Dunbar · Edinburgh & the Lothians
Sash Windows in Dunbar
Rattling, rotten or stuck sashes in Dunbar can often be replaced while keeping your original box frames, linings and architraves where the timber is sound.
- EH42
- Guide from £1,495
Double glazed sash windows for homes and businesses in Dunbar
Heavy double glazed sashes need matching weights. When single glazed sashes are swapped for double glazed ones in an existing box, the old weights are usually too light, so the glazier re-weighs each sash to stop it dropping or creeping up, and checks the pulleys can carry the load.
Sash windows that run smoothly need routine care: keep the pulley wheels free of paint, wax or lightly lubricate the running channels, check the cords for fraying, and repaint timber before bare wood shows. Draught brush seals in the beads and meeting rails reduce rattles and heat loss.
A traditional box sash hides cast-iron or lead weights inside the side boxes of the frame, connected to each sash by cords running over pulleys. Modern sash windows often use spiral or spring balances instead, which take up less depth and suit uPVC and some new timber designs without weight pockets.
Sash windows can be supplied as complete new frames, or as new double glazed sashes fitted into an existing sound box frame. Keeping the box retains original linings and architraves and reduces disturbance to plaster, but only works when the frame is free of rot and still square.
What a typical job includes
- Weights or balances set for smooth, even sliding
- Double glazed units, with safety glass where required
- Survey recording mouldings, horns, bars and box condition
- Removal of old sashes or frames and disposal
About Dunbar for this job
- Postcodes covered
- EH42 and the surrounding area, including Tranent, Eyemouth and Musselburgh
- Coast
- Dunbar is about 1 km from the coast or a tidal estuary, so salt air and wind-driven rain are worth planning for. Salt-laden wind and driving rain shorten the life of paint on exposed sashes, so coastal timber windows benefit from durable timbers, good factory coatings and regular inspection. Brass or stainless sash furniture resists corrosion better than plated steel near the sea.
- Daylight and sun
- In Dunbar the midwinter sun reaches about 11° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 6.7 hours of daylight, rising to about 57° and 17.3 hours in midsummer. Glazing bars and deep frames reduce daylight, so slimmer bars and high light-transmission low-E glass help north-facing rooms. Tall south-facing sashes can let in strong summer sun; the top sash can be lowered to vent warm air out at high level.
- Access and setting
- Older rural houses often have sash openings that are out of square, with soft stone or lime plaster around them, so each window is measured individually and fitted gently. Exposed sites benefit from draught seals and robust weatherboards on the bottom sash.
- Rules in Scotland
- Section 4 (Safety) of the Scottish Technical Handbooks covers glazing that people could collide with, such as glass in and beside doors and low-level glazing, where safety glass is needed.
Guide prices in Dunbar
| Typical job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| uPVC sliding sash, 900 × 1500 mm | £1,495 – £1,995 |
| Timber-effect uPVC sash, 900 × 1500 mm | £1,795 – £2,295 |
| Painted timber sash, 900 × 1500 mm | £2,595 – £3,295 |
Get a guide price for your size
Section 6 (Energy) of the Scottish Technical Handbooks sets the thermal performance that replacement windows, doors and rooflights should achieve.
Options to choose between
Tilt-in sashes
Sashes that tilt inwards for cleaning upper-floor glass from inside, and can help provide an escape opening.
Replacement sashes only
New double glazed sashes fitted into your existing sound box frame, keeping original linings, architraves and plasterwork.
uPVC sliding sash
Low-maintenance uPVC frames with sculpted profiles and optional woodgrain foils, suited to homes where planning rules allow uPVC.
Sash Windows in Dunbar: questions
How much do sash windows cost?
The cost of sash windows depends on size, material, whether you replace the whole frame or only the sashes, the glazing bar pattern, the glass and the finishing details such as horns and mouldings. Timber usually costs more than uPVC, and listed building work costs more again. See the guide prices for typical ranges; the written quote fixes your price.
Can I have double glazed sash windows in a listed building?
Sometimes, but listed building consent is needed for significant works, and some councils will only accept repair of the original windows or slim double glazing with matching details. Secondary glazing is often accepted where new windows are not. Speak to your council's conservation officer before ordering; we can provide drawings and specifications to support an application.
What maintenance do timber sash windows need?
Timber sash windows need periodic repainting, how often depends on exposure, orientation and colour, plus routine checks of cords, pulleys and seals. Keep paint off the running surfaces, clean the sills and touch up chips before water gets in. Factory-finished timber lasts longer between coats than site-painted joinery, but still benefits from yearly inspection.
Will double glazed sashes be too heavy for my existing frame?
Double glazed sashes are heavier than single glazed ones, so the box frame, pulleys and weights must cope. When new sashes go into an existing box, the glazier checks the pulleys and adds or replaces weights so each sash balances. If the box is weak or rotten, a new frame is the better option, and the survey will tell you.
Do you cover Dunbar for sash windows?
Yes. We can quote for sash windows across Dunbar and the surrounding Edinburgh & the Lothians area, including postcode districts EH42, and nearby Tranent, Eyemouth and Musselburgh. Start with your postcode on the quote form and a glazier will arrange a free survey before giving you a written quote.
Get a written quote in Dunbar
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.