In article , John Chapman
writes

"Ben C" wrote in message
...
Hi

My new home has gigantic sash windows in all the rooms. The light is
great,
but with colder temperatures fast arriving, I've realised how draughty
they
are. Does anyone have any advice on how to minimise the wind blowing
through all the gaps? I've not tackled this problem before and want to
consider all the options...

Thanks very much for any tips you can give.

Cheers,
Ben


I have loads of sash windows and it is very satisfying if a long job to
renovate them completely.
With the windows out of the frame I have fitted a product called Atomic
strip to the vertical frames where the windows move up and down. This is a
flexible metallic strip that will keep out draughts and which can be oiled
to make the windows move more easily.For the top and bottom edges I use E
section flexible rubber strip. For the joint in the middle where the windows
meet I do not use draught proofer but make certain that there are strong
catches that will pull the two windows together.
John Chapman

I haven't seen Atomic strip, but have used 'flexible V-seal' in a similar way.
I got mine from the local sheds and it has been very effective. As with
John's solution they fit to the edges of the sliding sash, under the parting
(middle) bead and the staff (inner) bead. The negative bit is that you need
to remove the beads to fit the seal but on the positive side this is a near
permanent solution. I also chose to replace the beads when I fitted them
as they would have been ripped to pieces by the rough over-painted
articles that lived there before.

As someone else said, the quick fix it to apply wedges to the sashes to
close up the gap to the parting bead, the ones for the upper sash will need
to be fitted to the outside to achieve this.

HTH
--
fred