Upgrade your windows: Preserve the character of your period home with high performance casements or sashes

Wanting to ensure your windows complement the architectural style of your property and suit your personal tastes should not mean having to compromise on performance.

We spoke to Jonathan Strefford, of family-firm Custom Glaze, to find out more about their range of window designs, which can be made to suit any age of home, and offer top energy ratings.

The Bletchley firm specialises in supplying and installing high-quality window solutions, ensuring that homes maintain their historical charm while benefiting from the advantages, and top energy performance, of modern materials.

Choosing the right UPVC or aluminium windows for period properties

When it comes to upgrading windows in period properties, homeowners often face a dilemma: they want the efficiency and low maintenance of modern UPVC or Aluminium windows, but they also need to preserve the traditional charm and aesthetic appeal of their home.

This is where flush casement and sash UPVC windows come into play, offering the perfect balance between modern performance and timeless elegance.

So, what are your options and what are the differences?

Flush casement windows: A seamless look

Flush casement windows are designed to replicate traditional wooden casement windows. Unlike standard casement windows, where the sash protrudes slightly from the frame, flush casement windows sit within the frame, creating a sleek and uniform appearance. This subtle difference makes them an ideal choice for properties where authenticity is key.

Thanks to advancements in technology, flush casement windows now offer the same energy efficiency, durability, and low maintenance as standard casements. They come with multi-point locking systems for enhanced security, excellent thermal performance to reduce heating costs, and a wide range of colour and woodgrain finishes to match traditional aesthetics.

Custom Glaze provides a variety of customization options, ensuring that homeowners can find the perfect match for their property’s style.

Sash windows: traditional elegance with modern benefits

Sash windows are synonymous with classic British architecture, particularly in Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian homes.

Traditional timber sash windows, while beautiful, often suffer from issues such as draughts, rattling, and are high maintenance. UPVC sash windows offer the same elegant sliding design with all the advantages of modern materials.

UPVC sash windows from Custom Glaze incorporate features such as smooth sliding mechanisms, tilt functions for easy cleaning, and high energy efficiency to keep homes warm in winter and cool in summer. These windows are also available in authentic woodgrain finishes, allowing them to blend seamlessly with period properties while requiring minimal upkeep compared to traditional timber alternatives.

Why choose windows from Custom Glaze?

Custom Glaze of Milton Keynes is a trusted provider of UPVC and aluminium standard casement and flush casement, and UPVC sash windows, offering homeowners expert advice, professional installation, and a wide range of design choices to suit any property style. Whether you own a Victorian townhouse, an Edwardian terrace, or a country cottage, Custom Glaze ensures that your new windows enhance both the appearance and performance of your home.

How to choose your window style

Jonathan said: “Your house style will obviously play a huge part in your decision. The age of your home, the aesthetic appeal of different styles and designs but we know there may also be rules limiting your choices.

“At Custom Glaze we know that different areas and buildings are unique and have different regulations and planning requirements – we have the knowledge to help whether you live in a heritage conservation area or a brand-new building.”

Their sliding sash window designs, for example, have been accepted by planning departments as suitable replacements in conservation areas.

The Resurgence window design they use for flush sashes, which are perfect for cottage-style homes, has a recessed seal between frame and sash – offering excellent noise proofing and draft proofing without that visible black line.

Cost will also be a factor – standard casement windows are the most cost effective – but expert, no-pressure advice from Custom Glaze, will help you make the right choice for your tastes, style and budget.

And, because Custom Glaze is local and works around Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire and beyond, there are plenty of homes which can showcase their designs locally so in most cases you’ll be able to find examples of their finished work, on a similar property to your own, not too far away.

More than just lovely windows

Custom Glaze install A+ energy- rated windows as standard, better than most of their competitors, which means you will be able to enjoy a warmer and quieter home as well as lower energy bills. Custom Glaze windows are made from 100% lead-free uPVC – better for the environment, for you and your family.

But what does that A+ rating mean? It’s the highest efficiency rating you can get (rates go from G to A+). For a window to be rated A+, it must let in more heat from outside than it loses. And since less heating means fewer emissions, A+-rated windows are also the most eco-friendly option.

Buying your windows from Custom Glaze also means you’re dealing with a company which has been a trusted trader, under the same name, for 43 years, you know they comply with building regulations as a FENSA registered company, its fitters are all highly trained with a minimum Level 2 NVQ diploma in fenestration installation and once your windows are in, there’s a superb after-sales service available via a dedicated team.

Visit the website

Visit the website to find out more, browse the options, download a brochure or book a free home visit