Windows · 7 min read · Updated 2026
Choosing windows for a period or listed property
On a period property the detail matters more than the material. Get the proportions right and almost everything else follows.
What conservation officers look at
Sightline width, glazing bar profile and depth, how the sash sits within the reveal, the finish, and the opening method. A window that reads correctly from the street will usually be accepted.
Realistic options
The route depends on how tightly your property is protected.
- Listed building — usually timber, on a like-for-like basis, with listed building consent
- Conservation area — often timber or a convincing heritage system; check the local Article 4 direction
- Period but unprotected — flush sash PVC-U or heritage aluminium give the look without the upkeep
Details worth insisting on
Astragal or through-glazing bars rather than stick-on bars. Correct horn detail on vertical sliders. Traditional ironmongery. Slim double-glazed units where sightlines are tight.