Listing means that a building is included on the National Heritage List as a property of ‘special architectural or historic interest’.

It means that its special character must be maintained and owners have a responsibility and a duty to ensure its upkeep.

GRADE I

Buildings are of exceptional interest; only 2.5% of listed buildings are Grade I.

GRADE II*

Buildings are particularly important, being of more than special interest; 5.5% of listed buildings are Grade II*.

GRADE II

Buildings of special architectural or historic interest; 92% of listed buildings are Grade II.

In England there are approximately 376,000 listed buildings.

If you wish to replace windows in your listed building then it is dependent upon consent from your local council. 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 window, or as part of a renovation project where some or all of the original windows have been destroyed.

A typical local council will grant consent if the works do not have:

any adverse effect upon the special architectural or historic interest of the building or its setting, are appropriate in terms of design, scale, detailing and materials and minimise the loss of the historic fabric of the building.

A grade II listed building is more likely to receive consent for window replacement than a grade I or grade II* listed building.

New extensions with glazing in keeping with the original style can receive consent.

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.

1. Alitherm Heritage profiles have been developed to precisely match the slim profiles of traditional steel windows.
2. Window furniture is synonymous with Victorian and Art Deco styles including ‘Monkey Tail’ and ‘Bulb’ options.
3. Alchemy anodising offers eight colour matches, including shades of gold, bronze, silver, grey and black, and combines the unique style and aesthetics of traditional anodising

Read more about Alitherm Heritage

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Historic Ketton Village

Kinglsley House

Grade II listed Farmhouse

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