Today factory-glazed fully-finished timber windows are almost commonplace, but 10 years ago it was a very different tale. uPVC was rampant and eating into the new build market, especially when the “maintenance free” card was played.

However, the Winchester Housing Group took a different view and during 1992 it constructed 162 units at Turnpike Down, an exposed site at Winnall and decided to use factory- glazed fully-finished timber windows, using a new profile system and all the latest glazing systems, seals and paints.

Whereas in the past it was considered acceptable to build raw timber frames into a building, as formers, for glazing and painting later, the industry knew that this caused performance problems; if paint is not applied all round, it breaks down quickly and hand brushed coats will never be as good as factory-applied. Glazing vertically in a variety of weather conditions is tough to do consistently and site practice relies on sub-contractors getting it right. Factory glazing ensures each unit is fitted to precise tolerances, using the proper materials.

Ten years on and one maintenance and redecoration programme later, the new technology is holding up as John Turner, estates manager for Winchester Housing Group, said.

“We have over 1,000 properties and a turnover of tenants of around 20% per year, so our housing gets an enormous amount of wear and tear.

Easy maintenance

“With our ongoing need for repairs we have to have doors and windows that can be easily fixed or maintained and that’s where timber is so good. We’ve had very few problems on this site and that’s probably due to the initial installation. Interestingly, the entrance and patio doors in the building are metal-clad and repairing these has proved problematic, whereas timber doors can be quite easily repaired.”

One tenant had fitted a catflap. “That means a metal door replacement, whereas with timber it would be one panel. The cost savings are substantial,” said Mr Turner.

A tour of the site reveals that paint erosion is more prevalent on exposed windows but where they were set into reveals, with a stone cill, the appearance is generally far better.

“External decoration is scheduled on a five-year cycle,” said Mr Turner. “We estimate that a total redecoration of this site would be around £80,000 including joinery repairs.”

&#8220We have to have doors and windows that can be easily fixed or maintained and that’s where timber is so good”

Winchester Housing Group estates manager John Turner

Some window units, including glazing, had not performed as well and Mr Turner has pieced together the reasons. “We’ve found they were not glazed the usual way, indicating that they were fitted later,” he said.

Colour choice

One other benefit that timber windows offer against uPVC is colour choice. Turnpike Down has a variety of window frame colours, from creamy yellow to white, and this gives distinct benefits.

“I can monitor our maintenance programme, checking where we’re up to and the standard of work, purely by the colour,” Mr Turner said.

Like all window systems, there’s no perfect answer and some bay window units and side hung casements in exposed areas show signs of decay, but the nature of these dwellings mean that ongoing repairs are needed, minimising problems.

“Timber is easy to deal with as window beads can be produced to match existing ones, whereas uPVC systems are specialist and locating parts can be tricky or expensive,” said Mr Turner. “If you need to change or improve an item in a uPVC system it’s very hard, whereas it’s easy with timber. Our tenants find it easier too, for hanging rails or attaching fixings.”

Focus on quality

So, what are the points the timber window industry could improve on? Focus on quality, not price is the straightforward answer.

“Timber windows are great and have many benefits,” said Mr Turner, “but some need to have harder wearing, practical handles, vents and restrictors, that are part of the system. You should advertise yourselves better too, so that my tenants believed what we all know, that timber windows are far better in the long run and environmentally friendly as well.”