Matching Doesn’t Mean Copying When planning a new-build wing alongside an older property, many homeowners assume the safest approach is to make every window and door identical. If the original house has traditional timber casements, should the extension copy them exactly? If the existing façade follows a particular pattern, should the new addition simply repeat […]
Author Archives: Jamie Grimshaw
27
Jul
Jul
Great Architecture Starts With Light, Not Windows When homeowners begin thinking about glazing, their attention naturally turns to windows. They compare frame materials, opening styles, sightlines and product ranges, assuming these choices are where good design begins. Architects approach the process from an entirely different direction. Before they think about windows, they think about light. […]
27
Jul
Jul
Windows Influence the Design From Day One Many homeowners begin a renovation believing that windows are one of the final decisions to make. The assumption is understandable. After all, windows are installed relatively late in the construction process, so it seems logical to choose them once the structure is taking shape. Architects approach renovations very […]
24
Jul
Jul
Window Planning Starts Before Planning Permission One of the most common misconceptions in self-build projects is that windows can be chosen once the structure has been designed or, worse still, once construction is already underway. Architects rarely work this way. Long before planning permission is submitted, glazing is already helping to shape the architecture. Decisions […]
24
Jul
Jul
The Biggest Glazing Decision Is Where It Goes When homeowners begin planning an extension, the conversation about glazing often starts with products. Should the project include sliding doors, bifold doors or fixed glass? Which frame material is best? How large can the panes be? While these are important questions, architects rarely begin there. They know […]
24
Jul
Jul
Bigger Glass Changes More Than the View Large-format glazing has become one of the defining features of contemporary residential architecture. Expansive sliding doors, floor-to-ceiling windows and wide glazed openings promise uninterrupted views, generous daylight and a stronger connection with the landscape. These are compelling qualities, and when thoughtfully designed they can transform the experience of […]
24
Jul
Jul
Bigger Glass Is Not Automatically Better Architecture Walk through the pages of an architectural magazine or scroll through social media and it is easy to conclude that bigger glazing is always better. Entire walls of glass, dramatic sliding doors and uninterrupted floor-to-ceiling elevations have become visual symbols of luxury home design. While these projects can […]
23
Jul
Jul
Future-Proofing Starts With People, Not Technology Ask a group of homeowners what it means to future-proof a renovation and many will mention smart home systems, electric vehicle charging, solar panels or the latest connected technology. While these features may have their place, architects rarely begin the conversation there. They understand that technology evolves rapidly, often […]
23
Jul
Jul
Great Extensions Begin With the Existing House Many high-end extensions fail to age well because they are designed as independent architectural statements rather than thoughtful additions to an existing home. The new structure may be beautifully detailed, generously glazed and constructed from premium materials, yet over time it can begin to feel disconnected from the […]
23
Jul
Jul
Sympathy Begins With Understanding the Building The word sympathetic is used frequently in discussions about period homes, yet it is often misunderstood. Many homeowners assume it simply describes a window that looks traditional, perhaps with glazing bars, timber frames or historic detailing. Architects use the term rather differently. For them, a sympathetic window is not […]
23
Jul
Jul
A Traditional Façade Is More Than Its Windows When homeowners begin planning improvements to a period property, attention often focuses on the windows. Because they are among the most visible elements of a building, it is easy to assume they alone define the character of a traditional façade. Architects, however, see something much broader. The […]
22
Jul
Jul
Treating Listed Status as a Restriction Instead of a Responsibility For many homeowners, the words listed building immediately suggest limitations. Concerns about permissions, regulations and what cannot be changed often dominate the early stages of a renovation, creating the impression that the building is defined more by restriction than opportunity. Architects tend to adopt a […]
22
Jul
Jul
Older Homes Deserve Honest Design, Not Historical Imitation Replacing a door on a period property often feels like an exercise in finding the most traditional design available. Decorative mouldings, antique-style furniture and historic colour palettes can all appear reassuringly authentic, leading many homeowners to believe that the closer a replacement resembles the past, the more […]
22
Jul
Jul
“Like-for-Like” Means More Than Copying the Original Few phrases are used more frequently during period home renovations than like-for-like replacement, yet few are as widely misunderstood. Many homeowners assume it simply means installing a new window that looks exactly like the one being removed. While appearance certainly matters, architects tend to view the concept in […]
22
Jul
Jul
Steel-Look Windows Are Inspired by a Distinct Architectural Tradition Steel-look windows have become one of the defining features of contemporary residential design, appearing in everything from kitchen extensions to country house renovations. Their slim sightlines, elegant proportions and ability to maximise natural light have made them particularly popular among homeowners seeking a modern yet understated […]
21
Jul
Jul
Conservation Areas Protect Places, Not Freeze Them in Time Few aspects of home renovation generate as much uncertainty as conservation area status. It is often assumed that once a property falls within a designated conservation area, meaningful change becomes almost impossible. Homeowners may believe they are prevented from replacing windows, improving energy efficiency or adapting […]
21
Jul
Jul
Character Is More Than Original Features When people talk about preserving the character of a period home, the conversation often centres on individual features. Original sash windows, decorative cornices, fireplaces and timber floorboards are all seen as elements that define the building’s identity. While these details undoubtedly contribute to its appeal, architectural character is something […]
21
Jul
Jul
Planning Officers Are Looking at the Building—Not Just the Window For many homeowners, submitting a planning application for replacement windows can feel like an exercise in proving that they have chosen the “right” product. Brochures are compared, technical specifications scrutinised and materials debated in the hope that one particular solution will satisfy the local authority. […]
14
Jul
Jul
Why Windows Often Receive Too Much—and Too Little—Attention Few elements of a home renovation attract as much attention as new windows. They are among the most visible investments homeowners make, they can transform the appearance of a property and they are frequently promoted as a solution to rising energy costs. At the same time, their […]
14
Jul
Jul
Passivhaus Is About Comfort, Not Just Energy Bills Mention Passivhaus and many people immediately think of exceptionally low energy bills, thick insulation and triple glazed windows. While these characteristics are often associated with Passivhaus buildings, they are not what defines the standard. At its heart, Passivhaus is a design philosophy centred on creating homes that […]
14
Jul
Jul
Why Overheating Has Become a Modern Design Challenge For many years, conversations about windows centred on one question: how can we keep more heat inside the home during winter? That remains an important consideration, particularly as homeowners continue to look for ways to improve comfort and reduce energy consumption. Yet as building design has evolved […]
14
Jul
Jul
Triple Glazing Isn’t Automatically the Right Answer One of the most common misconceptions surrounding modern glazing is that triple glazing is always the superior choice. It is an understandable assumption. Three panes of glass sound inherently better than two, and as energy efficiency has become a greater priority for homeowners, triple glazing has increasingly been […]
10
Jul
Jul
What Is FENSA? If you are planning to replace your windows, there is a good chance you will come across the term FENSA. It often appears in quotations, installation paperwork and conversations with window companies, yet many homeowners are unsure what it actually means. Some assume it is a product certification, while others believe it […]
10
Jul
Jul
Why Building Regulations Exist For many homeowners, the phrase Building Regulations immediately brings to mind paperwork, inspections and complicated technical requirements. It can feel like an obstacle that stands between an idea and the finished project. In reality, the purpose of Building Regulations is much simpler. They exist to help ensure that homes are safe, […]