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When your parents are architects and basically “in the business” there is no shortage of expertise and advice on hand to ensure that you make the right decision when it comes to choosing a supplier for your replacement windows and door. Mr & Mrs Thompson’s Victorian end terraced home had single glazed sash windows which were suffering the effects of poor maintenance over a number of years, in addition, the entrance door to their home had a severe lack of security. They were definitely in the market for an upgrade to both windows and door.
The couple made contact with Schnauber via the application form on the website. Our Sales and Business Development Manager, Marius, arranged an appointment to see them. He found that they had already been in touch with numerous companies and had received numerous quotations. Was the competition going to be tough?
From their initial conversation Marius understood that the Thompsons were looking for a traditional timber sash window to retain the integrity of their period home but that they were also looking for a level of technical expertise that would result in improvements being made to the thermal efficiency of their home and security. Marius was able to satisfy the requirements of Mr & Mrs Thompson – and their parents.
Once on site Schnauber’s team of installers found that the internal plaster was far from well preserved. The age of the property had taken its toll on the plaster, it was extremely delicate. The implication of this discovery was that the existing sash windows had to be removed in individual pieces in order to minimise any possible damage to the existing building. An additional complication arose when the team identified that the buildings foundations had sunk slightly.
The installation team took everything in their stride and adapted their working practices accordingly. From start to finish the installation took twelve days to complete.
Mr & Mrs Thompson both agreed that the work carried out was of the highest standard. Their expectations were exceeded and they applauded the Schnauber team for their high level of adaptability when faced with such a difficult property. The new sash windows and entrance door helped to improve the warmth and security of their home.
The couple have recommended Schnauber to their family members and we are currently manufacturing products for that project.
1. Severely Deteriorated Plaster Around Window Openings
During the removal of the old windows, we discovered that the surrounding plaster was in very poor condition. Years of moisture penetration and previous low-quality repairs had left the window reveals uneven, cracked, and unstable. This created a challenge because traditional timber sash windows require precise installation to ensure smooth operation, proper sealing, and long-term durability. Without addressing the plaster issues, the new windows would not sit correctly or perform to their full potential.
2. Uneven and Sloping Flooring at the Entrance Area
The entrance of the property had noticeably wonky flooring, which caused the existing door threshold to sit off-level. An uneven base can prevent a wooden entrance door from opening and closing correctly, compromise the door’s sealing against drafts, and affect the alignment of the door frame. To ensure the new classic wooden door functioned perfectly and delivered maximum security, we needed to correct the floor discrepancy and re-establish a stable, level foundation.
1. Re-Plastering and Reinforcing the Damaged Areas
To achieve a flawless installation of the new sash windows, we fully removed the loose and deteriorated plaster around each window opening. We then applied fresh, high-quality plaster to rebuild the reveals, creating smooth, even, and durable surfaces. This provided the perfect support for our timber frames and ensured that the toughened glazing and Georgian bars aligned symmetrically and securely. By restoring the plaster properly, we also improved insulation and contributed to a longer lifespan for the new joinery.
2. Adjusting and Rebuilding the Door Threshold Height
To correct the uneven flooring, we carefully adjusted the threshold height and re-levelled the base beneath the new wooden entrance door. This ensured the door frame sat perfectly square, allowing the security locking system, cylinder pull handle, and flat round knob to function flawlessly. By stabilising the threshold, we eliminated future issues such as rubbing, sticking, or unwanted drafts, ensuring smooth operation and long-term reliability.
3. Precision Installation of Premium Timber Windows and a Bespoke Wooden Door
Once the structural issues were resolved, we completed the installation of the traditional sash windows and classic timber entrance door.
By addressing the underlying structural challenges first, we ensured a perfect fit, optimal thermal performance, improved security, and a long-lasting finish.
Traditional Sash windows
Georgian bars
Toughen glazing
Fitch fasteners
Classic entrance door with:
Cylinder pull handle
Round knocker
Flat round knob
Modern letterbox
Clear glazing
Security locking system
When your parents are architects and basically “in the business” there is no shortage of expertise and advice on hand to ensure that you make the right decision when it comes to choosing a supplier for your replacement windows and door. Mr & Mrs Thompson’s Victorian end terraced home had single glazed sash windows which were suffering the effects of poor maintenance over a number of years, in addition, the entrance door to their home had a severe lack of security. They were definitely in the market for an upgrade to both windows and door.
The couple made contact with Schnauber via the application form on the website. Our Sales and Business Development Manager, Marius, arranged an appointment to see them. He found that they had already been in touch with numerous companies and had received numerous quotations. Was the competition going to be tough?
From their initial conversation Marius understood that the Thompsons were looking for a traditional timber sash window to retain the integrity of their period home but that they were also looking for a level of technical expertise that would result in improvements being made to the thermal efficiency of their home and security. Marius was able to satisfy the requirements of Mr & Mrs Thompson – and their parents.
Once on site Schnauber’s team of installers found that the internal plaster was far from well preserved. The age of the property had taken its toll on the plaster, it was extremely delicate. The implication of this discovery was that the existing sash windows had to be removed in individual pieces in order to minimise any possible damage to the existing building. An additional complication arose when the team identified that the buildings foundations had sunk slightly.
The installation team took everything in their stride and adapted their working practices accordingly. From start to finish the installation took twelve days to complete.
Mr & Mrs Thompson both agreed that the work carried out was of the highest standard. Their expectations were exceeded and they applauded the Schnauber team for their high level of adaptability when faced with such a difficult property. The new sash windows and entrance door helped to improve the warmth and security of their home.
The couple have recommended Schnauber to their family members and we are currently manufacturing products for that project.
1. Severely Deteriorated Plaster Around Window Openings
During the removal of the old windows, we discovered that the surrounding plaster was in very poor condition. Years of moisture penetration and previous low-quality repairs had left the window reveals uneven, cracked, and unstable. This created a challenge because traditional timber sash windows require precise installation to ensure smooth operation, proper sealing, and long-term durability. Without addressing the plaster issues, the new windows would not sit correctly or perform to their full potential.
2. Uneven and Sloping Flooring at the Entrance Area
The entrance of the property had noticeably wonky flooring, which caused the existing door threshold to sit off-level. An uneven base can prevent a wooden entrance door from opening and closing correctly, compromise the door’s sealing against drafts, and affect the alignment of the door frame. To ensure the new classic wooden door functioned perfectly and delivered maximum security, we needed to correct the floor discrepancy and re-establish a stable, level foundation.
1. Re-Plastering and Reinforcing the Damaged Areas
To achieve a flawless installation of the new sash windows, we fully removed the loose and deteriorated plaster around each window opening. We then applied fresh, high-quality plaster to rebuild the reveals, creating smooth, even, and durable surfaces. This provided the perfect support for our timber frames and ensured that the toughened glazing and Georgian bars aligned symmetrically and securely. By restoring the plaster properly, we also improved insulation and contributed to a longer lifespan for the new joinery.
2. Adjusting and Rebuilding the Door Threshold Height
To correct the uneven flooring, we carefully adjusted the threshold height and re-levelled the base beneath the new wooden entrance door. This ensured the door frame sat perfectly square, allowing the security locking system, cylinder pull handle, and flat round knob to function flawlessly. By stabilising the threshold, we eliminated future issues such as rubbing, sticking, or unwanted drafts, ensuring smooth operation and long-term reliability.
3. Precision Installation of Premium Timber Windows and a Bespoke Wooden Door
Once the structural issues were resolved, we completed the installation of the traditional sash windows and classic timber entrance door.
By addressing the underlying structural challenges first, we ensured a perfect fit, optimal thermal performance, improved security, and a long-lasting finish.
The installation of timber sash windows and timber entrance door in an old Victorian house in Cambridge turns into a delicate operation for the Schnauber team
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