Tips for keeping your windows in period style

Timber Windows and Doors by Patchett Joinery

Anyone that’s bought a traditional property will be familiar with the often painful compromise that must be made between modern functionality and period charm. Often, older properties showcase the very best craftsmanship when it comes wood casement windowsand wood sash windowsbut, because of their age, they are also usually lacking some important features like double glazing or draught proofing. Of course, replacing the windows entirely for something more modern is never an option – this can drastically reduce the value of the property – so insteadwindow refurbishmentorrestorationis often the most popular option. But with this comes new questions too – how do you make sure you don’t ‘ruin’ the traditional feel of your windows? How can you refurbish them without losing the period feel?

Working to maintain the original look and feel of your home is often the key to maintaining – or even increasing – its value these days, so it’s not something to be taken lightly. Here are just a few considerations for those who are looking to maintain the original features of their wood sash windows.

First, consider the main features of your windows. The size of your window panes, whether they’re single or double glazed, what type of glass they use and whether they have any additional features such as glazing bars for added security and safety. To know how to treat each feature of your window, it helps to know a little about each ‘period’ and what the characteristics of that period are:

Georgian sash windows (1740 – 1830): Normally featuring six panes with narrow glazing bars and two moveable sashes.

Victorian sash windows (1837 – 1901): Featuring multi panes with leaded lights Victorian sash windows were also more decorative than their predecessors.

Edwardian sash windows (1901-1910): Following the 1894 the Building Act windows no longer had to be flush with the wall, so Edwardian sash windows were often presented as double bay or bow windows.

Naturally, making sure that yourwood sash windowsare in keeping with whatever period style you’re going for takes some commitment and attention to detail, but with the right information and a bit of perseverance you can be sure to keep your home traditional and charming without compromising on the modern conveniences of more recent builds.

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