Windows for Listed Buildings: What's Allowed and Approved Options

Repair vs replacement

In general, English Heritage’s guidance highlights a preference for repairing windows in listed properties. This is due to repairs preserving the original character

• Repairs preserve the character of your home and its historic fabric
• Repairs don’t normally need local planning consent
• Repairs are generally more environmentally sustainable than full replacements (although our aluminium window frames are infinitely recyclable!)

Replacements are permitted so long as “The replacement window should match the form, detailing and operation of the window to be copied.” (Traditional Window Guide, Historic England). As a result, it’s important to work with a company that can create bespoke, made to measure designs that fit the style and design of the original window. It’s also important that the material of the window is in keeping with the original. uPVC windows are never appropriate for listed buildings and using “off the shelf” wooden windows is also discouraged.

Where style can be replicated, materials can be swapped out, for example aluminium can mimic the look of steel at a much more affordable price.

If you wish to replace windows in your listed building, then it depends on your local council’s consent. It is up to the council to decide if the ‘character of the building’ will be affected.

If the windows in a listed building can be repaired, then it is unlikely that consent will be given.

A technician is required to confirm that a window cannot be repaired. In some circumstances, the window can be replaced if it is not the original one, or as part of a renovation project where some or all of the original windows have been damaged or destroyed.

Historically, when local authorities have consented to replacement they have stipulated using traditional materials i.e. wood frames which allows for thin frames to support light, thin glazing. Modern glazing tends to be thick and heavy requiring thick frames to support it. However, recent developments in aluminium now mean that this is no longer the case.

Slim and ultra slim framed thermally efficient aluminium windows are now available. These can be made to match the windows of a bygone era found in many listed buildings.

Alitherm Heritage slim systems have already been approved for listed building projects by many councils including:

London Boroughs of Islington, Camden and Tower Hamlets, Watford Borough Council, Essex County Council and Leeds City Council as well as Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service.