Call London and Surrey Windows for a Soho Certified Window Company
Soho Window Company, call London and Surrey Windows on 0208 058 2765 or use our simple online contact form. Our experienced, independently star rated, Soho Window Companies (Specialists) Team can assist you with any Soho Certified Windows Company requirements, so please do not hesitate to contact our team on 0208 058 2765.
Timber remains the traditional and often preferred material. Softwoods and hardwoods, including engineered timber, offer authentic appearance, excellent thermal performance when properly detailed, and the ability to be repaired rather than replaced. Authorities responsible for conservation areas and listed buildings frequently require timber construction alone.
To Contact
Modern material choices include quality uPVC and aluminium systems created to match timber profiles. These materials provide lower maintenance, competitive thermal performance and a wide range of colours and wood-effect finishes. Aluminium adds strength for larger openings, while uPVC remains the most economical option for many owners.
Sash windows offer many practical benefits. Controlled ventilation arises from simultaneous air intake at top and bottom. Balanced proportions bring abundant natural light indoors. Fitted with modern double or triple glazing, seals and performance glass, they achieve high levels of energy efficiency and acoustic insulation.
Restoring and carefully replacing sash windows is crucial for the nation’s historic properties. Original windows can frequently be repaired, draught-proofed and enhanced with slim double glazing without sacrificing character. New timber or high-quality replica windows help owners preserve architectural integrity within conservation areas.
Having progressed from aristocratic innovation to everyday feature and returned as a prized heritage element, sash windows retain their significance. Their combination of practicality, elegance and historical resonance ensures they continue to define British homes. Whether restoring a Georgian terrace, replacing windows in a Victorian villa or specifying new installations for a modern development, the sliding sash remains a versatile and enduring choice that links past craftsmanship with present-day living standards.
Two principal mechanical types exist today. Classic box sash windows hide substantial counterweights within hollow timber cases, providing genuine movement and looks. Modern spring-balanced versions employ concealed spiral springs that permit thinner frames and easier installation. Double-hung units allowing independent movement of both sashes, together with single-hung alternatives, continue to be produced.
Sash windows constitute one of the most familiar and admired components of British architectural heritage. Vertically sliding windows of this type have influenced the appearance of streets and residences across the country for well over three centuries. Their elegant proportions, practical ventilation and timeless character continue to make them the preferred choice for period properties and many new builds alike.
The history of the sash window begins in the late 1600s. Opinion remains divided on whether the idea first emerged in England, the Low Countries or France, but Britain rapidly adopted and perfected it. Surviving early instances can be found at places such as Ham House in Surrey from the 1670s. Sir Christopher Wren and his master joiner played an important role in refining and popularising the counterbalanced sliding mechanism.
In the Georgian years spanning 1714 to 1837, sash windows attained their defining expression. Tall narrow openings with six-over-six glazing became emblematic of stylish urban houses in major centres including London, Bath and Edinburgh. Glassmaking technology limited the size of individual panes, so numerous slender glazing bars were required. Building regulations following the Great Fire encouraged recessed frames, producing the deep reveals that characterise the style to this day.
Between 1837 and 1901 the Victorian age transformed sash design. Better glass technology permitted larger individual panes and consequently simpler two-over-two or single-pane arrangements. Reinforcing horns were added to the meeting rails. Bay windows increased in frequency, and abolition of the window tax enabled sash windows to appear on dwellings of every class.
Edwardian examples from around 1901 to 1914 typically merged elements from earlier periods. One typical pattern placed six smaller panes above two larger ones. Overall proportions were often broader and visually lighter than those of the Victorian years.
Period identity is still conveyed through pane layout. Georgian windows typically display six-over-six or eight-over-eight patterns with fine glazing bars. Victorian examples lean towards two-over-two layouts admitting greater light. Edwardian designs often unite multi-pane upper sashes with unrestricted lower panes.
