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Citi Homes Windows

What to expect from a window and door site survey? And why it matters before you buy?

Victorian homes are a standout architectural icon in London’s streets. It’s appreciated by the people and cared for by the government. The unique bay windows that create a cosy and delicate charm, and the traditional timber sashes that present a timeless design and natural and vintage feel that is hardly matched. At first glance, it can sound like a fairy tale until the winter heating bills arrive. At the end of the day, most people would sacrifice a tiny piece of history for lower energy bills, especially with current prices and cost-of-living challenges.

Replacing windows, which will upgrade the home’s energy efficiency, sounds simple, but when we are talking about Victorian homes, it presents a different set of challenges. Depending on the location and the council that the property is in, you may be obliged to execute your window replacement and certain aspects of refurbishment under strict planning regulations.

Understanding early whether your property falls under these regulations is crucial, especially when doing a full refurbishment; it will help you to avoid unnecessary delays. The main thing to think about is that when ordering timber, aluminium or even UPVC sash, you will be waiting for around 4 to 8 weeks, also including the waiting for planning approval, the time adds up significantly. For those reasons, time management is crucial in avoiding delays.

Why Victorian windows actually matter?

For Victorian homes, windows are not just windows; they are a part of the heritage that the councils are willing to preserve, even if it means larger energy costs for you. On the other hand, when you’re walking down the street, where every house has those classical windows, and you almost feel like a century back in time, and it just feels classy and authentic. That is one of the reasons, and a big part of Victorian homes still feel “Victorian” from the outside. This is why London boroughs are so strict about keeping the authenticity of these houses intact, especially where these homes are next to each other in rows lining up together.

Everyone wants better insulation for obvious reasons, but before you replace the old windows with something new, make sure to check what rules apply to your Victorian home; otherwise, you can run into big issues with your local council. Certain breaches in specific areas can be treated as criminal offences. So make sure to understand your Victorian home regulations before conducting any external changes.

Do you actually need planning permission?

You may not always need planning permission to change the windows, but if your friend across the street didn’t need planning permission, it doesn’t mean that you don’t need it too. Firstly, check if your building is not listed, then if it’s listed in the conservation area and if there are imposed planning conditions that control your options.

London has a lot of conservation areas, and most of them are made up of Victorian-style buildings. There is no intention from the boroughs to stop you from actually improving your house; it’s just to make sure the changes you are planning to make will fit in with the neighbourhood and its consistency of external look.

If your home falls under a conservation area, you will probably be expected to use timber-looking materials and the same type of frame as the original. Window opening styles and external finishes, including colours to match your neighbours, will also be expected.

So in many cases, trying to put in modern-looking window styles of uPVC, for example, the council would just say no.  Nevertheless there are loads of great certified supply and fit providers that can help you overcome this challenge. You can find slim-line aluminium windows like-for-like that would do the job. If you just need sash windows, then you will have more options to choose from. The right providers tend to offer a wide range of colours to match your requirements. It’s best to look for FENSA certified installers as they can certify your windows when installed, and you won’t need to reach out to the council for certification and pay extra.

For listed buildings, there are even stricter requirements. Anything that changes the historic character, even replacing like-for-like, will probably require consent from the authorities. Avoiding these approvals could get you in a messy situation with the council, and you could be asked to remove the windows and replacing with the right ones and fined for these actions.

How to boost energy efficiency without losing character

We already established that Victorian homes are known for being colder than your typical home due to a number of factors, obviously windows, as they tend to be single-glazed, but also other aspects like insulation.

If you’re planning to do a property refurbishment in London you should think about things like insulation with scrutiny as it may be one of the key factors besides windows when it comes to keeping the warmth in the house. It’s important to consult with experienced specialists like Nova Design & Build who can pinpoint the best options for a long-term sustainable strategy in making sure your hour is energy efficient.

House extensions in London have been on the rise in recent years. Making sure that your extension has the right insulation before it looks pretty is key for long-term energy efficiency. Thinking about practical things before design will pay off.

Interior designers in London will help to find the balance between the modern and Victorian styles without completely erasing the historical feel of the interior if you choose to go for this mixture. Restoring small details like plaster moulds and wooden staircases will preserve the Victorian era in your home.

A final word

Upgrading a Victorian property requires clarification on what can be done and how far you can push it. It’s key to making your home suitable for real life today. Windows are one of the most noticeable attributes of the property as they are visible internally and externally. Besides keeping the planner, energy efficiency is one that makes it count in the long run. Consult with the right windows and refurbishment providers to get your value for money and overall success without losing the Victorian home’s original charm.

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