Sash & Case Windows in Tollcross

Tollcross sits at a busy crossroads at the western end of Edinburgh's Southside, where Lothian Road meets Home Street, Brougham Street and Leven Street. It's a mixed-use neighbourhood combining residential tenements with the King's Theatre, the Cameo cinema, a vibrant nightlife scene and a wide variety of restaurants and bars. The residential streets — particularly Brougham Place, Lonsdale Terrace, Glengyle Terrace and Valleyfield Street — are lined with substantial Victorian tenements whose tall sash and case windows are a defining feature of the streetscape.

Tollcross occupies a transitional position between the grandeur of Bruntsfield and the commercial bustle of the city centre, and its window stock reflects this. Some tenements are of a high architectural standard with ornate detailing, while others are more utilitarian in character. What they share is the common Victorian construction method: timber sash and case windows counterbalanced by cast-iron or lead weights on cotton or hemp cords. After 120-140 years, these original mechanisms invariably need attention, and our overhaul service restores them to smooth, reliable operation.

Noise is a particular concern for residents in Tollcross, given the area's busy roads and active nightlife. We install secondary glazing that creates an effective sound barrier between the existing sash window and the room interior, reducing noise intrusion by up to 70%. This is a popular upgrade for flats overlooking Home Street, Lothian Road and the Tollcross junction. The secondary panels are slimline and unobtrusive, with options for both fixed and openable configurations to maintain ventilation when desired.