Introduction to Sash Window Maintenance and Repair

Saturday 6 December 2025. 9.45am - 4.30pm

About the course

This course is for anyone who lives with or cares for sash windows and would like to learn more about how to keep them looking beautiful and in good working order. 

After a day of talks, tours and demonstrations from our experts, Dr Joseph Bispham and Mary Henn, join us for a glass of mulled wine (or apple juice) and a mince pie in our courtyard.  

Christmas Gifts

There will be a selection of SPAB gifts and books for sale, including our Old House Handbook and Old House Eco Handbook. 

We're also a stone’s throw away from Spitalfields Market, where you can enjoy some Christmas shopping and soak up the festive atmosphere.

You will learn

Through a combination of talks, demonstrations and a tour of the building, you will learn:

• Some background on the history of sash windows, including glass production and changing fashions.
• How sash windows work and their component parts.
• Identifying common issues and how to tackle them.
• How sash windows come apart for maintenance like re-cording.
• Suitable paints and when/how to use them.
• Redecorating tips: identifying, addressing and avoiding paint-related issues (e.g. moving parts gummed-up by overpainting).
• Suitable timbers and other materials to use in repairs.
• Window ironmongery.
• Thermal efficiency and comfort, including secondary glazing and other solutions.

Programme

This programme is subject to minor changes.

9.45am:     Arrival and registration with tea and coffee
10am:        Introductory talk by Mary Henn
11am:         Sash windows at Spital Square (including examples of secondary glazing)
12.30pm:   Light lunch (provided) 
1.30pm:     Talk by Dr Joseph Bispham
2.30pm:     Demonstration: dismantling and re-cording a sash window
3.30pm:     Final Q&A
4pm:          Mulled wine / apple juice and mince pies in the courtyard 

You will need

Please bring any writing materials you’d like to use to make notes.  Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided.

Tutors

Dr Joseph Bispham, Carpenter and Historic Building Consultant, J. Bispham Ltd
Joseph Bispham served a full apprenticeship as a carpenter and joiner under Thomas Bates & Sons of London and Coventry, which he completed in 1967. He then set up a small firm in the mid-70s concentrating on general building work. Since 1980 he has built up a business specialising in repair, renovation and conservation of listed properties with regard to timber. Joseph has run hands-on courses on historic joinery and timber frame repairs for the SPAB and Essex County Council, and he has hosted site visits for the Society’s Repair Course delegates and William Morris Craft Fellows. He lectures for a number of organisations, including Anglia Ruskin University and the Architectural Association. In 1999 Joseph gained a distinction on the MSc Conservation of Buildings Course at Anglia Ruskin University and he completed his PhD in 2009. He is a member of the Institute of Wood Science (MIWSc) and a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM). Joseph’s publications include an article for the Building Conservation Directory 2015, which can be found online here and is good background reading for this course. He also contributed to the recent SPAB briefing on Windows and Doors and is a member of our Technical Panel.

Mary Henn, Technical Officer and SPAB Scholar (1994)
Mary Henn joined the SPAB as Technical Officer in February 2018.  A Chartered Building Surveyor she began her career in London with Drivers Jonas.   She won the SPAB scholarship in 1994 and this unique experience reinforced the importance of vernacular crafts and materials in creating and maintaining sustainable buildings.  She has worked for the National Trust, Natural Building Technologies and with Oxley Conservation on projects ranging from advising on natural building products, energy efficiency in traditional buildings to large repair and adaption projects.   

Assessment

There is no formal assessment for this course, but we can provide a CPD certificate upon request.

Accessibility

• Please note that access to 37 Spital Square is via steps.   
• Due to the nature of the site, this visit is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility. 
• The tour part of the day will involve climbing stairs between the building’s five floors and some periods of standing. Seating will be available throughout the day otherwise.
• Assistant dogs only.

Anything we can do to make this event more accessible for you? Please email education@spab.org.uk

Photos and filming: We may take photos or videos at this event to be used in future promotion, including in print and online. Participants may take photos and short videos for personal use, with permission of the course leader and all other participants in frame. If you want to post on social media, please message SPAB's Comms Team (press@spab.org.uk or @spab1877) for permission. If your material is good, we might ask to share it with our followers.

All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions.

Photo credit: © Annie Spratt via Unsplash