Window Swelling Problems
Hello to all
Spring looks to be here finally! Building looks like business as usual again after the enormous amount of rain this past winter.
One topic I have spoken to a number of clients about these past few weeks I thought I would mention is that of what to do with water saturated sashes within windows. After heavy rain, often timber window sashes swell up making than hard or impossible to open. My best advice is simply not to as you may not be able to close them again. Instead be patient and wait for them to dry out, more often than not the swelling will recede as the timber dries.
If you do open them do not apply more protection like paint. Wait until they are fully dried out. Doing so before hand will do more harm than good trapping moisture within the units further damaging the window. Should your window sashes still not open properly after a spell of good dry weather, then that would be the time to sort out professional help as opening components may need attention.
Let’s all hope we have a fantastic summer with little rain. I feel we all need it.
Wayne Jenkinson
Hello to all
Last post of the year for me. I would first like to thank all of my clients and wish them a fantastic Christmas break.
I have been exceptionally busy this year however however over the last two weeks have been working for myself in my own home which has been a great change. I have found it unusual to do so as it is rare to find time to place my own work in my own home due to time pressing commitments to other people. All together this kind of project is one i must say i favor
. There is something to be said about being able to apply a professional skill and build joinery without any model from a client. Everything about it becomes so personal. Perhaps maybe not the most informative to others as a post however an interesting concept all the same.
Next year will be business as usual. I already have bookings though to the end of February/mid March next year and would urge clients wishing to inquire about potential work through the coming year to do so early to avoid disappointment. .
Timber types and timber protection
Hello to all
I thought for my next entry I would touch upon the subject of different timber types and finishing application for external joinery items.
To start as a quality manufacturer for external joinery applications I would always recommend hardwood timber. In this day and age it seems the quality of softwood material is nothing like the quality has been in years past. Softwood like unsorted redwood is by far the cheapest timber commonly available at present however I often ask customers to consider that paying more now for hardwood will save far more money in the future. Hardwood products often double the life span of some softwood products, something well worth debating when you could buy two of the same softwood product for the life of one hardwood one.
To touch on timber protection in recent years I would recommend using only oil based paints with high resinous timbers such as Sapele or unsorted redwood. I recent years I have seen various joinery products fail with the use of water based “breathable” paints. With both softwood and hardwood water based paints often allow for massive timber swelling and with Sapele the colour can bleed though the finish. I ask people to consider that timber is a permeable product so why would you allow breathable paint to allow moister to get in and out of it? Damp in timber within joinery almost always creates problems so why would it matter if moisture can get back out again? surly it would be far greater an advantage to use and oil based paint and allow no moisture into the timber at all in the first place.
I would say from my own findings you are far more likely to have problems with outside joinery painted in water based over oil based paints with any type of timber.
All of this is of course my own opinion others may have found or used different products over myself although I will say I have used numerous products over the years of both oil and water based. To date I will not guarantee products finished in water based paints for swelling as I have had so much trouble. I will use it on request however it is specified to be at own risk.
I would welcome insight on the topic from others on this topic as it is something I myself have searched to find information on and struggled in the past.
On a lighter note business at present is going well with the past two months seeing production of mainly external oak door sets and windows and stairs. It seems even with current economic climate people are still building and seeking out quality joinery products.
Until next time.
Wayne Jenkinson
What Makes A Good Joiner
Starting with the obvious, experience is probably the number one with attention to detail being a close second in my opinion.
I have been asked this twice in the last month from people considering entering the industry. Of course, experience is impossible for those starting out so for those considering it I would suggest the ability to think in three dimensions and visualize potential shapes is a key skill to at least have an understanding of before you start.
Another key skill to have is the ability to problem solve. Most good joiners will tell you it is this ability which separates the run of the mill operative from the outstanding.
A good understanding of mathematics is necessary for your work to remain fluid, reaching for a calculator every five minutes in a workshop environment is not an ideal situation.
Lastly I would suggest a new operative should have a good level of self confidence, keen understudies often stimulate tutors which is of course mutually beneficial!
Of course this is based on my own experiences. Others may form different opinions of which, with a view to helping others, I would welcome hearing and post. I hope some may find this helpful.
Planning and Timing
It would seem the recent good weather has prompted an awful lot of outside joinery this year in the form of replacement windows a doors.
Of late I have found many customers to calling, having problems with lead times for outside work they are wanting completed before the end of the summer, finding almost all joinery firms to be too busy to undertake the work.
With this in mind I thought I might mention to potential customers that it is sometimes wise to enquire for large outside projects a good few months before they are looking to have the projects start. For instance if you wanted to start in June perhaps begin to inquire in the end of February if you can.
Often preparation for some projects, especially if deliberating over designs, can take a good few weeks to sometimes a month to finalize.
