A sympathetic restoration of the original sash windows was carefully carried out at this Grade II listed property in Islington, with a strong focus on preserving the building’s historic character while significantly improving performance. Given the listed status of the property, all work was undertaken with close attention to traditional methods, original detailing, and conservation best practice, ensuring the windows retained their authentic appearance both internally and externally.
The existing sash windows were structurally sound but suffered from common age-related issues, including air leakage, rattling, and poor thermal efficiency. Rather than replacing the windows, which would have compromised the heritage value of the building, we restored the original timber sashes, addressing worn components, easing movement, and ensuring correct alignment within the frames.
To discreetly improve comfort and energy efficiency, we installed our specialist draught-proofing system. This system is designed specifically for traditional sash windows and is virtually invisible once fitted. It dramatically reduces cold draughts, external noise, and heat loss, bringing the windows closer to modern performance standards without altering their historic fabric or appearance.
The result is a set of beautifully restored sash windows that remain true to the building’s period character while offering noticeably improved warmth, smooth operation, and day-to-day comfort. This project demonstrates how careful restoration, combined with modern upgrading techniques, can extend the life of original sash windows for decades to come, even within the strict requirements of a Grade II listed property.
