@theofarmmanager267

1 year ago

Short and sharp. I’d probably debate about whether old windows are better than new windows in all cases. I think you have to take into account the style and age of the building. The original windows art top left suit a building from (in the UK) Georgian through to Edwardian; however, they would look out of place in pre-Georgian. A quality house over here built in the 1930’s would have metal Crittall windows. They look absolutely in character for an Art Deco period House - those Georgian windows would be a travesty in an Art Deco house. Those windows in the ground floor add-on are of a style which is very common in houses built for everyone expect the Lord of the Manor upwards (or downwards if you follow William Morris). You see that style of heavy muntons a lot around here in farmhouses dated back to Tudor times. So, they look fine (to me) in a house of that period but would look awful in a Georgian house for instance. There is a fairly modern farmhouse about 600 metres from where I’m sitting that was built, I would guess, in the 1960’s. It had the style of windows that were common them - but they, and the whole house, “offended” my eye. Anyway, Ken sadly died and the house was bought by a young couple. I don’t know who designed the makeover for them but it has been superbly done. With reshaping of the windows and doors, it looks less of a certain period and just genuine. The masterstroke, however, was that in the fairly large extension that was built, they have not sought to replicate the main house but rather introduce a different style. The windows are black metal -Crittall style. The result is that you know it is a later build and that it is not trying to imitate the main house but sits proudly as a 21st century piece of architecture. Bottom line for me is, when planning alterations or replacements, do a lot of research; read books; look at the internet; go driving to see what others have done - and what works and what doesn’t. Then make an intelligent decision.

3 |