Timber windows
Timber Windows Restored or Fully Replaced
Old wooden windows should be assessed before they are written off. We restore timber windows or replace them in full, looking at the condition of casements and sashes and the details that give the house its character.
Condition decides whether to save the window
Peeling paint can make a window look worse than the timber underneath. Equally, a recently painted sill can hide soft wood or an opened joint. The first decision is whether the frame and moving sections are sound enough to restore, not whether the finish looks tidy from across the room.
Limited damage may allow useful parts of the existing window to remain. More widespread decay, failing joints or a frame that has lost its shape can make full replacement the better route. We assess the actual windows at a survey so you can compare a restoration proposal with replacement on the basis of condition.
Timber casements: match the way they close
Timber casement windows open on hinges at the side or top. Some close with the sash level with the frame, while others have an overlapping edge that stands proud. That difference affects the appearance and how a replacement should relate to neighbouring windows that are staying.
Look at the glazing bars, the width of visible timber and the number of opening panes as well as the overall size. A replacement can be the same outer dimensions and still look quite different if those details change. Identifying how the existing casement is built helps you compare a restoration or replacement that suits the house.
Timber sash windows: keep the vertical proportions
A traditional sash has sliding glazed sections and, on a box sash, cords and weights concealed in the side frames. A window that sticks or will not stay open may have a mechanism fault as well as worn paint or seals. The timber and the moving parts should be considered together.
If replacement is needed, meeting rails, glazing patterns and the balance between upper and lower panes influence the result. If restoration is appropriate, retaining sound original material can preserve details that are difficult to reproduce exactly. Compare restoring the original timber, replacing it with new timber or choosing a uPVC slider around the window's condition and any restrictions.
Period homes and permissions
A wooden window's character comes from proportions and joinery, not simply from choosing a brown or woodgrain finish. On an older elevation, changing frame widths or glazing-bar spacing can be as noticeable as changing material. Consider the front of the house as a whole, especially when only some windows need work.
Listed buildings and conservation restrictions can affect whether repair or replacement is permitted and what details must be retained. Check with the local planning authority before ordering. A sympathetic design is a useful starting point, but it is not a substitute for any consent the property needs.
Glazing, draughts and ongoing care
Draughts can come from the fit between moving sections, worn seals or the surrounding opening. Misted sealed glass is a different fault. Discuss which problems a restoration will address and which changes require a different glazing or frame arrangement, so the expected result is clear.
Timber also needs continuing care. Paint or stain protects the wood, and damaged finishes should be addressed before moisture is left against the surface. Keep an eye on sills, lower rails and joints where water gathers. A restored or new timber window remains a product to maintain, not a promise that repainting will never be needed.
Compare restoration with a complete replacement
We offer a free survey with a fixed written price and no-pressure quotations. Timber windows are restored or fully replaced, and every frame is measured, made and fitted by our own team. The site is left tidy at the end of each day. Use the form below for a timber window assessment, or compare the wider Windows range if you are considering a change of material where that is permitted.
Questions
Common Questions
Can old timber windows be restored?
Often, where sufficient timber and the main joints remain sound. Localised damage, worn finishes and some operating faults can be addressed without discarding the whole window. Widespread decay or failed structure can point towards full replacement instead.
Timber or uPVC for a period home?
Timber can preserve the original material and joinery appearance, but needs ongoing care. uPVC flush or sash styles offer a lower-upkeep alternative where permitted. The existing proportions and any conservation restrictions should guide the choice.
Can I replace only the worst timber windows?
The windows can be assessed individually. If work is phased, agree the proportions, glazing pattern and finish so later decisions can be compared with the first replacements and the windows that remain.
Does peeling paint mean a timber window needs replacing?
No. It is a reason to check the underlying timber and joints. Sound wood with a failing finish may be a restoration candidate; soft or structurally damaged sections need a fuller assessment.