ERW launches national campaign to Save Our Sashes
20th July 2010
One of the region’s longest established timber window companies, we have recently launched a national campaign to encourage home owners and retailers to think twice before ripping out their existing sash windows and replacing them with unsympathetic products. The Save Our Sashes campaign aims to prevent the spread of this practice through education, free practical workshops and supporting local home owners, architects and installers to choose the right window materials and styles to preserve the heritage of our North East properties
Lawrence Wall, managing director of family-run ERW comments: “Used in the UK extensively since the seventeenth century, the elegant proportions and charming kerb appeal of sliding sash windows are a familiar part of our country’s building heritage and architectural landscape – especially in our region. I’ve been in the industry for over 30 years now, but recently grown disheartened about the replacement of our national sash window treasures with ill suited and commodity alternatives. For example, I challenge anyone to walk down a street near you, and look up at all the different types of windows that are now in place instead of the original sashes. At best, the result can be a confusing jumble of styles, and at worst, can devalue whole streets.
“Thanks to ERW’s experience of designing, manufacturing, replacing and refurbishing sash windows, we’re in an ideal position to launch the SOS campaign. In addition to securing coverage in national magazines to educate window companies about the options they can offer, we’re also holding seminars for conservation officers in our area, and open weekends for home owners to learn about the latest ways to preserve the value of their home. People are surprised to learn that even the most rotten and seemingly derelict, unloved sash window can be refurbished and insulation properties improved with the addition of new high performance double glazed units.
“Traditional windows are essential features of a period building’s character, and it’s our responsibility to retain them for posterity and aesthetics for future generations, as well as preserving the value to our cherished properties now.”
