Windows

Windows are a prime feature in all historic buildings in the Conservation Area. Replacement windows which do not match the originals can diminish the character of the whole building and may also affect the property's value. Replacement front windows which match the traditional material, styling and method of opening will meet the criteria of the City Council's window policy and thus not need Planning Permission. If inappropriate windows are fitted in a Conservation Area building without consent, there may be difficulties in selling the property, and owners run the risk of being forced to reinstate the original type of window.

There are several points to consider concerning the proper care of windows on listed, or pre-1914 unlisted buildings in the West End:

In the Conservation Area, you should check first with the City Council's Development and Regeneration Services (Heritage and Design Section) when considering altering or replacing windows, as Planning Permission may be required. (See Statutory Bodies and Other Organisations for a list of City Council services with their addresses and telephone numbers.)

  • Traditional timber sash & case windows should be repaired rather than replaced whenever possible. A good joiner can usually overhaul a rotted window and this is always cheaper than a replacement. Renewing existing windows helps maintain the original character of a building, particularly where there are distinctive Victorian glazing patterns or Art Nouveau stained glass panels. Using a local craftsman to overhaul your existing windows also helps the area's economy.

  • If you must replace windows, they should match the original material and style. Vertical-opening sash & case windows are the most suitable type of window for a pre-1914 stone building. Cleaning new traditional sash & case windows can be facilitated by having special ironmongery fitted. Rear windows for an awkward kitchen or bathroom location should resemble the originals but can open in a different manner.

  • Think twice before you replace original timber windows with uPVC plastic or aluminium. The sizeable investment required for plastic or aluminium windows is rarely returned in the sale price of a property and the loss of your house's "period" characteristics can actually decrease its value. Also note that it is not necessarily true that plastic and metal windows are cheaper to maintain than timber (relative to the installation costs).

  • "Modern" materials such as uPVC and aluminium are alien to the Conservation Area. Plastic and metal windows can never exactly replicate the original timber windows due to the way they are manufactured and fitted; they tend to look clumsy and inelegant compared to traditional windows. Also, the brilliant white of uPVC is too harsh for the subtle colours of an old stone building.

  • If properly maintained, traditional timber windows need not be draughty, heavy or rot-prone. Experienced joiners can turn old windows into new with the following steps:

  • Secondary (internal) double glazing can be very effective for heat and sound insulation. It also has the advantages of less cost and less disturbance to the building's external appearance.

    Painting Timber Windows

    Originally, windows in the West End were usually painted black, often with white edging. After the war, "corporation green" became a common colour. Painting windows brilliant white is a relatively recent phenomenon and does not complement the building as dark colours do. Most terraces or tenement blocks have a distinctive window colour and you should paint yours to match. Above all, consistency across a facade should be reinstated. The Planning Department's Conservation Section or your local street or residents' association can tell you if a standard colour scheme for your terrace has been established.

    Matching paint colour is particularly important in semi-detached or terraced properties. It is to everyone's benefit to agree on a single colour--especially for timber eaves--to avoid an abrupt colour change in the middle of the building. Select a dark colour which will complement the stone.



    The Glasgow Conservation Trust West has published a detailed guide to traditional doors, windows and woodwork as part of the West End Conservation Manual. Please see Historic Woodwork for further information.


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    This is the official website of the

    Glasgow Conservation Trust West
    30 Cranworth Street
    Glasgow G12 8AG
    (0141) 339 0092

    updated September 2000.

    Comments or queries are welcome. Please eMail to: GLASGOWWEST@cqm.co.uk