Modern manufacturing processes for wooden sash windows have not changed all that much over the years, since custom work dominates this field, whether the units come from a national company like Sears or a local woodworking mill. There are standard window sizes which are available as well from building supply houses and online sites.
Wood has more insulating qualities than metal, is considered more decorative as an architectural element, and is the most traditional material. Wooden sashes, which consist of one or more panels that move vertically, began to replace casement windows (hinged on the sides and swinging outwards) in the early 18th century. The elegant architecture of the Georgian period in England and the Colonial days in North America has led to a preference for sash windows up to the present.
Many of the premier makers of wooden windows are located in the United Kingdom and in Canada. Local mills and carpenters can also do custom replacements on site or from precise measurements. Some mills dating from the 1800s are still operating, with their original equipment still in use. Although there are some modern improvements in window making, many projects require exact replicas or reasonable facsimiles of the original windows, and the old technology has not been surpassed.
Of Course, there are standard windows for sale, made to modern specifications in a factory, that can be installed by homeowners or professional window installers. These windows fit many modern development houses and often are rated for energy efficiency, which can qualify the homeowner for tax credits.
Even quality reproductions, made unit by unit on demand, may have special porous paint that is waterproof, while allowing the wood to breathe out moisture for longer life. Panes may be single, or many set in wooden frames, and the glazing and caulking must be expertly done for years of weather resistance. New windows may be double glazed for additional insulation from heat, cold, and sound, or made with special acoustic or thermal glass. The traditional look of a classic home is preserved while the homeowner still gets the benefit of modern technology.
Even for those who must follow historic guidelines, who choose to retain the integrity of a certain style, or who can afford the cost of custom work can benefit from new advances in this field. New types of paint can be completely waterproof while allowing the underlying wood to breathe, or release moisture which, if trapped, would cause eventual rot. New types of glass can deaden sound, and double glazing (using two panes of glass with an air layer in between), will provide more insulation from both temperature extremes and noise.
Modern manufacturing processes for wooden sash windows are a mix of old technology and new, with the best of both offered for new construction or replacement.
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