primed and undercoated in readiness for the decorators to apply subsequent

finishing coats.

Fensa certification: If you require Fensa certificates (evidence of thermal properties), for instance

for the sale or future sale of your property, this can be provided through application to your Local

Authority Planning Department. BEFORE the old windows are removed. We can assist in this

matter. Repairs and/or glazing only are exempt.

If you would like to discuss the estimate we can be reached via the office number above or on our

mobiles - 07734 599400 (Edward) or 07734 599401 (Kevin).

We hope the above is helpful and look forward to hearing from you.

Yours Sincerely,

Edward Davidge & Kevin Donhou

www.heritage-restoration.co.uk

HERITAGE RESTORATION

The Restoration Process

1. The existing staff beads and parting beads will be stripped out and taken away.

2. The sliding sashes are checked for fit in the box and any lateral movement corrected

when the sashes are removed. If there is excessive movement there may be a charge

for its correction.

3. The sliding sashes are then removed and both they and the box frame will be cleaned

of excessive paint build-up and refitted as required. At this stage any loose putty will

be hacked out and replaced, whilst making sure fracturing does not occur in the glass.

4. The meeting-rail of the bottom sash is then machined and the HR Weatherseal

draught proofing system installed using Schlegel products Q/L 48650 & 48750.

5. The sashes are then replaced and checked for balance and ease of operation, sash

cords / spiral balances having automatically been replaced. Similarly, minor re-

balancing of sashes is included, but should the weights be missing or out of balance,

this will be rectified using purpose made lead weights. We would like to point out

that extra weights are often required and it would be prudent to allow for this

when budgeting for the works to be carried out.

If you have chosen to fit double glazed /sealed units, the weight of the sashes will be

almost doubled. Depending on the height of the boxes, the sashes may not open fully.

Using purpose made lead weights for re-balancing would minimalise the loss of

travel.

6. New timber staff beads and parting beads - previously made specifically for your

windows with HR Weatherseal already installed - will be fitted. The new beads and

any new timber used for repairs will be primed and undercoated. We will not attempt

to paint new putties, as this is not good practice until the putty has hardened naturally.

New putties should not be painted before at least ONE WEEK has elapsed.

7. Nail holes will be filled and paintwork touched in with undercoat.

8. The removal of loose and flaking paint is not part of our service, neither is the

preparation or painting of box frames or sashes. This is normally carried out by

specialist decorators.

9. Any major joinery repairs will normally be evident at the time of the survey and these

will be shown in our estimate. Once the painted surfaces have been disturbed and the

decayed timber excavated, should these repairs prove to be more extensive then

additional charges will be made for these repairs.

The surveyor will not try to open windows that are painted/sealed shut, and will

not disturb or probe painted surfaces unless decay is suspected. Such items will

be noted on the estimate. It is impractical to estimate costs for unsurveyed works

as it involves greater levels of scrutiny and, usually, dismantling. Inevitably this

means commencing actual repair works to ascertain costs.

Important Reminder

BURNING OFF & PAINTING WINDOWS

The Draft Proofing System is extremely vulnerable to heat, therefore when burning off paint great care must be taken. A heat proof shield MUST be used between the heat source and the Draft-Proofing System.

However should the sashes become painted shut from the inside, we strongly recommend that they are not forced open but are released by running a thin plastic implement - i.e. something similar to a credit card - around the perimeter of the window.

I cannot emphasise enough the importance of applying the finishing coats of paint to any repairs we have made as soon as is feasibly possible. Please note that new putties should not be painted before at least one week has elapsed.

If the windows are forced open, the draught proofing gasket will be damaged; likewise if a sharp instrument is used. If the gasket is damaged in any way the draught proofing system will need to be replaced incurring extra costs.

We can provide plastic spatulas upon request – for use as mentioned in releasing sashes from the inside that have been painted shut.

www.heritage-restoration.co.uk

www.heritage-restoration.co.uk

HERITAGE RESTORATION

Acoustic laminated glass

I have studied recent developments in acoustic laminated glass and the following is a summary of my

research.

Noise reduction is a complex science with flexible data depending on the noise levels to be addressed.

A typical residential road could be measured at 60 decibels, an average which can rise to 75dba, with

music from public houses or simply a late night raised level of conversation or shouting.

The recommended noise level for a bedroom is 30 - 40dba, resulting in reducing the existing level by

some 35 - 40dba.

I list the alternatives that are available and their respective levels of noise reduction according to

Pilkington Technical Performance details.

Noise Level Reduction: dba.

Sliding Sashes glazed with 4mm Float Glass, without Draught proofing system. Approx. 20

Sliding Sashes glazed with 4mm Float Glass, with Draught proofing system. 27

Sliding Sashes glazed with 6.8 Optilam Phon, with Draught proofing system. 35

Sliding Sashes glazed with 8.8 Optilam Phon, with Draught proofing system. 37

Sliding Sashes glazed with 10.8 Optilam Phon, with Draught proofing system. 38

I would like to bring to your attention that the human ear would only just detect a fluctuation of 3dba at

these road traffic sound levels.

I should also state that though I have experience in the installation of Thermal and Acoustic systems for

traditional doors and windows, I am not an acoustic engineer.

Edward Davidge

Kevin Donhou