About my work

Sash Window Service. com    Martin J. Sullivan
  Member of London Guild of Craftsmen (Yeoman of Wheelwrights)  .
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As a former wheelwright, accuracy and attention to detail are most important.
For me, the correct shape moldings on glazing bars are as critical as the correct choice of timber for the job.

Some of the oldest historic windows in the UK were built from Douglas Fir. This wood has shown itself to last about 150 years. Modern fast growth woods might last around 15 years. In selecting your joinery company, do ask which wood will be used. We use choice woods for good reason.  However, should you think replacing your replacements every 15 years is entertaining or somehow cheaper, we will be happy to provide this detail at no extra cost (!). 

We can fit "Brush-Glide" draft-proofing and ensure exactness and  precise fitting. This is a popular product and we supply a lot of it. 

There are instances where following building movement, earth-quakes or hurricanes, the window might now be out of "true."   So as to regain correct function, we can be very exact in the fitting of the brush glide  product so as to adjust the sashes back to "correct" and regain their original working operation.  
The feedback from customers who have had this product installed is amazing and their references are available for examination and contact.
Some houses have very elaborate design and building quality, therefore I work to complement the original style.  Again and again, I have restored old windows previously considered "written off"  back into superb working operation.
Sometimes, curved bay windows can present some interesting challenges.  This one had two heavy H section steel joists running inside the frame work. Much careful work was needed to retain the original fabric and at the same time replace all the sash cords.

The building is of great importance to the city of Augusta, Georgia and is in the process of being restored. The house was originally owned by the proprietor of a local joinery shop and mercifully survived the great fire of 1905. 

See photo below.


Curved bay window before restoration.


Craftsman built historic homes
The Peoples Building.

This building required new window cills, frame and sash repairs. The draught-proofing was essential and its efficacy was very noticeable on the upper floors once installed.

When gale force winds blew against these sixth floor windows, the draught-proofing made a slight "click" as it stopped the 85 mph heavy gusts that came from the Cooper River and Atlantic Ocean.  

As an aside, because we worked above Broad Street, which is one of  the main tourist streets in Charleston, South Carolina, there was NO ROOM for accidents whatsoever. 
Details matter.

Details like vacuuming out the dirt from the window weight access pockets might seem trivial, but this is done so the next painter with a heat gun does not generate a spark that could ignite the dry hidden kindling inside the window frame. The hollow window frame is a natural chimney. and the first indications of a fire will be only when the roof space is very much alight. 

I personally brought this to the attention of the National Trust and hopefully will be remembered for "details that matter."  My single observation might provide a reasonable explanation for quite a few mystery fires in some very well known (former) stately homes.
Peoples' Building. Charleston. Pocket exposed.

Although I normally work alone, sometimes I do need help, and this project was no exception. Some of my former employees have gone on to start their own window restoration companies. However, if required, many of them are happy to be called back where job size has required more than one set of hands. 
Here was an interesting job.

We came to this job with no less then five types of sash cord. This Grade Two stately home required reinforced Hessian-based sash cord and that we did not typically carry. We spent all afternoon looking for the correct cord before returning and worked late to ensure a job well done.

The window is now so well-balanced it works with just one finger. 

We even went so far as to match the Regency paint.


We were asked to return to conduct further work on one of the largest "full wall" windows we had ever seen.

Corsley House. Wiltshire.

 


The old Wheelwrights workshop.
As mentioned, we did produce fine carriage wheels for working horse drawn vehicles. Sadly, due to excessive running costs and lack of customers, the old shop closed its doors. However, we retained all the specialist tooling, so it is hoped that one day we might re-open the doors and continue this rare craft as a non-profit operation..
 

Wareham in Dorset.
This is the window before.
Local builder price to have joiner replace part of bay £1700
 		 This is the same window after, and before our painting
Our total cost £350. and included a full window service.
 
Window in Lyme regis
Bay windows are not a problem.		 Many have been saved from replacement.
 
     
We often get asked to work in houses that require extra care, such as those where Thomas Hardy once lived, or currently owned by a well known personality. We always handle such matters with privacy and care and do not advertise the fact before or after the work has been completed.