Warning Sign One: Rooms Feel Draughty Around the Windows A room can be warm according to the thermostat and still feel uncomfortable beside a window. That experience is often described simply as a draught, but the sensation does not always identify the problem as neatly as the word suggests. There may be unwanted air movement […]
Tag Archives: Heritage Windows
02
Sep
Sep
Why Winter Reveals More About Your Glazing Windows and glazed doors form part of the boundary between two very different environments, and winter makes that role particularly noticeable. As external temperatures fall and heating keeps the interior warmer, the difference between conditions inside and outside becomes greater. Add stronger winds, prolonged rain and higher levels […]
01
Sep
Sep
Steel-Look Is an Aesthetic. Steel Is a Material. The phrase “steel-look glazing” can make a complicated design decision sound surprisingly simple. It is often used to describe dark-framed windows and doors with narrow-looking profiles, strong glazing divisions and the distinctive geometric character associated with traditional metal glazing. But there is an important distinction to make […]
28
Aug
Aug
Retrofit and Replacement Are Not Opposites When homeowners begin planning a low-energy renovation, the glazing conversation can quickly become binary: keep the existing windows or replace them with higher-performing ones. In reality, a well-considered retrofit can involve a much broader range of interventions. Depending on the building and the condition of individual openings, the options […]
28
Aug
Aug
There Is No Reliable “Window ROI Percentage” Search for the effect of new windows on property value and you will quickly encounter confident claims about percentage returns. Spend a certain amount on replacement windows, the argument goes, and a predictable proportion will come back through a higher sale price. Residential property value is far too […]
27
Aug
Aug
Age Is a Clue, Not a Diagnosis One of the easiest ways to judge ageing glazing is also one of the least reliable: looking at how old it is. Homeowners are often told that windows have a particular expected lifespan and that, once they approach a certain age, replacement should follow. In reality, chronological age […]
27
Aug
Aug
Before Asking Where an Old Window Goes, Ask Why It Is Coming Out When discussing the environmental impact of replacement windows, the conversation often begins too late. We ask whether the glass can be recycled, what happens to the aluminium or timber frames, and whether the old units will avoid landfill. These are worthwhile questions, […]
27
Jul
Jul
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
21
Jul
Jul
Every Period Home Tells a Different Story At first glance, many period homes appear to belong to clearly defined architectural categories. A Georgian townhouse may be recognised by its symmetry and restrained proportions, while a Victorian villa might be distinguished by decorative brickwork, bay windows and more elaborate detailing. Yet within those broad styles, every […]
09
Jul
Jul
What an EPC Actually Measures Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) have become an increasingly familiar part of buying, selling and renting property in the UK. As conversations around energy efficiency continue to grow, many homeowners understandably wonder whether their existing windows could negatively affect their EPC rating. To answer that question, it is important to understand […]