DOORS , WINDOWS & FITTINGS
RESTORING FAITH IN TIMBER WINDOWS
As a result of poor practices in the 1970s and 1980s , people lost faith in timber fenestration . Along came uPVC and aluminium – the “ maintenance-free solution ” to forever windows !
Despite huge advances in timber window technology ensuring they last 60 years or more and the obvious environmental benefits many people , including architects still find themselves doubting Thomases !
But , benefits of modern paints and stains alongside good design can have a seismic impact on the longevity of timber windows and doors .
What does Da Vinci ’ s “ Last Supper ” have to do with timber windows today ?
Da Vinci was the master of experimentation who tried a new technique to paint the moment that Christ told his Apostles that one of them would betray him . The scene would typically have been painted on wet plaster , but this fresco technique was fast-drying and would have required him to work quickly . Da Vinci wanted to work slowly so he applied his pigments to a dry plaster wall .
The result was a painting that didn ’ t adhere to its surface due to the technique and Milan ’ s humidity . The Last Supper was destined not to last without intervention .
What can we learn from this ? A lot when it comes to our own use of paints and coatings for timber fenestration . From surface preparation , to allowing for location and humidity , paint is only as good as its substrate .
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