Listed Building Guide

Double glazing in listed buildings?

When a property is listed it does not mean work cannot be done on it but that works need to be approved by your local authority. It is generally accepted the first principle of preserving a building is to make it useable and functional. Additionally, in recent years there has been an increasing awareness of the need to improve the thermal efficiency of buildings and help to reduce climate change, where this can be done unobtrusively and without detriment. This has been a real challenge for many owners of historic, listed buildings and conservation areas.

Windows are vital to any buildings appearance and beauty giving information about the building’s origins and historical development. Windows in listed buildings and conservation areas are of real importance and should be protected as a vital part of a building’s history and character. If it is not possible to keep the original, a replacement should be virtually indistinguishable from the original. If not designed correctly with an understanding of how historic buildings function, the replacement of historic windows with modern versions can often have a damaging effect on the character and appearance of the building, as well as damaging the fabric and function of the building causing irreparable damage.

It is therefore imperative that advice and guidance is taken when making such an important decision. A good architect or surveyor who specialise in historic and listed buildings are valuable when undertaking any conservation research.

Learn about Touchstone windows

The listed building consent process

Before any glazing work starts, consent from your local council will need to be obtained in order to move forward. Sometimes a lengthy process, you will need to submit all your proposed plans and the reasons for each one. We at Touchstone understand that this can be a daunting process and as part of our service we endeavour to assist you every step of the way. You can start the application by applying using your local government council website.

It is important to obtain expert advice when considering alterations and repairs to Listed Buildings. Surveyors can provide advice on the structural condition of the buildings fabric, and works required for its maintenance and repair.

Listed Building Consent Timescale

Local authorities aim to make a decision on planning and listed building consent on all applications within eight weeks which includes a statutory 21 day consultation period so that neighbours and other interested parties can comment on the proposal.

Historic England are consulted on applications involving Grade I or II* listed buildings. A pre-application enquiry can help speed things along by identifying any potential issues early in the planning process. No work on a building of any listing Grade should begin until consent has been granted, and any pre-commencement conditions attached to the consent have been complied with.

Find out about VAT and listed buildings here.

Some of the listed buildings that we have double glazed

Our bespoke service

As a double glazing window manufacturer and installer we are more than happy to help you with the following:

Provide technical drawings of our double glazed windows in your listed building.
Provide samples of our double glazed units along with our range of handles and stays.
Speak and meet with conservation officers to explain how our windows work in historic buildings.
Modify our designs to compliment your listed building.
Construct and provide window reports.
Provide similar past case studies for your local council and conservation officer.
Assist with your application and help you through every stage of the process.

Please see some of the projects we have completed on listed buildings or for more information get in touch.

Our Solution

At Touchstone, the main focus has always been to protect the listed building and keep in line with its existing features. Therefore, our double glazed windows were designed to look almost identical to their predecessors ensuring they appear the same as the buildings original windows. Our greatest compliment is that you can’t tell the difference between the listed building’s original windows and our new double glazed ones.

To achieve that and an ‘A’ rating for thermal efficiency makes us immensely proud. Not only have our double glazed windows been accepted by Historic England and are in various listed buildings around the United Kingdom, they also achieve thermal efficiency and successfully compete with their modern counterparts.