Timber flush windows & doors restore 1930’s glory to Ipswich home
Rediscovering a home’s identity with new windows and doors
Some houses tell their story quietly. Others make you stop and look. This elegant bay-fronted home in Ipswich does both.
When Tim and Robbie bought number 93, they knew it wasn’t perfect. Like many early-20th-century homes, much of its original character had been stripped away over the years. But what the house still had was presence. Strong 1930s proportions. A beautiful frontage. Tall chimneys. And, crucially, the potential to be put back on the right path.
Their aim was not to modernise for the sake of it. It was to restore. To bring period-sensitive splendour back where it belonged, using materials, designs and details that respected the house’s original intent; while benefiting from modern performance. That is where we came in with windows and doors to bring this gorgeous house back to its former glory.
Our primary objective was to replace the mismatched old double-glazing units and front door with something more in keeping with the style and period, more sympathetic to the age of the house. We had a very specific idea of what we wanted and knew we’d need a supplier who could realise that vision. We’re very particular and understanding what we wanted was the most significant requirement.
The project brief
Tim and Robbie are meticulous by nature. From the moment they began researching their home, they were digging into local archives, uncovering original drawings, and learning exactly how the house was meant to look when it was approved almost 90 years ago.
Their brief to us was clear:
- Replace all windows and doors with timber flush designs true to the 1930s period
- Restore balance, symmetry and correct sightlines
- Recreate the presence of an original porch and entrance
- Choose colours, glazing patterns and hardware that felt authentic
They had already seen our work locally and visited our Woodbridge showroom, where they could see, touch and compare real timber windows and doors. More importantly, they wanted a partner who would listen, advise, and help refine their ideas. We knew this couple had specific intent for how their home was to look and we had the solutions.
Burgess Group windows and doors. The backbone of the restoration
While much of the interior work has been tackled gradually, the windows and doors were always a priority. As Tim and Robbie put it, getting the outside calm and “right” was essential before moving on to the rest.
In this project, glazing wasn’t just a finishing touch. It was fundamental to restoring the house’s identity. By reinstating correct proportions, materials and details, the windows and doors have re-anchored the house in its era. They now frame every room properly, enhance natural light, and support the careful interior choices being made over the time it’s taken to restore the house.
Bespoke timber flush casement windows
Throughout the property, we supplied and installed bespoke timber flush casement windows, designed specifically to suit early-20th-century architecture.
Every window was made to measure, with careful attention and a focus on detail. The bespoke windows and doors recreate the original and come with flush external profiles, traditional ovolo detailing, balanced glazing proportions and the symmetry only this type of window provides in a home.
Leaded upper fanlights were incorporated to echo period detailing, while modern, high-performance glass units ensure excellent thermal and acoustic performance.
Nearly a century on from the original build, the house once again looks right.
Re-establishing the front door and porch
One of the most transformative elements of the project was the front entrance. The porch had been altered, the windows replaced with mismatched double glazing, and the front door, while functional, no longer reflected the age, proportions or personality of the house.
Original research revealed that what was assumed to be a later add-on porch was, in fact, part of the house’s original design, making this home unique within its street. That discovery shaped everything that followed.
Working closely with Tim and Robbie, we helped design a new arrangement that reinstated the house’s presence and kerb appeal. The three-panel Wakehurst door design references early-1930s styling, while the more decorative glazing brings light and period detail back to the façade.
With frames colour-matched to Farrow & Ball Shadow White and Beverly for the door, the entrance feels calm, confident and entirely appropriate for the house. Antique brass ironmongery completes the look.
Luxurious and long-lasting French doors
At the back of the house is an elegant set of Bardwell design timber French doors with flag windows on each side, having fanlight openers for ventilation. All are externally colour matched to Farrow & Ball Shadow White externally and White RAL 9003 internally with double glazed acoustic safety glass.
The doors open out and come fully weathersealed and protected, to resist the worst of the Suffolk winters. The doors come with high security locks, engaging across multiple points on the door, with a period Newbury aged bronze lever handle on the primary leaf. The secondary door has hidden bolts on the side, that can be opened when required. As with any set of French doors, there is flexibility in using either one or both doors.
A complementary timber side door
At the side of the house is a gorgeous Polstead door, created in a 9-panel glass design above and solid timber panels below. Whilst unique in design, Tim & Robbie opted for the same classic shades and door furniture as the French doors to create a sense of uniformity.
With the same high security specification as the French doors and a low threshold, this new timber back door is secure and provides easy access inside with a minimal step.
A shared approach, delivered with care
Projects like this succeed because of collaboration. Tim and Robbie brought research, patience and a deep respect for their home. Our role was to translate that vision into the right products, the right details, and a finished result that feels just right.
This is what we do at Burgess Group. We don’t just supply windows and doors. We help homeowners make informed decisions, especially when restoring or improving period properties where getting it wrong is easy, but getting it right matters.
Want to see more of the renovation? Tim and Robbie are sharing the story of their home over on Instagram at @theboysat93, with plenty more of the details, ideas and progress behind this project.
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