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There are more than 10,000 conservation areas in England and 370,000 listed buildings. On top of that 21% of the UK’s housing stock was built before 1919 and 16% between 1919 and 1944. It means a sizeable slice of UK housing stock falls into the period home category, so what are the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ in period replacements and replacements in conservation areas?
“Period replacements are comparatively straight forward”, says Richard Hammond, Sales Director, Universal Trade Frames.
“As an industry we’ve come a long way. With the wide range of flush casements and far more sympathetic VS options, we can offer homeowners an opportunity to drive up the thermal performance of their homes while retaining traditional character.
“Conservation areas are a little more complex – but still accessible with the right products.”
What is a Conservation Area and how do you know if you’re working in one?
If the property is in a conservation area it should have been picked up by the customer’s solicitor at the point at which they purchased their home, so they should know. “Local knowledge, however, pays dividends”, Richard says, “if in any doubt, it’s worth contacting your local planning authority.”
Like Listed Building Status, Conservation Areas are there to safeguard the character of our built and natural environments. The major difference between the two is that Listed Buildings sit on a national register usually compiled on the advice of Historic England (formerly English Heritage).
Conservation Areas are designated under Article 4 of planning law by local planning authorities as ‘areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’.
“If you’re approached by a homeowner to work on the former there are stringent controls on any alteration made to a property”, Richard continues. “You need to go through planning approvals and it requires a high degree of specialism.
“Controls in Conservation Areas are administered locally and may vary slightly between different areas, although still place restrictions on significant changes to the appearance of properties, are far less onerous, although homeowners may have to go through a consultation process before works are undertaken.
“The only way you can be confident about benchmarking this is to speak to your local planning authority.”
What is the best window system for Conservation Areas?
Richard argues that with a little research, care and consideration, conservation areas represent a good hunting ground for installers – if you have access to the right products. He suggests the Residence Collection and R9 specifically, should be the go-to product.
“Residence 9 has been designed to replicate a 19th century timber window, paying incredible attention to detailing which gives it far more sway with conservation and planning officers”, he says.
“Approvals aren’t guaranteed but the precedent is established because R9 has been installed in Conservation Areas nationwide, so your client is less likely to get push back.”
According to the department for Energy Security and Net Zero around a quarter of all UK homes have solid walls. That’s around 8.5 million properties. The majority of these were built before 1920, with properties built pre-1920 making up around 20% of the UK’s current housing stock.
Achieving u-values of as low as 0.8w/m2K R9, in common with the wider Residence Collection, R9 delivers significant energy savings. “It’s not only about aesthetics, it’s a fantastic window and a key tool in improving the energy efficiency of older homes. That’s an increasingly important factor in driving a higher rate of Conservation Area approvals”, Richard says.
Residence Collection without glass bonding
Universal Trade Frames’ has carved out a position for itself as a specialist supplier of premium products.
This includes the complete Residence collection including R9 R7 R2 and the RD range manufactured as a non-glass bonded HeritageWeld product as standard.
HeritageWeld Residence Collection windows from Universal Trade Frames replicate the traditional 90° external and internal butt weld inside and out. It means it has a mechanical joint appearance, but under the surface, hidden away it’s fully welded.
Richard continues: ““It looks exactly the same as a mechanically jointed flush sash but with the important difference that as a fully welded window, you get the strength synonymous with fusion welding, totally eliminating the need for glass bonding.
“It delivers a major advantage to installers because it meansR9 windows from Universal can be fitted in exactly the same way as any other window, saving time and money on site and maximising margin.”
Part of a specialist premium offer
Operating from a 30,000 square foot state of the art manufacturing facility in Shrewsbury, Shropshire Universal Trade Frames combines cutting-edge fabrication with a world class 98% OTIF.
In addition to the Residence Collection its premium product ranges include Epwin Flush Casement; and Solidor composite doors; in addition to the Spectus Vertical Sliding Sash Window.
“It [the Spectus Vertical Sliding Sash Window] has an established reputation for faithfully replicating the appearance of traditional sash windows”, Richard says.
“We’ve taken that a step further by adding an ultra-slim meeting rail. At only 37mm it’s a 100 per cent reflective of the sightline on a traditional timber sash window.
“Alongside Residence Collection, it generates new and high margin opportunities, in the conservation space.”
For more information about Universal Trade Frames product and service offer please call 01743 442244, or email info@utfl.co.uk.
