Flush Casement Windows in Conservation Areas

Flush casement windows

At Aspect Windows and Doors our Flush casement windows are made with traditional style in mind. This traditional approach doesn't ignore the benefits of modern design technology though. You get superior quality, energy efficiency and excellent security as standard on all our flush casement windows.

As the name implies, our flush casement windows sit flush within the window frame, giving a clean, traditional and simple look. Our flush casement windows are available in uPVC or timber and offer the bonus of a wide range of colour options and furniture that can be added on to ensure every part matches your home the way it was intended. In short, there is nothing gawdy or flashy about these windows, making them the perfect choice for properties that are older or situated within conservation areas.

What is a conservation area?

The term conservation area almost always applies to an area which is usually urban or at the centre of a village that is of special architectural or historic interest, the character of which is considered worthy of preservation or enhancement. It creates a precautionary approach to the loss or alteration of buildings and trees and it has some of the legislative and policy characteristics of listed buildings and tree preservation orders.

The concept of the conservation area was introduced in 1967, and by 2017 almost 9,800 had been designated in England as such places.

Replacement windows in a conservation area

Replacing windows in a conservation area could land you in trouble with the authorities, particularly if you change the overall look of the building. Windows are more than a means of looking out at the scenery and keeping the rain and wind out in these areas. The window is one of the defining features of a building and one of the main visual characteristics of it.

Changing from an original flush casement window to another style is likely to see you fall foul of planning permissions. You may prefer a different style of window, but in conservation areas you may not have the choice to change from the original design style as this will change the aesthetic of the property too much.

Replace or repair? Does it matter which?

Many local authorities tend to prefer repair over replacement of windows on properties set within a conservation area. If your property has windows of particular historical interest, these should be made good with an accurate repair that has been carefully matched to the original window. These sort of repairs do not require planning permission in conservation areas. Altering or replacing windows does require planning permission, so checking before any work is carried out is vital.

Replacing historic windows with double glazing

One of the main features of historic windows is that they only have single glazing. This seems pretty obvious as double glazing was not a thing until relatively recent times. Clearly a single pane window will be far less efficient than a modern double glazed unit, and the age of the windows will mean they are likely to be draughty and may even allow water in in places too. A secondary window on the inside is sometimes fitted to combat these issues and although this may slightly improve the performance of historic windows, it's still not an ideal solution. Simply ripping out the old window and installing modern double glazing units, even a matching style such as flush casements, may not be possible. Remember the repair policy on these types of property.

When window repair is impossible

Should windows in conservation areas be beyond repair, or replacement is necessary for other considerations such as energy efficiency or even security, there are many options available, so do not to despair. Aspect Windows and Doors produce windows that maintain the authentic look and feel of historic windows from uPVC and best of all, they pass local planning authority guidelines.

As long as you use use a company like Aspect who specialise in heritage windows, you will be fine. This is because we are fully aware of the process of planning and getting them passed by the local planning officer. Our experience means that we have window designs that have already been approved for use in these kind of areas in the past. This experience means that we are confident that permission is more likely to be granted, thus speeding up the whole process.

Aspect flush casement windows

Flush casement windows are neat, tidy and practical. As mentioned above, a property set within a conservation area is more likely to be fitted witholder styles of windows and these arelikely to be a flush casement window by virtue of their age, and when repair is impossible, uPVC could well be the answer.

Each of our windows, regardles of style, are made exactly to your requirements. We match the style of frame and even the type of glass, so that you end up with the look you want. This may be even more important, if not vital, if you live in a conservation area.

Some benefits of using Aspect Windows and Doors

• All our windows are energy efficient to reduce your heating bills
• Our windows and doors have added security features
• All our uPVC windows feature A+ double glazing as standard
• Some of our windows can be used in certain conservation areas.

With our premium flush casement windows you get uPVC window frames for extra high performance with very low maintenance.

Some main benefits of having flush casement widows in uPVC

Our flush casement windows offer fantastic insulation and vastly improve heat retention. This is a clear benefit, particularly if fitted to an older property. After all, the main function of a window or door is to keep the heat in and the cold and wet out.

All double glazing units have an insulating layer of air trapped between the two panes of glass and this insulating layer helps you retain up to sixty percent more heat than a traditional single glazed window. When all your windows and exterior doors are replaced with double glazed units, you notice the difference in your comfort levels, noise reduction from outside and security almost instantly.

Save on heating bills with double glazing

Lower energy bills is a huge benefit, particularly since the prices for gas and electric have gone up quite a lot recently. Clearly, if your home is retaining more heat, you will have the heating on for a shorter time, saving you a good sum of cash.

Enjoy a quieter life with double glazing

No matter what style of uPVC replacement windows and doors you have, you will instantly notice the difference in noise. One customer was astounded when we fitted flush casement windows on his home and he initially thought he had lost his hearing to a degree. It was simply because his house was rather close to a motorway and he had simply become used to the noise of the traffic. Suddenly this noise had gone and he couldn't understand why he could no longer hear this background drone from the nearby road.

Repairs and maintenance reduced

The benefits of flush casement windows in uPVC is clear over timber. No more rotting wood or attack from wood boring insects. There are preparations available that make keeping uPVC clean and new looking. A quick spray and wipe is a lot easier than rubbing down timber, filling, sanding and painting it to keep the look of your property as you want.

Security and value added to your property

The security levels of your property will be significantly increased when you have double glazing from Aspect Windows and Doors fitted. This added security is even more welcome on some older properties, such as those in conservation areas, as they historically had poor security on the flush casement windows. In fact some of these windows had external hinges that could be removed with the entire frame within a matter of seconds.

The added security, heat efficiency and ease of maintenance all go a long way to increasing the overall value of your property at the poinht of sale too. It stands to reason that a prospective buyer will want to reduce any future repair or replacement liability when looking for a new home. Having windows and doors fitted professionaly before the house goes on the market will certainly increase your properties kerb appeal.

So if you are looking for new flush casement windows and particularly if your property is situated within the confines of a conservation area, call Aspect Windows and Doors today for some good old fashioned advise and true craftsmanship.

 

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Further Information

If you would like to know more or are interested in a quote we would be happy to help. Phone us on 01438 311 412, email us at enquiries@aspectwindowsanddoors.co.uk or fill in our enquiry form and we will be in touch as soon as possible.