Mechanical Joints vs Welded Joints – How to Achieve Authentic Sash Windows?

A small detail on sash windows can make a big change to the aesthetics of a property. If you magnify even more, then it’s the details within the sashes themselves that become important.

It is for this reason that reputable manufacturers and installers now aim to replicate even the smallest details of traditional sash windows in the most authentic way possible.

What are Mechanical Joints?

One aspect often overlooked by window manufacturers who lack experience is the welds within the sash window. These can otherwise be described as the joint between each corner of the window frame.

Traditionally, a lot of time was spent handcrafting these corner welds, also known as the ‘mechanical sash joint.’ Think of it like a jigsaw: an extruding piece of wood on the end of the window frame is inserted into another piece and locked into place with screws or glue.

When uPVC started to replace timber as the most popular choice for modern sash windows, it was accepted that mechanical jointing was far too time consuming and costly. However, technology has improved, and window manufacturers today use both mechanical and welded joints.

Both options help make modern sash windows durable and enhance the aesthetics of your home. Mechanical joints are the best option if you are looking to install truly authentic uPVC sash windows to replace your existing styles.

Why Are Mechanical Joints the Most Authentic Option for uPVC Sash Windows? 

So why are mechanical joints the most authentic option for successful traditional sash window replication? It all comes down to tradition.

Traditional timber sash windows are a part of British history, and so are the mechanical jointing methods used to manufacture them. Therefore, in window manufacturing today, traditional methods help to make uPVC sash windows almost identical to traditional styles, convincing passersby from as little as a foot away. This replication can be enhanced even further when high quality uPVC is used – this offers slim sightlines and options for hardware incorporation, such as sash horns, bottom rails and astragal bars.

The Rose Collection mainly uses welded joints in the Heritage Rose and Charisma Rose sash windows designs. Meanwhile, mechanical joints are used on the Ultimate Rose sash windows.

These manufacturing aspects mean you really wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between 19th century sash windows and The Rose Collection’s market leading range of uPVC sash windows.

Long Lasting Performance

Modern designs mean that uPVC sash windows manufactured today outperform traditional timber sash window styles in terms of thermal performance and durability. Whether with mechanical or welded joints, modern sash windows help to keep heat in and rainwater out, as they can be perfectly matched to the frame size of your pre-existing windows.

Traditional sashes are susceptible to weathering and corrosion and can quickly deteriorate. uPVC alternatives are far more weatherproof and energy efficient when combined with good quality double glazing.

If sash windows are ‘A’ rated for energy, which our approved installers will often offer as standard, it is easy to save money on your heating bills. Not only that, but sash windows today require little to no maintenance unlike timber sash windows. 

Deter Thieves With Secure Sash Windows

Not only do sash windows today last longer than their historical counterparts, but they are more secure. Mechanical or welded jointing, combined with modern uPVC material, helps to maintain the overall strength of the frame, making it harder for thieves to gain access with force.

If your sash windows are combined with additional accessories, such as astragal bars, run through sash horns and strengthened glazing, security really does become one less thing for you to worry about.

Our Joinery Method in Sash Window Structure

We believe that maintaining historical continuity in our sash design and performance is very important. That’s why all of our windows in the Rose Collection utilise effective joinery methods in their structure, whether welded with mechanical deep bottom rails as with our Heritage Rose style or mechanical jointing throughout, as with our Ultimate Rose model.

By using innovative joining methods to assemble our sash windows, the Rose Collection offers much better durability and stability. This helps to keep your home as authentically sympathetic to its original form as possible without compromising on efficiency, ease of maintenance, or security.

Full Mechanical Joinery – The Ultimate uPVC Sash 

Our newest range, The Ultimate Rose, has gone one step further and now offers full mechanical joints for corners and bottom rails and comes with premium hardware, including our in house developed, run through seamless sash horn as standard. The combination of these features helps to optimise your sash windows for full traditional authenticity. No wonder the Ultimate Rose sash window have worn various awards.

The Rose Collection’s managing director, Richard Burrells, commented on the newest collection:

“The Heritage Rose has been specified in conservation areas for a number of years, but we felt we could improve upon it, which is why we launched the Ultimate Rose, including full mechanical joints, our seamless run-through horn and other premium features as standard. The product is now ideal for heritage properties or instances when only the most authentic aesthetics will do.”

Backing up Richard’s claim is Geoff Bennett, conservation officer for Brighton and Hove City Council. He recently accepted the Ultimate Rose and had this to say about the product:

“Brighton and Hove City Council has rejected numerous uPVC windows because they would have looked out of place on the area’s historic buildings. When I first saw the Ultimate Rose, I could not believe it was made from uPVC. The window looks incredibly authentic – it looks more like a timber original than even some modern timber products”.

The UK’s First Sash Window Company

The Rose Collection is exclusively manufactured by the UK’s longest established uPVC vertical slider manufacturer, Roseview Windows. Established in 1977, we were the first company in the UK to make uPVC sliding sash windows, and we are well known in the industry for our unrivalled technical knowledge and experience in the manufacture of uPVC vertical sliders.

Whichever window model you choose from The Rose Collection, we can guarantee that they will match the style of your property, whether you are updating your windows or replacing them completely.

Categories: uPVC Sash Windows