Traditional style PVCu windows refresh a Woodbridge home

Replacing the original windows

Mr and Mrs Leeman have lived in their Woodbridge home since it was built in 2002, and over the years they have maintained and improved it into a house that suits them well. The original windows were the part that had never quite measured up. They had grown stiff to open and awkward to maintain, and the couple felt their quality no longer reflected the rest of the home.

Replacing them was not entirely straightforward. A covenant on the development requires the front elevation to keep its original character, so any new windows at the front had to stay sympathetic to the original sash design and in keeping with the neighbouring houses. Having already worked with us on their conservatory, the Leemans knew our work and were confident we could find something that satisfied the covenant without compromising on quality.

Choosing traditional style PVCu windows

The couple wanted the look of their home kept intact and its performance brought up to date: windows that were more reliable, more secure, warmer, and far less work to maintain. Our Bygone and Evolution PVCu ranges gave them that combination, which is what led them to it.

What won them over was the detail. They were struck by the wood-effect joints, made to mimic traditional timber butt joints, which give the frames an authenticity that holds up at close quarters rather than only from the pavement. That traditional styling is also what satisfied the covenant, while the modern construction brought the ease of operation and comfort the old windows had lost. The Leemans were pleased to find that several of their neighbours had chosen the same route, which told them it was the accepted answer on their street.

Bygone sash windows for this Woodbridge Home

For the front of the house, where the covenant applied, the couple chose Bygone Symphony sash windows, which closely echo the proportions and detailing of the original timber sashes. Slim meeting rails, timber-look joints and well-chosen hardware recreate the familiar look that mattered most on the elevation everyone sees.

They finished the sashes in Farrow and Ball White Tie, a softer, warmer tone than the standard brilliant white of most PVCu, and completed them with antique brass Acorn locks and limit stops that add a quiet contrast against the pale frames.

Authentic timber detailing, thoughtfully recreated in PVCu

The appearance of timber windows, combined with the benefits of low-maintenance PVCu construction, made our timber alternative windows an especially appealing choice for Mr & Mrs Leeman.

They were particularly impressed by the wood-effect construction at the frame joints. Designed to recreate the appearance of traditional timber butt joints, this detail adds to the authentic look of the finished windows and helps them sit naturally within their home.

The traditional styling of our PVCu windows also satisfied the requirements of the covenant, while the modern design offered the comfort, performance and ease of operation the that had been missing from the originals. Mr & Mrs Leeman were also delighted to discover that many of their neighbours had chosen the same solution, making it a natural fit for the development and helping to preserve the carefully considered character of the street for years to come.

Could PVCu be right for your home?

For the Leemans, PVCu let them keep the traditional appearance they loved and give the house a reliable, low-maintenance update, from the sashes on the front elevation to the casements at the rear. Every property is different, though, and whether PVCu is the right choice depends on your home and any restrictions that apply to it, whether a development covenant like theirs or a conservation area designation. Our team can help you establish what your property allows before you decide.

If you are looking for new windows for your home, our PVCu ranges offer a wide choice of traditional styles, finishes and detailing to suit your property.

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