Renovating listed building windows: a comprehensive guide

Key Highlights

• Renovating windows in listed buildings requires careful consideration of legal restrictions to preserve historic features.
• Before starting any renovation work, it is essential to understand any legalities, planning permission and listed building consent required.
• If a listed building also falls within a conservation area, further restrictions may apply.
• Choosing the right products and timber window suppliers to work with is crucial to ensure a successful window renovation project.

Introduction

Replacing the old windows in a listed building is often a common area of controversy and strict control. This is because listed buildings maintain a lot of history and are therefore, valued for their architectural significance.

Like many other features within these properties, the traditional windows play a fundamental role in helping to preserve the character and charm of the building. But, over time, they’ll need to be replaced due to degradation, or the need to eliminate unwanted draughts and to improve the overall energy efficiency of the listed property.

Understanding the restrictions surrounding window renovation in listed buildings is a crucial yet complex task, so we have created this comprehensive guide which outlines everything, from defining what’s meant by the term listed building, to explaining the process to obtain the right approval and highlighting how to choose the perfect windows for your project.

Read on for more.

What is a listed building?

Buildings are ‘listed’ because they are considered to be of special architectural or historic interest and as a result, require special protection by the government.

Listed buildings are categorised by their importance and in England there are three different grades including:

• Grade I – Exceptionally important building of the highest national interest.
• Grade II* – Particularly important buildings with more than special interest.
• Grade II – Building of special architectural or historical interest.

Ultimately, any work on a listed property will require approval through a special planning process to ensure that any modifications respect the historical and architectural value of the structure.

Understanding the significance of windows in listed buildings

Windows are a major part of a building’s facade and character which is why they are such a crucial aspect of any restoration project.

Typically, windows in listed buildings are often unique and feature traditional designs and craftmanship. Sash windows, in particular, are commonly found in listed buildings. With their traditional style and vertical operation, sliding sash windows add to the architectural significance of any property. So, preserving and renovating types of windows like these is essential to maintain the authenticity and historic value of listed buildings.

Legal framework and restrictions

As mentioned above, being classed as a listed building imposes certain limitations on any alterations made to a property. Special approval known as ‘listed building consent’ and planning permission is required before any changes are made to the windows.

Additionally, if the listed building falls within a conservation area, further restrictions may apply. Before you begin any work, always consult with the local planning authorities to feel confident you are complying with the regulations successfully.

The process of obtaining listed building consent and planning permission in the UK

Once you have verified if the planned works require listed building consent and planning permission, it’s time to get started on the application which will require detailed information about the proposed works including:

• A detailed description of the works planned
• Drawings and plans illustrating the changes
• A statement explaining how the work respect the building’s architectural significance
• Copies of supporting documents like materials specifications and structural reports

All applications for listed building consent or planning permission can be made online through the national Planning Portal website or in paper form to the relevant local planning authority.

Work with the right experts to acquire planning permission for listed buildings

For complete peace of mind that your listed building consent and planning permission includes all of the relevant information, it could be worth working with someone with experience in these projects. Their expertise will ensure the application meets the necessary standards to help increase your chances of approval.

At Bereco, we have extensive experience with conservation projects and listed buildings, we have worked with conservation officers across the UK to ensure that the windows we manufacture and supply for listed buildings retain the required aesthetics for these types of houses, and we even have a dedicated range designed for these areas, more on that below.

Options for renovating windows in listed buildings: Bereco heritage range

When renovating a listed building, if the original windows are beyond repair look for a replacement that will complement the property’s architectural structure and deliver outstanding performance equivalent to modern double glazing.

Our new Heritage Range aims to help simplify the process of replacing windows in listed buildings by offering a selection of products specifically designed for historic buildings where conservation approval is required.

The Heritage window range includes single glazing, slimline glass options, reduced sections on sliding sash and deeper bottom rails, making it ideal for projects that require particular attention to detail.

Selecting the right window supplier for your project

Choosing the right window supplier to work with for your renovation project is essential to guarantee the replacement products you choose comply with the listed building and planning permission requirements.

At Bereco, we have been supplying timber windows for homes across the UK since 2003 and, to this day, continue to work with our customers to ensure our products are the perfect solution for restoration and conservation work.

If you’re a homeowner working on a project that requires particular attention to detail, get in touch with our team of experts today. Always on hand to help, our specialists will work closely with you to discuss your specific needs to find the best options from our full range of wooden windows for you.