Wooden Window Frames

[system 4-50]

I want doubleglazing in my sailaway, so I've looked at some of the window suppliers. I then went to Gordon and asked him if I could have a spare billion to do my windows. He said "Are you a *anker?" and I said "No", so he said "Sod off, then".

The prices are just beyond belief.

 

So, can nb window frames be made of wood instead of aluminium? Ignoring complications like hoppers for a minute. If so, what wood? And would it be cheaper? I can handle a router with no problems, but I'm ignorant about the properties of different woods.

 

I'm not worried about looking traditional. All I want is something that is tidy and practical that works ie is efficient at keeping heat in. I have a large window acreage. Or is that hectareage?

 

I can't believe its not been asked before but I've done a search without success.

[johnjo]

I want doubleglazing in my sailaway, so I've looked at some of the window suppliers. I then went to Gordon and asked him if I could have a spare billion to do my windows. He said "Are you a *anker?" and I said "No", so he said "Sod off, then".

The prices are just beyond belief.

 

So, can nb window frames be made of wood instead of aluminium? Ignoring complications like hoppers for a minute. If so, what wood? And would it be cheaper? I can handle a router with no problems, but I'm ignorant about the properties of different woods.

 

I'm not worried about looking traditional. All I want is something that is tidy and practical that works ie is efficient at keeping heat in. I have a large window acreage. Or is that hectareage?

 

I can't believe its not been asked before but I've done a search without success.

 

 

Some members have used secondary glazing to great effect.

 

Have a search for that, or look at posts by Roger Gunkel, he supplied all the background data and suppliers details quite recently.

 

Here'a a link to the whole thread.

 

http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php...=25464&st=0

[Keeping Up]

I've seen a few boats with wood-framed double-glazed units, and they looked good, but they ALL opened outwards. Having once had a boat whose windows opened outwards, beware it is a menace if they do. If they are open when you walk along the gunwales, you can't get past them; if they are closed, someone opens them as you walk past and knocks you into the cut; and if you cruise with them open you lose them against bridges and lock-sides.

[nb Innisfree]

We have fitted secondary DG, i.e. sheet of glass sliding over an interior wooden frame, very effective. Wooden outer frames would be ok I think but I would go for hardwood. Some plastic windows open inwards, If I could rewind to the start of our fitout I would investigate having uPVC ones made, smallish but with an inward opening hopper type design maybe in black, worth investigating.

 

In any case anything is better than metal frames IMO, condensation, a pain in winter, can be cured with secondary DG but much better to have a warm material like wood or plastic.

[dave moore]

Hi

I've no experience of wooden frames as such, but as an owner with wooden handrails and stop beams I'd recommend the use of fibre glass resin once made and before fitting. West System and SP are two known to me, effectively they seal the timber prior to painting, otherwise you're in for a relatively short life. Hardwood certainly...I'm not a joiner but would suggest a mahogany or similar type timber...lots of posters here have greater knowledge. PM me if I can help further regarding resin treatments.

Cheers

Dave

[carlt]

I'd recommend the use of fibre glass resin once made and before fitting. West System and SP are two known to me, effectively they seal the timber prior to painting, otherwise you're in for a relatively short life.

Well, the 142 year old oak window frames, on my house, have never seen any "fibre glass resin" but they will still out last the plastic frames on my neighbours' houses (the old boy next door had his wooden frames replaced in the mid 60s and is on his 3rd set of upvc monstrosities).

 

Usk had oak frames but with single glazed laminated windows (wooden boats can get too hot, in winter so double glazing is a bit pointless). They were finished with a high quality varnish (le tonkinois) and I expected them to outlast me but, sadly they burnt very quickly.

 

I only actually installed them on one side of the boat, before the fire, and the surviving windows are doing a lovely job, as cloches, in the garden.

[nb Innisfree]

Teak

 

The best?

[carlt]

Teak

 

The best?

Possibly as a material for a hull but it is a very bland, featureless timber and very difficult to source, ethically.

 

I'm in the process of ripping the teak decks off my boat, to expose the original oak planking that a previous owner was too lazy (or perhaps too rich) to restore properly.

[bridgit]

A boat near me has plastic double glazing that imitates wood. It looks neat.

[smileypete]

So, can nb window frames be made of wood instead of aluminium? Ignoring complications like hoppers for a minute. If so, what wood? And would it be cheaper? I can handle a router with no problems, but I'm ignorant about the properties of different woods.

 

I'm not worried about looking traditional. All I want is something that is tidy and practical that works ie is efficient at keeping heat in. I have a large window acreage. Or is that hectareage?

Not impossible, might depend on how you value the expertise/time needed to make a good job of it...

 

cheers,

Pete.

[carlt]

A boat near me has plastic double glazing that imitates wood. It looks neat.

This is an abomination!

 

If you want something that looks like wood why not go for something that looks like wood, lasts better than plastic, isn't fake and costs are comparable.

 

Let's see if we can think of a material that fits the brief........How about wood?

[Phoenix_V]

I want doubleglazing in my sailaway, so I've looked at some of the window suppliers. I then went to Gordon and asked him if I could have a spare billion to do my windows. He said "Are you a *anker?" and I said "No", so he said "Sod off, then".

The prices are just beyond belief.

 

So, can nb window frames be made of wood instead of aluminium? Ignoring complications like hoppers for a minute. If so, what wood? And would it be cheaper? I can handle a router with no problems, but I'm ignorant about the properties of different woods.

 

I'm not worried about looking traditional. All I want is something that is tidy and practical that works ie is efficient at keeping heat in. I have a large window acreage. Or is that hectareage?

 

I can't believe its not been asked before but I've done a search without success.

 

 

I believe that Sagar boats fit wooden frames made in house to their barges, not sure if they are double glazed, may be worth trying to take a look at one, also some of the early Chinese made narrowboats had wooden windows but the one I saw was being removed as it had started to rot so protection of the wood especially the joints is important

Edited November 25, 2009 by Phoenix_V

[Pirate of Zaragoza]

Wooden windows should be easy enough to make, iroko would be my wood of choice.

[nb Innisfree]

How about 18mm hardwood marine ply? one piece machined/routed smooth and treated, no joints and screwed on from the inside, edgeways, through a ply frame which would support DG.

[colin stone]

We have teak window frames with DG panels. Bottom of window sits in a "hopper", made from a thin wall SS pipe quartered and window opens inwards. Bottom edge of window is radiused to suit pipe curvature and there are drain holes in the superstructure side. Remarkably simple to make, condenstaion proof and researched from an original dutch barge.

 

 

Window frame

 

Window and surround

[bag 'o' bones]

windows made from wood have a habit of cracking the double galazing seal resulting in permaenant fog.

Just a thought.

 

Must admit i'm surprised a firm hasn't developed a suitable uPVC profile for boats would have thought it would have been the next logical step.

[carlt]

Must admit i'm surprised a firm hasn't developed a suitable uPVC profile for boats would have thought it would have been the next logical step.

I went to look at a boat, at hartford marina, in the 90s, and also for sale there was a GRP cruiser with a difference.

 

It was a Dolphin hull which had had a fire and had been completely destroyed, down to the gunwales.

 

The owner wasn't ready to give up on it and, being a upvc window fitter, made the whole of the cabin superstructure from double glazing units.

[bag 'o' bones]

I went to look at a boat, at hartford marina, in the 90s, and also for sale there was a GRP cruiser with a difference.

 

It was a Dolphin hull which had had a fire and had been completely destroyed, down to the gunwales.

 

The owner wasn't ready to give up on it and, being a upvc window fitter, made the whole of the cabin superstructure from double glazing units.

 

Probably not such a naff idea. uPVC section is incredibly strong stuff. It will even withstand hitting with a hammer to a certain extent.

[nb Innisfree]

I don't think sealed DG is such a good idea on boats, not too impressed with it in houses neither, seals are always breaking down. Far better IMO if you are designing windows from scratch is to adapt them for secondary DG. An outer and inner hopper glass, should be relatively straightforward.

[colin stone]

I don't think sealed DG is such a good idea on boats, not too impressed with it in houses neither, seals are always breaking down.

 

??? After 4+ years with 23 DG units, none are showing any sign of a seal breakdown/malfunction. But then they were made by a ship window specialist.

[nb Innisfree]

??? After 4+ years with 23 DG units, none are showing any sign of a seal breakdown/malfunction. But then they were made by a ship window specialist.

 

We had a couple break down after 10 years or so, in laws have one after about 8 years, so wait and see!