Practical guides
Our guides explain what to consider when repairing, restoring or replacing traditional joinery, with practical advice on windows, doors, glazing, shutters and wider façade works.
Condition-led decision guide
7 minute guideThe right approach depends on the condition of the existing joinery. A sash window may need a localised repair, new double-glazed sashes within the original box frame, or complete replacement. The starting point is always the condition of the window itself.
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Scope before headline price
6 minute guideThe repair, glazing, access and finish decisions that change a sash-window quotation—and the information that makes quotes comparable.
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Solve the correct source of discomfort
6 minute guideHow air leakage, glass temperature and external noise differ—and why a serviced sash can outperform expectations without immediate replacement.
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Retain the original box. Upgrade the sashes.
8 minute guideIf the original box frame remains sound, complete window replacement may not be necessary. New made-to-measure hardwood sashes with slim double glazing can often be fitted into the existing frame, improving performance while retaining more of the original joinery.
Read the guideDeal with the water path as well as the timber
6 minute guideWhat sill decay usually reveals, how local timber repairs are formed and when the damage has moved beyond an isolated splice.
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Find the cause before forcing the window
5 minute guideA sash window that will not open properly is not necessarily badly damaged. Paint build-up, swollen timber, failed sash cords, balance problems or movement within the frame can all cause a window to stick—and each requires a slightly different approach.
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Understand where the moisture is coming from
6 minute guideCondensation does not necessarily mean there is something wrong with the window. Where the moisture appears—and when—can help distinguish condensation from failed glazing or water entering from outside.
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Understand the property and permissions before work begins
8 minute guideRepairing or replacing sash windows in a listed building or conservation area can require additional consideration. The right approach depends on the property, the significance of the existing joinery and the nature of the proposed work.
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Replacement should improve more than the paintwork
9 minute guideThe drawings, profiles, timber, glass, balance, hardware and installation details that turn replacement into a durable joinery project.
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Consider the complete entrance, not just the door
8 minute guideA bespoke front door should feel as though it belongs to the property. Proportions, glazing, ironmongery, security and surrounding architectural details all need to be considered together—not simply the design of the door itself.
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Specialist glass, considered with the joinery
7 minute guideStained and decorative glass can be one of the defining features of a period entrance or window. Whether an original panel is being retained or new glass commissioned, it should be considered alongside the surrounding joinery from the beginning.
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Joinery, masonry, access and decoration in one sequence
8 minute guideA homeowner’s framework for coordinating window and door repairs with local masonry work and exterior decoration.
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Agree the detail before manufacture begins
8 minute guideWhen bespoke timber windows or doors are supplied without installation, accurate dimensions, an agreed specification and clear responsibilities are essential. Decisions made before manufacture help ensure the finished joinery arrives ready for the intended opening and installation.
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Design the shutters around the window
6 minute guideWell-designed shutters should feel naturally connected to the window behind them. The proportions of the sash, the depth of the reveal and the way the window is used all influence which shutter arrangement will look and work best.
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