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Solid Oak Windows experiences please?
 Started by  Mew
 29 Jun 2009, 2:00 PM


Im a newby, just registered 5 minutes ago, so hello everyone.
 
Just bought a lovely old cottage in the village of Maer, Staffordshire. We're in the process of bringing it back to its former glory and want to replace its currentl old and past it oak windows with new double glazed argon filled solid oak windows.
 
We originally looked at the laminated oak option but found the price tag too hefty and personally I simply prefer the solid oak. My hubby however is concerned on the movement/leaking/airtightness of the solid oak as we will be investing heavily on insulation / dry lining the cottage to get it snug as a bug and he doesnt want the windows to leak air after theyve settled in and gone through a couple of seasons. The chap were looking at uses grade one european oak and is dry kilned.
 
I was just wondering if anyone has had any oak windows fitted recently and has ever come across a "leaky" (not leaking in water as im sure that wouldnt happen) but the drafty kind or whether the windows have been fine.
 
Ive had a look on the internet and cant really find much, which to my mind must be a good thing but if I can allay my hubby's concerns from first hand experiences this would be very much appreciated.
 
Many Thanks
 
MEW x
 
 
 
 
 
Top
mike7 (Guest)
Hi Mew - I had some windows (and external doors)replaced using kiln dried american white oak 15 years ago.
 
I had a problem in that the wood was too dry, and the frames had to be planed down to fit as the moisture content rose to its stable level. I'm no expert, but it seems the final moisture level will depend on your internal temperature and humidity amongst other things, so hard to predict.
 
The air tightness of the window should be achieved by minimising any gaps between the closing faces of the window and surrounding frame, and not by trying to have too small a gap around the outer edges of the window. That good fit is less likely to be affected by subsequent expansion or shrinking.
 
If I was doing it now, I'd look at seals that sit in a small rebate or groove on the closing faces, and on larger windows I'd consider more than one catch per window to ensure it is pulled shut tightly all round.
 
For some advice from people who really know their onions, try the Green Building Forum. I'd be interested in what they have to say, too. Cheers
Mike
 
tony
Try contacting "Biff" on the Green Building Forum he will help you out.
 
waldek
I represent one of the best timber window Polish manufacturers
I can come, take measurements, show catalogues, prepare quotation.
Waldek
 
daveg
daveg
There are a frew welsh companies offering laminated welsh oak windows. Contact Coed Cymru: http://www.coedcymru.org.uk/windows.htm
 
Shaunspl
Hi Mew, I am a joinery supplier and can manufacture any type of windows, the only downside of Oak is the maintenance, but good windows should not have problems with leaking, this would only be created by timber movement, which would be down to poor maintenance. I would be happy to give any advice.
 
We are also based in Staffordshire
 
Terry
Shaunspl - could you expand on your comment re the downside of oak being maintenance? What do regard as necesary maintenance and how should it be done correctly?
 
Shaunspl
Terry,
 
Most people like the oak to go silver/grey, were as this is actually the timber being damaged by the uv rays and the weather. Oak really needs to be treated every 12 months, if south facing less than that. There are many products from micro-porous to solvent based and mainly depend on the finish colour required.Micro porous coatings can be coat over coat, but the solvent based coatings sometimes need to be stripped before recoating.
 

   
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