Replacement Doors and Windows - Policy Guidelines

8. Replacement Doors and Windows

There is a wonderful diversity of periods and styles of residential buildings on the Dulwich Estate. Doors and windows are important aspects of the character of the properties.

It is the policy of the Managers to discourage the unnecessary replacement of original doors and windows and to ensure that, where replacement is necessary, the new doors and windows are an accurate copy of the original, including the materials used

The replacement of doors and windows, unless exact replicas of the original both in terms of design and materials , is subject to approval under the Scheme of Management even though this may not require planning permission:

The Scheme of Management requires that no material alteration is to be made to the external appearance of any building or structure on an enfranchised property without the prior written approval of the Managers.

The Managers of the Scheme are the Incorporated Trustees of The Dulwich Estate and written approval for alterations is provided to applicants by way of a Licence.

Each application for changes to windows, doors and garage doors will be considered on its merit and in the context of the Managers’ policy for that particular type of property. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposals in advance by contacting the Scheme of Management Administrator.

Doors

As stated above, the Managers encourage the retention of original doors and where it is necessary to replace these, care should be taken to replicate both the design and materials.

The design of replacement garage doors should be appropriate to the design and period of the house. Where a standard door (including the garage door) is an original feature of a group of houses, replacement doors should match the original design. Where the colour of the doors was previously specified in the lease, it continues to be a requirement of the Managers that the door is painted the appropriate colour. Original hardwood garage doors should be retained where possible.

Windows

Timber is the traditional material for the manufacture of doors and window frames. The Georgian, Victorian and early Twentieth Century houses all have timber doors and windows. Small panes of glass are supported by timber glazing bars. Leaded lights are also a traditional feature. If it is necessary to repair or replace timber windows, this can be done without changing the appearance of the original design. In most cases, double glazed timber windows can be made that faithfully reproduce the original design. It is not possible to reproduce the appearance of leaded light windows with double glazing and secondary glazing should be used to improve thermal and acoustic performance.

Steel windows have been used in Dulwich since the 1930s. The early steel windows copied the appearance of traditional cast iron and incorporated glazing bars (this is the design used in Roseway). From the 1950s, steel windows were installed in some of the Wates built homes. Certain manufacturers supply double glazed steel windows although it is not possible to replicate the glazing bars.

Aluminium and UPVC replacement windows have been extensively marketed over the past 20 years. These windows are not normally acceptable to the Managers as replacements for traditional timber windows in properties built before the 1960s which incorporate glazing bars or leaded lights.

The practice of including a plastic grid between two panes of double glazing to imitate a glazing bar has an unacceptable effect on the appearance of a property. Traditional leaded lights have a sparkle due to the slight irregularity of the individual panes. This is lost in modern substitutes where thin strips of lead are stuck to the surface of a single sheet of glass.

To assist householders to make an informed decision on the repair, overhaul or replacement of old windows, guidance is available in the form of free publications from English Heritage (23 Saville Row, London, W1S 2ET, telephone: 020 7973 3000, www.english-heritage.org.uk ).

Where replacement windows in aluminium or UPVC (generally in houses since the 1950s) may be approved, these should match the originals in the way they are sub-divided into opening and fixed lights. The frame material, overall style, pane sub-division, mullion and transom widths and glazing rebate should be repeated. The piecemeal replacement of windows is discouraged.

Windows for extensions should also normally match the design of the existing windows.

Where previous, unlicensed replacement of windows or doors has been carried out, as a condition of approval for a subsequent application for works, the Managers may require these to be modified or replaced.

Please also refer to the General Guidance Notes For Freeholders Of Property Subject To The Scheme of Management Making Application For Building Or Tree Works.

March 2004

Documents

Replacement Doors and Windows Guidance Notes (PDF 275kb)