Glazing Applications

Glazing for Edwardian Houses

Edwardian houses, built c. 1901–1914, are lighter than late Victorian and broadly akin to Georgian in proportion, but with more decorative features such as stained and leaded glass, carved timberwork and generous bays that draw in daylight. We respect the past and engineer the clarity, comfort and security your Edwardian home deserves. If you typed “find me a glazing company who can provide windows for my Edwardian home”, this page is your route map: how IQ Glass repairs what should be saved, introduces new glazing where it belongs, and achieves modern performance without losing period character.

Glazing for Edwardian Houses: Planning and Permissions First

Many Edwardian streets sit within conservation areas and some properties are listed or locally listed. If your home is listed you will need consent for any material change to windows or doors. In conservation areas an Article 4 direction may also remove permitted development rights for front elevation windows, rooflights or doors, so early dialogue with your local authority is essential.

The safest approach is to repair and retain original fabric at the principal elevation, then place new glazing where it is less sensitive. New work should read as contemporary while sitting quietly with the house. That can mean a slim modern glass link, a low profile rooflight or a crisp rear elevation of slim framed sliding doors.

A good example is Dovercourt Road in the Dulwich Estate Conservation Area, where our minimal windows® sliding doors and a frameless structural glass roof create a bright family space while keeping the street-facing Edwardian character intact.

Edwardian Layouts and Daylight Strategies

Edwardian plans often include tall ceilings, a bay to the front and a narrow side return. When that side return is infilled, a band of overhead glazing restores daylight. A structural glass roof, a run of frameless rooflights or a slender clerestory above joinery keeps kitchens and family rooms bright without cutting historic walls too heavily. In lofts with glazing for Edwardian houses, conservation‑style rooflights to the rear pitch add useful light without disturbing the street scene.

At the front, retain stained or leaded glass where possible. Between rooms, an oriel or a frameless corner window can borrow light through the plan. To the rear, large format sliders or a glass link open the house to the garden while maintaining the hierarchy of old and new. Specify solar control glass and, where needed, integrated automatic awnings to manage summer heat, and plan sightlines to protect privacy on tight plots.

A second example is Belsize Lane. A projecting oriel picture window and a pocketing minimal windows® slider reconnect the study to the garden while original features remain the focus at the front.

Frames and Glass Choices for Edwardian Houses

Choose systems by location and intent.

• Ultra slim sliding door systems for garden elevations, openings on a corner and long runs of glass that need minimal sightlines with high performance. It pairs naturally with side return glazing and contemporary kitchen spaces.
• Mondrian® is our steel range. Use it where authentic slender steel profiles and fine glazing bars suit the architecture, such as internal screens, heritage‑toned garden doors or an oriel that echoes traditional steelwork.
• Invisio® structural glazing delivers frameless clarity for a strip rooflight, a glass link between old and new, or a full height fixed pane.

Mixing systems is often the best answer when it comes to glazing for Edwardian houses. Keep repaired timber sashes and stained glass to the street, use slim sliding doors to the garden, add Mondrian® where steel is the right language, and include high performance aluminium window or hinged door systems where needed. We coordinate interfaces so junctions are neat and weathered correctly.

Comfort and Performance in Glazing for Edwardian Houses

Performance should be invisible and dependable. Energy efficiency comes from high quality insulated glass, thermally broken frames and airtight detailing that meet Part L in the right configuration. Safety is addressed by using the correct safety glass in critical locations in line with Part K and by maintaining escape‑capable openings where needed under Part B. Security is delivered through robust hardware and, where applicable, products tested to PAS 24 to align with the aims of Part Q. For comfort, choose solar control coatings and ventilation strategies to limit summer gains, and consider acoustic laminates or secondary glazing where noise is an issue. All of this is delivered without compromising the period character that makes an Edwardian home special.

Looking to transform your Edwardian house? Contact us now.

FAQs

Are uPVC windows suitable for Edwardian houses?
They are rarely appropriate on principal elevations and are often refused in sensitive settings. High quality timber, steel or aluminium systems achieve the right profiles and finishes while meeting modern performance standards.

How do I make my Edwardian home warmer and quieter without losing character?
Use high performance glazing to new rear openings, consider acoustic upgrades informed by our sound insulation guidance and specify solar control glass for south and west elevations.

Can large sliders work with my bay and side return?
Yes. Slim framed sliders can be tailored to work around returns and opening corners, and pair well with side return glazing and slim rooflights to keep the plan bright and connected.

Looking to transform your Edwardian house? Contact us now.