How to install new timber windows in listed buildings

There are about half a million period properties listed on Historic England. More than 8,000 of these are in Dorset. At Lomax + Wood, we have accumulated years of expertise in the installation of period windows in listed buildings in Essex, London and the home counties.

With so many period homes in the Southwest, expanding to Dorset was a natural next step, and we recently opened a new showroom in Christchurch, serving customers in both Dorset and Hampshire.

The architecture in this area is stunning and varied, from the Georgian and Victorian townhouses in Bournemouth and Poole to the more modern architecture of the “golden mile” in Sandbanks. Their common factor is that they stand out from the ordinary, and our area of expertise is helping customers choose the right timber windows for extraordinary properties, both period and modern.

Over the years, we have worked on a wide variety of period home renovations, from the Queen Anne Orangery at Kensington Palace to the sympathetic restoration of a 220-year-old farmhouse in Norfolk to the conversion of a Victorian power station in Essex.

No two period properties are identical, and as our team gets busy with new projects installing casement and sash windows in Dorset, we will help homeowners and contractors overcome a variety of challenges.

Most people think they are heading into a nightmare of bureaucracy and red tape when they want to install replacement timber windows in a period property. But approach it methodically and from the proper perspective, and it is okay.

Of course, originality is important, but sometimes, keeping 200-year-old windows in 200-year-old frames is simply impractical. Planning officers understand the necessity of balancing originality with thermal performance and maintaining the property’s overall integrity and character.

Left unaddressed, a rotten, leaky old window will dampen and damage the whole structure. That is entirely contrary to the spirit and intention of Historic England. So the first step is to demonstrate why the old window is no longer fit for purpose. That might be due to rot, damage, or a combination of factors affecting security or thermal performance. Remember, the local council in Dorset is under pressure to encourage homeowners to make their properties more energy-efficient. Installing new timber windows is one of the most effective ways of doing so in period properties.