Frequently asked questions

We charge for surveys because they are a genuine piece of work, not a sales call. A member of our team measures the openings, records the original profiles, assesses the condition of the timber and cords, and identifies anything hidden behind paint or plaster. That survey gives you an accurate written specification and price you can rely on, and the fee is set out clearly before we visit so there are no surprises.

In most period homes, repair is the better answer. Original sashes were made from slow‑grown timber that is far more durable than much of what is available today, so restoring them usually costs less and keeps the character of the building intact. We only recommend replacement where the timber is beyond saving or the windows were poorly made. After surveying, we give you an honest comparison of both routes.

It depends on the height and the scope of work. Many ground and first‑floor repairs can be carried out from inside or with a tower or ladder access. Larger restorations, upper storeys or full replacements often need scaffolding for safe, careful work. We assess access during the survey and include any scaffolding or platform requirements in the written quotation so the cost is clear from the outset.

Draught proofing is one of the most cost‑effective upgrades for a period home. Discreet brush seals fitted into the frame stop cold air and rattles while allowing the sashes to run smoothly. You get a warmer, quieter room, lower heating bills, and far less dust and noise from the street. Done well, it is invisible from inside and out and does not alter the appearance of the window.

Yes. We can fit slimline double glazing or vacuum‑insulated units into suitable timber sashes, improving thermal and acoustic performance while keeping the slender sightlines of the original. Where full double glazing is not appropriate, secondary glazing or high‑performance single glass with draught proofing can make a real difference. We advise on the best option for your windows and any conservation constraints.

Often, yes. Conservation areas and listed buildings have stricter rules, but slimline and vacuum‑insulated glazing can frequently be used within timber sashes that match the original profiles. Every case is judged individually, and we help prepare the drawings and specifications a conservation officer will want to see. We will always tell you honestly what is likely to gain consent and what is not.

Our joinery is finished by hand. Hand painting works the finish into the grain and around the mouldings, giving a durable, breathable coating that suits period timber and is easy to maintain and touch up over the years. It also lets us match heritage colours precisely. Windows are primed, undercoated and top‑coated in stages, so the finish protects the timber properly rather than sitting on the surface.

Our studio is at Low Profile House, 94 Vale Road, London N4 1PZ, at Low Profile House in north London. This is where all our joinery is made and restored by hand. From here we serve London and the South East with the full service of survey, restoration, repair and bespoke fitted joinery, and supply made‑to‑measure joinery to the rest of the UK. Visits are by appointment.

Small jobs are welcome. A single stuck sash, a broken cord, a draughty frame or a pane of cracked glass is exactly the kind of work we handle alongside larger projects. Catching a small problem early often prevents a much bigger repair later, when damp and rot have had time to spread. Get in touch and we will arrange for someone to look at it and advise.

Yes. We fit sash locks and fasteners that meet recognised security standards, including insurance‑approved options where you need them for your policy. There is a good range of period‑appropriate ironmongery that combines proper security with the correct look for a heritage window. Tell us your requirements and we will specify hardware that satisfies both your insurer and the character of the building.

Yes. Our new and replacement windows are made and installed to meet current building regulations, including the relevant requirements for thermal performance, safety glazing and means of escape where they apply. Heritage and listed buildings are treated as special cases within those rules. We handle the technical detail so your windows are both compliant and appropriate for the age and status of the property.

We work in a range of quality timbers to suit the building and the budget. Accoya, a modified softwood with excellent stability and a long service life, is a popular choice for new and replacement joinery. We also use European redwood, sapele and traditional hardwoods where they are the right match for existing work. During the survey we recommend the timber best suited to your windows and their exposure.

Traditional box sash windows are balanced with weights and cords rather than springs, and re‑cording is one of the most common repairs we carry out. Where windows use spiral spring balances, as some later or replacement units do, we can replace those too. We identify the balance system during the survey and restore the correct mechanism so the sashes open, hold and close as they should.

Every building is different, so we price each project individually after surveying it. A single repair is modest, while a full restoration or a set of bespoke windows is a larger investment. What we can promise is a clear, itemised written quotation with no hidden extras, so you know exactly what you are paying for. Request a survey and we will give you an accurate figure for your windows.

It is hard to put an exact figure on it, as location and condition matter, but well‑made timber sash windows are a strong selling point in period homes. Buyers value authentic joinery, better thermal comfort and the reassurance of quality workmanship. Sympathetic restoration or replacement protects the character that makes these houses desirable, which supports value far better than unsympathetic uPVC alternatives.

We work cleanly and treat your home with respect. Our teams use dust sheets, protect floors and furnishings, and clear up thoroughly at the end of each day. Restoration inevitably involves some dust from stripping and sanding, but we contain it as much as possible and, where appropriate, carry out the heavier work in our studio rather than in your rooms. We leave the site tidy.

Yes. We work across all of London and the South East for our full service of survey, restoration, repair and bespoke fitted joinery, including Islington, Camden, Hackney, Highgate and the wider capital. Wherever you are in London, we can come and assess your windows. For homes and projects beyond the South East, we supply made‑to‑measure joinery UK‑wide for installation by you or your contractor.