Susan Jefferson

Consider a historic building and no doubt sash windows will spring to mind as a feature, but what is the history of sash windows? The popularity of sash windows spanned hundreds of years such was the success of the design. So comprehensive was the use of sash windows that, although slight changes were made at times, they appear in properties dating back to the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian times. Offering an excellent ventilation system and remarkable durability, updates to sash windows were largely a result of developments in glass manufacturing, rather than the window system itself. Who invented sash windows? The exact introduction of sash windows to the UK is not entirely clear – some credit the architect Robert Hooke with the invention owing to his work on resurrecting the capital city following the Great Fire of London in 1666. However, other evidence suggests the idea originated in Holland. What does seem to be agreed upon is that sash windows were based on Yorkshire light ...

Consider a historic building and no doubt sash windows will spring to mind as a feature, but what is the history of sash windows? The popularity of sash windows spanned hundreds of years such was the success of the design. So comprehensive was the use of sash windows that, although slight changes were made at times, they appear in properties dating back to the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian times. Offering an excellent ventilation system and remarkable durability, updates to sash windows were largely a result of developments in glass manufacturing, rather than the window system itself. Who invented sash windows? The exact introduction of sash windows to the UK is not entirely clear – some credit the architect Robert Hooke with the invention owing to his work on resurrecting the capital city following the Great Fire of London in 1666. However, other evidence suggests the idea originated in Holland. What does seem to be agreed upon is that sash windows were based on Yorkshire l...

Major alterations to a home generally need building consent but when it comes to renovating a period property the legalities can be more complicated. If a period property is in a conservation area, an area of outstanding natural beauty or is listed the restrictions about what can be done to renovate it are increased. Many alterations to more modern homes do require building regulations approval, but these can often be met by using a trader from the Competent Persons Register who can self-certify that major electrical work or window installations, for example, meet the criteria. It would only usually be in the event of making major alterations such as adding an extension where planning permission would be needed. When renovating a period property, however, the need to secure planning permission is applied much more widely as local authorities work to preserve the character of certain areas and buildings. Planning permission for period properties Your first responsibility in buyi...