Why Choose a Timber Framed Conservatory

Why Choose a Timber Framed Conservatory?

There are many considerations to make when choosing a conservatory for your home, with materials among the most important factors to think about.

Though the majority of modern conservatories are manufactured using plastics such as uPVC, there is a growing call for wood-based installations.

Here we explain some of the key advantages of choosing a timber framed conservatory, making it an increasingly popular option for homeowners.

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Aesthetics

There are a vast range of timber types suitable for framing conservatories, offering plenty of different colours and styles to choose from. Popular tones such as oak and sapele hardwood can be matched with a range of colours and decorative schemes, offering a natural and luxurious look both inside and outside of the home.

Maintenance

When properly looked after, timber products can last for a lifetime, but only a small amount of care is needed. Simple treatments to protect against sun exposure and warping are only required about twice a year, whilst protecting timber structures against issues such as damp can be achieved through routine maintenance.

Customisation

Though timber is available in a range of beautiful shades, it is also perfect for treatments such as painting and staining. This means that wooden conservatory structures can be presented with an endless range of colours and tones, offering an even greater scope of customisation for homeowners and interior designers planning a new installation.

Sustainability 

Another key advantage of using timber for creating conservatory framing is that it offers an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic installations. For those who are conscious about sustainability, using wooden building products helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote the use of non-toxic materials and support re-forestation projects.

Property Value

Because they offer an attractive and contemporary feature to any home, timber framed conservatories are likely to increase the value of your home at market. This makes them an excellent long-term investment in your property if you ever choose to sell.

Find out more

If you would like to find out more about the benefits of using timber conservatories and how the experienced craftspeople at the Rural Timber Window Company can help to meet your needs, please contact our friendly team on 01905 841199.

 

Hardwood vs Softwood – Sapele or Accoya Doors and Windows

Hardwood vs Softwood – Sapele or Accoya Doors and Windows

At Rural Timber, we combine traditional craftmanship with modern technology to create timber doors, window frames, conservatories and other items that are designed to last. Oak has traditionally been a popular choice for bespoke doors and windows as it is a strong, durable and beautiful hardwood. Whilst we commonly use sustainably sourced Oak, we have also seen an increased demand in other renewable, sustained hardwoods and softwoods, which have their own benefits.

Hardwood or softwood?

Generally speaking, timber can be separated into two categories, hardwood and softwood. However, these terms are misleading as some hardwoods are soft and some softwoods are hard. The difference between these two types of wood is their cellular structure:

  • Hardwoods contain 4 different types of cell – this gives them a high level of strength and durability, as well as very aesthetically pleasing grains.
  • Softwoods contain 2 types of cell – this means that they are much easier to work with and have better thermal retention properties.

Sapele doors and windows

Sapele is a hardwood and is one of Europe’s most desired woods for handcrafted window frames and doors. Sustainably sourced, it also has a number of benefits of other popular, but less sustainable hardwoods. For example, it is harder than Red Oak and more durable than Mahogany. Reddish brown in appearance, Sapele is well suited to a transparent coating, making the most of its natural grains.

Sapele timber lacks permeability, so there is no requirement for preservation treatment. This makes it an ideal wood for use in crafting doors or window frames as it is a highly durable and low maintenance wood.

Accoya doors and windows

Accoya is a sustainably grown softwood that has been modified at the molecular level in process called acetylation. This process is completely non-toxic, and it prevents wood from bonding with water, helping to increase its durability and stability in different weather conditions – products made from Accoya are unlikely to distort as a result of hot or cold weather conditions. In addition to having a working life span of 60 years or more, Accoya has fantastic insulating properties, making it an extremely well-suited timber for bespoke wooden windows and doors.

If you are looking for environmentally friendly, sustainable and unique timber doors or windows for your property, Sapele or Accoya are both great choices. At Rural Timber, all wood is carefully sourced and selected, and treated with water-based paints and stains to prevent warping, so you can rest assured that our products are non-toxic and recyclable.

If you are unsure whether hardwood or softwood timber is the best solution for your property, simply call us on 01905 841199 to discuss the project you have in mind.

 

The Benefits of Hardwood Orangeries

The Benefits of Hardwood Orangeries

Many homeowners face the dilemma of wanting more space without the inconvenience of moving. Whether your desire is to extend your home, upgrade your Summer garden or to create a tranquil space for family to enjoy, a hardwood orangery is a marvellous addition to any home.

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There are endless benefits to investing in a hardwood orangery and here are just a few:

Aesthetics

Being based in Worcestershire ourselves, we love the historical value the city has to offer. Hardwood has been used for centuries to add value to homes and therefore provides charming character and a traditional aesthetic to any build. Being a natural material also allows it to blend in beautifully with the rest of your home and garden.
Increased Property Value
If you ever decide to put your home on the market, having a stylish conservatory can be a desirable feature to potential buyers. A modern orangery can boost your property value by 7% and increase selling pace.

Eco-Friendly

If you’re searching for the green option, hardwood is known for being very eco-friendly as it is an easily renewable, natural resource. Hardwood can also eliminate the need for additional heating, as it is a thermally efficient material. At Rural Timber Window Company, we only use exceptional quality woods such as Oak, Sapele and Accoya in the construction of orangeries. All timber is sourced from sustainable forests.

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Design Opportunities

Hardwood is very flexible when it comes to design opportunities. Its smooth surface means you can opt for coloured paints, varnishes and stains to suit your taste and to keep your orangery’s design consistent with your home.

Adaptable

Hardwood orangeries can easily be adapted to the shape of your home, despite any curved windows or walls that don’t line up squarely to each other. This will allow your conservatory to join perfectly with your home with minimal difficulty.

Our specialist team here at Rural Timber come with years of expert experience in design and creating bespoke hardwood orangeries. We take pride in every project we complete, ensuring we provide exceptional quality and service every step of the way.

For more details on hardwood conservatories and orangeries in Worcestershire or to request a quote, get in touch with our expert team on 0800 121 4299  or simply email info@ruraltimberwindow.co.uk.

Bespoke Window Manufacturing – Why Timber Trumps uPVC Every Time

Bespoke Window Manufacturing – Why Timber Trumps uPVC Every Time

When you buy a property that needs renovating, there are probably a hundred and one things on your to do list. But one of the most important things to consider is what type of windows to install – uPVC or timber.

The type of windows you go for can have a huge impact on the value of your home and installing an inappropriate style can negatively affect your investment. For example, installing uPVC in a traditional, regency building or period property can look out of place and when you come to sell, mean that buyers reduce their offer to the tune of thousands.

So, why else are timber windows better than uPVC ones? We can think of a long list of reasons, for example:

  1. The world is your oyster

When you install timber windows, there’s a whole range of options that aren’t open to you if you go for uPVC. Wooden frames can be made from a wide variety of woods in different colours, such as maple, oak and mahogany – all of which come with a different look and feel. What’s more, they can be carved, stained and painted to suit your taste.

  1. Longevity

When looked after properly, high quality timber windows can last more than 60 years, whereas most uPVC only has a maximum lifespan of 20 to 30 years. This makes timber frames a much wiser investment and can save you money further down the line.

  1. Timber windows are kinder to the environment

uPVC has been cited as detrimental to the world around us[1] because it is unsustainable and releases poisonous chemicals into the environment. The carbon footprint of bespoke timber window manufacturers is much smaller, so if you’re keen to be green, using timber instead of uPVC is far kinder to the environment and offers a sustainable choice.

  1. Timber windows are easier to repair

When things go wrong with uPVC windows it can be almost impossible to repair them, and a problem with one part of the unit often means the whole thing needs replacing. Timber windows from skilled window manufacturers are much more resilient and avoid the snapping and cracking problems that come with uPVC.

  1. Timber frames are as, if not more thermally efficient

Although the perception is often that uPVC is a better insulator, this is not the case. High quality timber window frames are particularly good at keeping the heat in and noise out – essential for any modern home.

At Rural Timber, we offer home owners and business owners in and around Worcestershire the very best in bespoke joinery services. We have been crafting timber framed windows, conservatories and other property related joinery since 1973 and are committed to the environment.

All our timber is sourced from renewable and sustained Oak, Accoya and Sapele forests and our use of water based pants and wood stains means all our products do minimal environmental damage.

[1]http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/detox/polyvinyl-chloride/pvc-free-solutions/

If you’re looking for timber windows, doors or structures, please contact our friendly team on 01905 841199 or simply email info@ruraltimberwindow.co.uk.

Why timber doors offer a lasting natural solution

Why timber doors offer a lasting natural solution

If you’re planning to install new doors in your home and want to find a solution that is stylish, practical and long-lasting, look no further than traditional timber doors.

Here we share some key reasons why bespoke timber-made door fittings can make a real difference for your home, making them a far better investment than modern uPVC systems:

Longevity of a timber door

A quality made timber door can last for as long as 60 years, offering a far greater lifespan than modern mass-produced doors. Timber is an extremely hard-wearing and durable material that, with the right treatment and care, can withstand decades of exposure to the elements without succumbing to weather damage or warping.

Timber doors offer a beautiful range of unique colours

Wood is a wonderful material that offers a beautiful range of unique colours and patterning that can be crafted to suit the exact requirements of your home. Timber doors offer a timeless style and elegance than can invigorate the look and feel of a property, both inside and out, for many years to come.

Efficient, strong and natural insulator – Timber doors

Timber is a strong and natural insulator that offers superb performance and comfort for you and your property. Our timber doors are produced to the highest standards, meaning they can meet the demands of 21st century living by being easy to maintain whilst offering security and energy efficiency.

Environmentally friendly Timber doors

Timber doors are far more eco-friendly than uPVC installations as they require less energy to produce, last up to 30 years longer and are fully recyclable. The wood used to manufacture all doors produced by the Rural Timber Window Company comes from managed forests, where trees that are felled are replaced by new plantings.

If you would like to find out more about the benefits of a quality hardwood door and how the experienced craftsmen at the Rural Timber Window Company can help to meet your needs, please contact our friendly team on 01905 841199 or simply email info@ruraltimberwindow.co.uk.

Bespoke Timber Sash Windows in Gloucestershire

Bespoke Timber Sash Windows in Gloucestershire

From our base in Worcestershire, we are only a short trip over the border from Gloucestershire. Incorporating idyllic locations such as Gloucester, Cheltenham, Tewkesbury, old market town Cirencester and part of the Cotswold hills, Georgian and Victorian architecture are very much prevalent in Gloucestershire.

Sash windows are a key feature of many Georgian and Victorian houses, especially the classic arrangement of three panes of glass across by two up on each of two sashes. Be it rural cottages or towering town centre tenements, the sash window remains a mainstay even centuries after many Gloucestershire buildings were constructed.

It’s no secret that older buildings require careful maintenance from time to time. In many cases, timber sash windows are the same age as their building, so problems with rot, swelling or distortion of the woodwork are not out of the question. Whilst cheaper, uPVC or vinyl alternatives for sash windows are available, not only are they much less durable than high quality, bespoke timber windows, but the aesthetics are not sympathetic to the grandeur of traditional buildings.

At Rural Timber Window Company, we are strong believers in traditional timber joinery. By hand crafting glazed window frames from the highest quality sustainable woods, we create a beautiful solution that will last for years and years, compared with cheaper plastic alternatives. We believe in treating traditional architecture with the respect that it deserves, by designing, crafting and fitting period sympathetic timber windows and doors.

We regularly use Accoya wood in our work. This allows us to retain the beauty of traditional wood, but provides a much higher performance and durability as the wood is specially treated. The non-toxic acetylation process permanently strengthens the wood and helps to prevent issues such as rot and insect infestation.

If you are a property owner in Gloucestershire and are looking for an aesthetically sympathetic and highly durable solution for sash windows, , be sure to call us on 01905 841199 or simply email info@ruraltimberwindow.co.uk.

Sash Windows in Birmingham’s Georgian and Victorian houses

Sash Windows in Birmingham’s Georgian and Victorian houses

The oldest surviving sash windows date back to the 1670s, with the design a recognised mainstay of Georgian and Victorian architecture.

Even today sash windows remain a key feature of such properties, both in leafy suburbs and more metropolitan areas. Here we take a look at two areas of Birmingham where the sash window retains prominence.

Amongst the second city’s more palatial suburbs, Edgbaston and Moseley both offer an eclectic range of redbrick Georgian townhouses and terraced properties that maintain many of their original features.

As with many of the tiered homes popularised in the early 1800s, sash windows are a prominent feature in these areas (commonly treated in white) and are used in varying styles and sizes. A brief walk around either area will demonstrate how popular sash windows remain, even in larger communal properties and grander private homes.

One such example is Perrott’s Folly in Edgbaston, a local landmark built in 1758 and rumoured to have inspired a young J.R.R Tolkien in his future literature, including the Lord of the Rings series.

The design of properties in these areas owes greatly to the ideal of balance and proportion popularised in the Georgian era. In the many parts of the city built with the architecture of the period, there is a sense of uniformity and spacing that is complimented by the linear characteristics of sash windows.

For this reason sash windows are a feature of these properties keenly preserved by home owners, both in the maintenance and restoration of original installations and the fitting of modern sash windows that are so sympathetic to the appearance and style of the era that they would look to be the originals.

If you have a period property that requires bespoke sash window systems to be crafted at the highest standard, please call us on 01905 841199 or email info@ruraltimberwindow.co.uk.

Timber sash windows – spiral balanced or traditional weights and pulleys?

Timber sash windows – spiral balanced or traditional weights and pulleys?

Based just outside of Worcester, we’ve been had crafting timber sash windows for years and have come across just about every size and shape you could think of. When it comes to choosing sash windows, it can be tricky to know what type to go for. From colour and style to operating mechanism, it can be a minefield that leaves you confused about your options.

There are two main types of sash windows:

1. Traditional sash windows -weights and pulleys

In history, sliding sash windows were operated by cast iron weights. In this style of sash window, the weights are housed in boxes which sit at each side of the window. This is then attached to a piece of cord, which goes over a pulley system in the top corner of the window and attaches to the sash that will move. When the weight has been chosen to match the weight of the sash, the perfect counterbalance can be achieved to make the window glide effortlessly.

Traditional sash windows are generally a little more expensive but can be considered to have the best life span out of both options.

2. Spiral balance sash windows

This operating mechanism provides a modern and cost-effective alternative to traditional lead weights, and use similar principles of counterbalancing to stop the window from dropping. Although you can see the spiral balance mechanisms, these are generally cheaper and don’t require bulky weight boxes on the frame, resulting in a beautiful design that offers more light into the room.

At Rural Timber Windows, we offer a wide range of wooden sash windows, frame profiles and glazing bars, and can hand make sash windows to order. To get a quote for your sash windows, or to find out more about the options available, please call us on 01905 841199 or email info@ruraltimberwindow.co.uk.

Bespoke Accoya Sash Windows for Listed Buildings

Bespoke Accoya Sash Windows for Listed Buildings

When it comes to replacing windows on a traditional, heritage or listed property, whether it be a home or any other building, there is plenty to take into account. Most importantly, the style of windows chosen should be sympathetic to the style of the building. Windows make a considerable contribution to the character of an older building, so if beyond repair, old windows should be replaced with suitable copies. uPVC or timber imitations simply won’t cut it.

Bespoke sash windows

For Georgian and Victorian buildings, the most commonly found style of windows are sash windows. Early Georgian period sash windows can be recognised by the multiple panes and glazing bars of the time, whilst later Georgian windows incorporated more ornate features. As a result of developments in glass technology, Victorian windows began to use larger panes of glass as the manufacturer of heavier panes was more economical by this time.

If the original windows of your property are beyond repair and energy efficiency is bad, uPVC or imitation wood is not a suitable solution. Bespoke timber window frames can provide a traditional and long lasting solution that allows a building to retain its character. At Rural Timber Window Company, we regularly use Accoya wood in our bespoke, traditionally crafted windows to retain the aesthetics of other timbers, whilst benefiting from the high performance of this specially treated wood.

Accoya is treated in a process called non-toxic acetylation, which permanently strengthens the wood to provide a much higher performance so that it doesn’t deteriorate over time. This means that Accoya sash windows are much easier to maintain than other timber windows and aren’t affected by common issues such as insect infestation and rot.

At Rural Timber Window Company, we are highly experienced in providing hand-crafted replacements of traditional sash windows for listed buildings and conservation areas in Worcestershire and the surrounding areas. Our combination of traditional joinery skill, sustainable timber materials and modern technology means that our bespoke windows are built to last.

To discuss your sash window requirements, please call us on 01905 841199 or email info@ruraltimberwindow.co.uk.

The Benefits of Accoya Windows for your Property

The Benefits of Accoya Windows for your Property

When deciding on the types of windows to install at your property there will be many considerations. From the costs involved at the installation stage to the amount of maintenance further down the line and how the materials used will complement the age and style of the property, it isn’t always that easy to make the right decision.

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At Rural Timber Window Company we believe in the new eco-friendly ‘super woods’ such as Accoya®, and the sophistication and luxury they can bring to your property.

Accoya windows are a welcome addition to homes of all ages and sizes, and deliver many aesthetic and practical benefits, which we will outline below:

 

Durability – Accoya wood doesn’t shrink or swell during seasonal weather changes, which makes it an excellent choice for window frames, particularly on coastal properties or those in areas of variable temperatures (which pretty much covers the whole of the UK!) This wood is also very stable and resistant to insect attack and rot.

Low thermal conductivity – Window frames made from Accoya have a very low conductivity of heat and cold – this means they are better at maintaining a comfortable temperature inside a property and can therefore save you money on your energy bills.

Low maintenance – once installed, there will be very little maintenance required to keep your windows looking their best. If you do need to recoat the wood, the fact that the surface is easy to sand and paint, means maintenance time can be kept to the minimum.

Versatile – Accoya window frames can be transparent coated if you want to maintain the natural look of the wood, or painted if you want to transform the appearance of the frames to enhance the exterior of your property. As Accoya is easy to sand down, there is little preparation time involved, whatever the finish you require.

We have worked on a diverse range of projects where Accoya frames have been installed, such as this flush casement window installation in Hampton in Arden, where traditional timber styling was retained in a modern setting.

If you would like to find out more about the suitability of Accoya for your next home improvement project please call us on 01905 841199 or email us with your enquiry.

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