Window RestorationPeriod WindowsBrought Back to Life
Sash, casement and timber-frame windows repaired, draught-proofed and refurbished — keeping the original character of your home while making it warm, quiet and weather-tight.
Professional window restoration that holds its finish for decades, not seasons.
What it is
Window restoration is the careful repair, refurbishment and draught-proofing of original timber windows — splicing in new timber where rot has set in, replacing failed beads and putty, re-cording sashes, and fitting modern brush seals invisibly into the existing frames.
Who it is for
Owners of period properties across Sudbury, Long Melford, Glemsford, Clare and Suffolk/Essex — Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and inter-war homes — who want to keep original windows for character, planning or budget reasons rather than replace with uPVC.
When you need it
When sashes have stopped sliding, when paint is flaking and timber is exposed, when draughts and noise have become unbearable, or when a Listed Building Consent application has refused replacement and required restoration instead.
Why professional help matters
Original timber windows, properly restored, last another 80 years. uPVC replacements last 25–30 and remove the character that often gives a period home its value. Restoration is almost always cheaper over the property's lifetime.
What happens when window restoration is rushed, under-specified or done by the wrong trade.
The default advice — 'just rip them out and put plastic in' — is the worst thing you can do to a period property, both architecturally and often financially.
Risks if ignored or done badly
- Listed Building enforcement requiring removal of unauthorised replacement windows at your own cost.
- Significant loss of property value when the original character of a period home is stripped out.
- Worsening damp from sealed-up uPVC replacements with no trickle vents on solid-wall properties.
- Sashes locking up permanently because painted shut and never re-corded.
- Putty failure leading to glass falling out and water damage to the surrounding frame.
Common mistakes we fix
- Painting sashes shut instead of stripping the runners and re-cording.
- Filling rotten cills with body filler instead of splicing in new timber.
- Accepting 'all windows must be replaced' from a salesman without a real survey.
- Choosing uPVC in a Conservation Area without checking the Article 4 direction.
A clear, predictable five-step process from first call to sign-off.
Free Site Visit
We come to your property at a time that suits you, listen carefully to what you want, take measurements and photos, and explain realistic options for your restoration.
Written, Itemised Quote
You receive a clear written quote within a few days — fixed price, itemised by stage, with no vague allowances or hidden extras.
Scheduling & Preparation
Once approved, we book a firm start date, order materials, and protect floors, furniture and access routes before any work begins.
Skilled Execution
David personally leads each project. The site is kept tidy daily, you receive regular progress updates, and any decisions are walked through with you in person.
Sign-Off & Guarantee
We snag the job ourselves before you ever see it. You only sign off when you are completely satisfied — backed by our written workmanship guarantee.
What you get when window restoration is done properly.
Built to Last
Materials and methods chosen for long-term performance, not the cheapest spec. Most jobs outlast the original build.
One Trusted Trade
David runs the project from first visit to final sign-off. No subcontractor merry-go-round, no finger-pointing.
Predictable Pricing
Fixed written quotes mean you know the full cost before tools come out. No drip-fed extras.
Tidy, Respectful Site
Floors covered, dust controlled, waste removed daily. Your home stays liveable while we work.
Local Aftercare
Based in Sudbury — five minutes away if anything ever needs revisiting. Workmanship guarantee in writing.
Honest Advice
If a cheaper or simpler option is right for you, we say so. We turn down work we can't do brilliantly.
How we approach window restoration — materials, methods and the work behind the finish.
Window restoration is part joinery, part decoration and part patient detective work. Three decades of working on Suffolk period homes has shaped our approach.
Materials we use
- Air-dried oak, Accoya and FSC softwood for splice repairs and full sill replacements.
- Linseed oil putty for traditional bedding and weatherproofing.
- Brush and bubble draught seals from specialists like Reddiseals and Mighton.
- Waxed cotton sash cord and lead or iron weights, replaced like-for-like.
- Breathable microporous paints suitable for solid-wall and listed properties.
Methods we follow
- Splice repairs to localised rot — cutting out only the affected timber and scarfing in new.
- Sash overhaul: removal of beads and parting bead, full sliding-runner clean, re-cording with new sash cord.
- Routed-in brush seals in the staff and parting beads for invisible draught control.
- Putty stripping and renewal where glass has been disturbed, re-bedded with linseed putty.
- Repainting in correct heritage colours with proper undercoat and minimum two top coats.
Variations of window restoration we cover
Sliding sash overhaul
Strip, ease, re-cord, re-bead and draught-proof — the most common single-window job we do.
Casement window repair
Splice repairs, hinge replacement, ironmongery refurbishment and full repaint.
Splice and sill replacement
Cutting out rotten sections of cill, stile or rail and scarfing in new matching timber.
Secondary glazing
Installing slim, removable secondary glazed units behind original windows for warmth and noise reduction without altering the original.
Putty and glass renewal
Re-bedding loose glass and replacing failed putty around the entire pane.
Whole-house restoration packages
Phased programmes to refurbish every window in a property over a single season.
Situations we work in
- Listed and Conservation Area properties where replacement is restricted.
- Period homes where original character is being preserved.
- Houses with sashes painted shut and inoperable.
- Properties with high levels of road noise where secondary glazing is required.
- Pre-sale refurbishments where original windows add demonstrable market value.
Residential & commercial
Restoration alongside secondary glazing typically achieves U-values comparable to modern double glazing while keeping every original feature in place — and is fully acceptable to Listed Building and Conservation officers.
Recent window restoration projects across Suffolk & Essex
A selection of recent window restoration work — every job signed off by the homeowner.
Window Restoration questions, answered straight.
Don't see your question? Call David direct on 07521 287114.
Is window restoration cheaper than replacement?+
On a per-window basis, restoration is typically 30–50% cheaper than like-for-like timber replacement and gives the same lifespan. Compared to uPVC it is more expensive up front but lasts 2–3 times longer.
How much does it cost to restore a sash window?+
A full sash overhaul (strip, ease, re-cord, draught-proof, repaint) is typically £600–£1,100 per window. Splice repairs and full cill replacements are quoted on inspection.
Will draught-proofing my old windows stop the cold?+
Yes — modern brush seals routed invisibly into the staff and parting beads typically reduce draughts by 80–90% and cut noise noticeably. Combined with secondary glazing, performance approaches modern double-glazing.
Can you repair rotten window frames or do they need replacing?+
In most cases we can splice in new timber to repair localised rot, even on quite advanced damage. Full replacement is only needed when more than half the frame is gone — and then we make like-for-like in matching timber.
Do I need permission to restore my windows?+
Restoration in original timber and detail is always preferred by Listed Building and Conservation officers and rarely needs consent. Replacement (even like-for-like) usually does.
How long do restored windows last?+
A properly restored window with new putty, draught seals and paint typically gives 30–40 years of service before the next major maintenance — compared to 25–30 years for a new uPVC unit.
Can you fit secondary glazing?+
Yes — slim, removable secondary glazed units fitted behind original windows. Excellent for noise reduction on roads, and for warmth where Listed status prevents double glazing.
Will you repaint after restoration?+
Yes — full preparation, undercoat and minimum two top coats in your chosen colour. Heritage and breathable paints used on period and listed properties.
Related services
Areas we cover
Book your free site visitand written quote.
David visits in person, takes proper measurements, and follows up with a clear, itemised written quote. No sales pressure. No obligation.