Call us 01709 838188 or Get in Touch
8-10 weeks current supply only lead time
10 year warranty, 60 year life expectancy
12-14 weeks current supply and installation lead time
Designed by you, made to measure by us
98% of our customers would recommend us
Double glazed whole window U-values as low as 1.2W/m²K
The Guard House is an impressive Grade II listed property situated in the centre of the historic city of Winchester. As its name eludes, the property once guarded the entrance to the Peninsula Barracks which were built in the early 20th century and included cells to detain unruly soldiers. The Guard House was converted into a residential property in 1995/96 and as a listed property retained many of its period details.
A light and airy feel presides throughout this period property which features some delightful architectural details, such as sash windows and fireplaces. The spacious property boasts a dual-aspect dining hall, inner hallway and large dual-aspect sitting room. A stand-out feature of the sitting room is the original cell window, which is in the room where soldiers were detained, while French doors lead out towards the courtyard garden.
The property was recently purchased by a new owner who required window replacements due to rotting frames and sought to enhance the energy efficiency of the building, earning it a higher EPC rating. The challenge was to pass planning requirements for a Grade II listed property while incorporating modern features into the replacement windows and doors.
Working with listed buildings is far from a straightforward process; Historic England who govern all listed properties of historic interest around England are very particular about the approach of those seeking to breathe new life into old buildings.
Bereco’s design team created CAD drawings and visuals of the new windows overlaid onto property photos for client approval. These drawings were submitted for planning application and satisfied the Grade II listed properties’ stringent planning requirements, resulting in a successful application for the client. From there, the Bereco installation team worked in concert with the design team to conduct meticulous surveys to match existing windows accurately, ensuring precision in replicating historical details.
The replacement included Bereco’s Traditional Range Sliding Sash windows, engineered from sustainably sourced FSC®100% Redwood timber. Triple-glazing with a remarkable U-value of 0.8 W/m2k was used to enhance energy efficiency. Pivoting reversible windows were replaced with Tilt & Turn windows, providing a wider opening for fire escape, exceptional air tightness and low U-values.
External doors were upgraded to Bereco Triple glazed flush doors, equipped with double weather seals, adjustable 3D hinges, multipoint espagnolette locking, and Neighbourhood Watch approved cylinders. The entire project adhered to strict planning requirements for a Grade II listed property.
Every window and door were tailor-made to complement the property’s historical features. Customisation options included slim frames, rail thicknesses, ovolo moulding details, and lambs tongue glazing bars. They were factory-finished using Bereco’s 4-stage finishing process in RAL 9016 Traffic White. The front elevation windows had a dual colour finish to their frames with white internally and BS381C 227 Deep Brunswick Green externally, contributing to a cohesive aesthetic.
Bereco successfully met the unique challenges posed by The Guard House, providing bespoke timber windows and doors that combined historical authenticity with modern performance. The careful attention to detail, customisation, and proactive planning resulted in an energy-efficient, visually stunning transformation that adhered to the property’s historical significance.
Whether you’re a homeowner working on a renovation project for your home, an architect looking for specific windows and doors, or a trade professional building new homes and properties, we offer a tailored service to help you budget, design, and order bespoke timber windows and doors.
HomeownersProfessionalsOrder corner samples of popular products including stain, ironmongery and bars delivered straight to your front door.
Order Product SamplesBill
Adam
Katie
Dennis
Dennis
Keith
As a dedicated manufacturer of quality timber windows and doors, we are part of a number of specialist memberships and schemes. Check out the full list below.
We’re pleased to announce our brand has featured in several national magazines and publications over the years. Here are some of the most recent places our products have been showcased.
Sign up to our mailing list and be kept up to date with our latest news, promotions and inspiration for your next project.
Please fill in the form below to gain access to our resource centre.
