Our Windows

 The Littleton Millwork Difference

Material

Historically window sash were originally made from first growth pine or mahogany.  Commercially available windows today are from third and fourth growth pine from high yield managed forests. Compared to first growth lumber, the new wood is less dense, softer, and has a weaker granular structure, and is far more susceptible to rot, often within five to ten years.  Unlike first growth which will last 100 plus years.

Our windows are manufactured from pattern grade South American Mahogany, the very best grade and species available.  This material, being straight grain, offers stability and resistance to decay.

Construction

Our sash is built with time-honored methods surrounding traditional mortise and tenon joinery.  The top and bottom sash rails fit between the side stiles, with the sash corners being locked together with mortise and tenon joinery.  These are then secured in a manner that is physically impossible for the corners to come apart.  This is a labor-intensive method; this is why commercially available windows are joined at the corners with other methods rather than a true mortise and tenon.  This construction weakness is particularly serious on the bottom sash rails, which are most subject to weathering and to stress from raising and lowering the sash.  In addition the corner joinery of the bottom rail carries the weight of the glass.  This is often doubled when using insulated glass.  This problem will also develop at the top meeting rail, especially when using simulated muntins that incorporate a single sheet of glass.  No strength is added to the construction with this method and allows only for the glass to hold the sash together.  Whereas, traditional divided lite muntins are interlocked with mortise and tenon joinery, adding considerable strength to the sash.

Muntin

A true divided lite muntin, beyond adding strength to the sash, allows for the replacement of individual lites of glass.  Whereas, a simulated muntin surface applied will require complete sash replacement upon any problems with the glass, making for an expensive repair, along with a lengthy amount of time to have the sash duplicated, installed, weather-stripped and painted.

Moulding Profiles

We duplicate the original profiles, with some modification to accommodate insulated glass.  The exterior glazing is accomplished with a beveled wood bead that simulates putty glazing.  This method provides self-flashing joinery, with sloping surfaces, allowing water to pass over it quickly.

Weather-stripping

All sliding friction surfaces are best weather-stripped with integral woven wool pile with a plastic fin.  It is the most durable, resilient, and the most effective at reducing air infiltration.  This is applied in such a manner that it is undetectable from view.  Bronze weather-strip is also very durable, but, not as effective in reducing air infiltration, along with the visibility of this when sash is open.