When restoring or updating period properties such as Victorian, Georgian, or Edwardian homes, selecting the right window style is essential for maintaining the property’s historical charm while boosting energy efficiency. Choosing the wrong style can detract from the overall aesthetic and even affect the property’s value. Here’s a guide to help you select the perfect window style for your period home and ensure that your upgrades meet modern performance standards.
Victorian Homes – Elegance and Vertical Proportions
Victorian homes are known for their tall, narrow windows with elaborate detailing, often including bay windows on the front of the house. The most iconic window style of this era is the sash window, which slides vertically. Victorian sash windows typically feature slim, narrow glazing bars, allowing for larger panes of glass to showcase the advancements in glassmaking during that time.
When upgrading or replacing windows in a Victorian property, it’s important to replicate the vertical proportions and slim profiles of the original sash windows. Modern sash windows with double or triple glazing offer improved energy efficiency, ensuring that your home retains its traditional look while minimising heat loss.
Georgian Homes – Symmetry and Classic Lines
Georgian homes are defined by their strict symmetry and elegant proportions. The original windows in these homes were double-hung sash windows featuring either nine or twelve panes of glass in the lower windows and six panes on the upper floors. This design, dictated by the glass production techniques of the time, is iconic for Georgian architecture. When restoring or updating Georgian windows, you can replicate this traditional look using modern glazing techniques by applying Georgian bars—decorative bars placed over a single pane of glass, giving the appearance of multiple smaller panes while maintaining modern energy efficiency.
Edwardian Homes – Combining the Best of Both Eras
Edwardian homes represent a transition between the ornate designs of the Victorian era and the simpler, more refined style of the early 20th century. Edwardian windows often mix the sash styles of the Victorian era with more straightforward casement windows, which open outward on hinges. These windows usually feature decorative glazing bars on the upper panes, adding character without the intricacies of earlier periods.
For Edwardian homes, casement windows are often a practical and aesthetically appropriate choice, particularly if you want a design that allows more flexibility for ventilation. Modern casement windows with energy-efficient double glazing can keep your home warmer and reduce energy bills while maintaining the Edwardian aesthetic.
Energy Efficiency – The Modern Essential
Regardless of the style of your period home, upgrading to energy-efficient windows is vital. Traditional single-glazed windows often result in significant heat loss and increased energy bills. Modern double or triple glazing, combined with thermally efficient frames, can drastically improve insulation while still maintaining the historical accuracy of your property’s windows.
At Andover Glass, we understand the importance of preserving the architectural integrity of period homes while ensuring they meet today’s energy efficiency standards. Our expert team can help you choose or design the perfect windows that respect your home’s heritage while providing the comfort and performance of modern technology.