How To Choose The Right Timber Window Frames For You

When you live in an older, maybe even historic or listed building, the right window choice may well be pre-determined, but owners often struggle to know exactly what that should be.

STYLE

The basic style should be something that’s appropriate for the age of the building. So Victorian house, Victorian style, Georgian house, Georgian windows, etc Sometimes previous owners may have adopted the wrong style, based on anything that fits, personal preference, cheapness, etc, however with just a very small amount of research on the internet you will see the kinds of styles that are correct.

Using timber as a basis, as would often originally have been used, offers a lot of opportunity to create custom timber windows in the precise form you desire. It’s generally pretty easy to make bespoke timber windows to exactly suit your property. You really don’t have to choose from a few typical styles you may be offered, to make the joiners life easier.

TIMBER CHOICE

Original timber windows could have been made from all sorts of timber. Oak, Elm, Slow Grown Baltic Pine, etc. We can advise you as to the best to use in your bespoke timber windows. Often there’s just paint applied over the top of any timber, so the choice should then be made upon what lifespan is desired. Often the longer lasting, the more expensive the timber, but if you’re going to stick around or want to do the right thing, the choices abound including Accoya, which is the longest lasting, guaranteed, sustainable and ecological choice.

FINISH

Paint is the most common choice. That can be gloss, matt, silk, water based, oil based, even lead based for certain buildings. The choice of colour is wide, but any colour choice is personal obviously, but can and should be in keeping with the age and style of your property, we can guide you with that choice.

It may be you want to see the timber in which case oils, waxes and varnishes allow that too.

HARDWARE CHOICES AND ACCOMODATING REGULATIONS.

Custom timber windows on properties that aren’t listed need to have certain features to comply with building and fire regulations. Custom timber windows can easily accommodate trickle vents, flying mullions and opening restrictors. Locking handles or locks generally can be accommodated. Hinges, fasteners and stays of all shapes and sizes and in different colours can be chosen by you and fitted. We will again guide you what’s right in terms of style for your bespoke timber windows. FENSA standards could be employed or simply meeting the building regulations is enough.