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What era is your home? A quick guide to UK windows


Every home is of an era - and every era has windows that belong. When the match is right, character and comfort work together without compromise. 

This guide helps you identify your home's “generation” and understand what typically suits it – from Elizabethan leaded lights to contemporary walls of glass. The best results come from matching proportions, sightlines and opening styles, not simply copying a look.

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Key Takeaways

  • Match proportions first – height, width and frame profiles matter more than copying a look
  • Opening style is era-specific – sash windows suit Georgian and Victorian; casements work better for inter-war and later homes
  • Keep sightlines slim where the era demands it - Georgian/Regency especially
  • Glazing bar patterns have meaning – use them to reflect the era, not as decoration
  • Modern performance is achievable – triple glazed windows can now meet heritage requirements while delivering exceptional thermal comfort
  • Factor in exposure – coastal wind, salt and sand require hardware and maintenance specifications to match
  • Remember that installation detailing is performance – correct sills, thresholds, seals and interfaces matter as much as the product itself

How do I identify what era my house was built in?

Look for architectural clues: window proportions, roof pitch, decorative details and door styles all indicate the period.

Georgian homes favour strict symmetry and sash windows with multiple small panes. Victorian properties often feature bay windows and more ornate decoration. Edwardian homes typically feel lighter and brighter with simpler detailing. Your local planning authority's records or Historic England's database can confirm exact dates.

  • Elizabethan and Jacobean (c.1550–1625)

    Typical look: Small panes, leaded lights, timber casements, often with stone mullions and transoms on higher-status buildings. Heavy, characterful doors with robust ironmongery.

    Best modern approach: Slim, traditionally proportioned casements with leaded-style glazing where appropriate. Focus on authentic divisions, deep reveals and hardware designed to cope with exposure. These buildings demand respect for their weight and solidity.

  • Georgian (c. 1700–1837)

    Typical look: Elegant box sash windows with larger panes becoming more common as glass manufacturing improved. Panelled front doors, fanlights and sometimes sidelights complete the façade.

    Best modern approach: Prioritise slim sightlines and correct sash proportions. Glazing bar patterns should reflect the period – typically multiple smaller panes. Timber windows offer the authentic aesthetic Georgian homes deserve.

  • Victorian (1837–1901)

    Typical look: Huge variety spanning over sixty years of architectural change. Sash windows remain common, bay windows become popular, and decorative details increase. Expect horned sashes and coloured or stained upper panes.

    Best modern approach: Respect the busier detailing that characterises this era – bays, mouldings and patterned upper lights all contribute to authentic character. Many Victorian homes suit either sash or traditional casement styles.

  • Edwardian (1901–1914)

    Typical look: A brighter, wider feel than Victorian predecessors. Both sash and casement windows appear, with a common pattern of large clear lower panes and smaller panes above.

    Best modern approach: Keep upper-pane patterns subtle and lower glass clearer. Doors often suit glazed upper panels with simple, confident detailing. This era valued simplicity over Victorian exuberance.

  • Inter-war (1919–1939)

    Typical look: The rise of casement windows, often with top-hung fanlights. Simpler geometry reflects changing tastes, with occasional steel or Crittall-style influences appearing in more progressive designs.

    Best modern approach: Casements usually look right here, especially with top-hung arrangements. Choose hardware and seals designed to cope with daily use and exposure – practical performance matters as much as appearance.

Post-war (1945–1975)

Typical look: Functional, standardised windows and doors. Larger panes, simpler frames, and increasing use of aluminium from the 1960s with early uPVC appearing later in this period.

Best modern approach: Clean lines suit these homes. Focus on thermal performance, airtightness and practical operation rather than decorative glazing. Modern triple glazing delivers dramatic comfort improvements.

Post-Modern & Modern (c.1975–2000)

Typical look: A mix of styles – sometimes playful shapes, sometimes traditional pastiche. Double glazing becomes common during this period, though older units now underperform.

Best modern approach: Let the house lead. If it's intentionally modern, keep it crisp. If it adopts traditional styling, choose modern systems with appropriately restrained proportions. Many homes from this era benefit most from straightforward upgrades focused on thermal performance.

View of a triple-glazed, aluminum-clad timber entrance door in a futuristic new build.

Contemporary (c.2000–present)

Typical look: Bigger openings, more glass, more choice. Aluminium, timber and composite frames all feature. Performance expectations rise with tightening building regulations, and architectural ambition often pushes boundaries.

Best modern approach: Specify for comfort – low-E glazing, strong seals, good thresholds and careful installation detailing. Consider larger fixed panes, lift-and-slide doors or bifolds - owners have the most freedom to prioritise both aesthetics and energy efficiency without heritage constraints.


Do I need planning permission to change windows in a period property?

If your property is listed or within a conservation area, you'll likely need consent before replacing windows.

The requirements vary by local authority, but generally focus on maintaining the building's historic character. This includes matching original proportions, materials and opening mechanisms. Working with experienced suppliers who understand heritage requirements can significantly smooth the approval process. See how Norrsken windows in listed buildings balance heritage authenticity with contemporary performance.

Can triple glazing work in heritage properties?

Yes – modern triple glazing technology has advanced significantly. High-performance units can now be specified with slim profiles that satisfy conservation requirements while delivering exceptional thermal performance.

The key is working with manufacturers who understand both heritage aesthetics and contemporary engineering. Many listed buildings now benefit from triple glazing that appears indistinguishable from period-appropriate single glazing.

What's the difference between casement and sash windows?

Sash windows slide vertically within the frame – typically associated with Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian properties.

Casement windows hinge open outward or inward – common in Tudor, inter-war and contemporary buildings. Choosing the correct type for your home's era ensures authentic appearance and proper visual proportions.

Finding your perfect match

Every home tells a story through its windows and doors. Understanding your property's era helps you make choices that honour its character while creating the comfortable, energy-efficient home you want to live in.

Whether you're renovating a Georgian gem, updating an Edwardian semi, or improving a post-war property, the right windows make all the difference. And with modern engineering, you no longer have to choose between authenticity and performance.

Ready to explore what's possible for your home? Get in touch to start the conversation.

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