Living in a listed building brings a number of crucial responsibilities. The property has legal protection, so you must do all you can to maintain it. Plus, you need to get permission before you make any changes. We want to do a deeper dive here to look at how you can strike a balance with timber windows on these properties. Then, if you need to arrange sash window restoration in Northumberland, we can do it for you.

Listings

There are lots of significant buildings all over the UK. Many of them have some form of legal protection to preserve the history, heritage, and character. In England, there are close to 400,000. They have Grade I, II, or II* listings.

The interesting thing is what dictates how valuable a building is and whether it gets a listing. Typically, any pre 18th century properties get some form of protection as long as they are anywhere close to the original design. Later buildings from post WWII on the other hand have to showcase architectural value and be at risk.

Features

One of the most important factors if your property has a listing is you need to preserve the essential features. This includes things like the windows. In some cases you’ll even need to retain garden walls, railings, and outbuildings.

As the top provider of sash window restoration in Northumberland, we know how much work goes in to retaining timber sashes. They can be one of the most significant details on properties, especially if you have original ornate Georgian or Victorian ones. The ultimate goal should be to retain them in their original form wherever possible.

The issue with timber sash windows, especially old ones, is it isn’t usually a simple case of restoration. In some cases it may not be practical or even possible. For example, there may be serious issues like rot and warping.

The key thing is to strike a balance with timber sash windows. Do all you can to retain the heritage and character, prioritising restoration. However, if replacement is the only option, it should be as sympathetic as possible. Crucially, you need to retain as much of the historic fabric of the property as you can.

One thing Historic England does recommend if you need to replace original timber windows is using slim profile double glazing. It is one of the best ways to enhance the energy efficiency of a property with modern windows with minimal loss of character.

The highest quality sash window restoration in Northumberland

The most crucial thing to keep in mind if you have a listed property is there are penalties if you don’t abide by the terms. If you make changes to the property without permission, even something small, you could get a fine or worse. So, you should be very careful. The best strategy is to maintain everything to the best of your ability, especially original features.

If you want some help to retain original sashes, we are one of the leading specialists in the UK. We have a fantastic track record and prioritise quality craftsmanship. Crucially, we can do things like splice new wood in to replace rotten parts. We’ll ensure we comply with any restrictions and planning terms.

So, speak to us if you want sash window restoration in Northumberland for any property. We’d love to work with you and save our heritage.