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Expert advice and guidance for your Sash & Case windows.

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Practical notes from the workshop

These guides are short on purpose. They cover the questions Edinburgh homeowners ask before a survey: how to keep original sashes working, when slim double glazing is honest, how hidden draught proofing differs from plastic kits, and when listed-building consent is actually required. Each card links to the full service page.

If your windows are listed or in a conservation area, start with planning and listed-building notes, then repair or replacement. If rooms are cold but the timber looks sound, start with draught proofing. Replacement is for fabric that has failed, not for a cosmetic refresh.

Guide to Sash Window Maintenance

Essential tips for keeping your sash windows in top condition, from regular cleaning to seasonal checks.

Paint, putty and cords fail in a predictable order in Edinburgh weather. A yearly check of meeting rails, cills and cords catches rot before it takes the bottom rail. Our repair and Repair Care pages explain when a splice is enough and when a sash should come back to the workshop.

Understanding Window Glazing Options

A comprehensive guide to single and double glazing, helping you choose the right option.

Original single glass keeps the thinnest sightline. Slim double glazing in a new or restored sash cuts heat loss while still reading as a period window from the street. Thick modern units with chunky spacers are what conservation officers reject. Replacement windows from our workshop are specified for A+ performance without that bulk.

Draught Proofing Your Sash Windows

How modern draught proofing can transform the comfort of your home without altering the appearance of your windows.

Most 'cold sash' complaints are air leaks, not the glass. Hidden brush seals in timber beads restore the close fit the window had when new. That is usually cheaper than replacement and is treated as repair on listed buildings. Read the draught proofing page for what a one-day overhaul includes.

Planning Permission for Windows

What you need to know about planning permission and listed building consent when replacing windows in Edinburgh.

Conservation areas protect the outside face. Listed buildings add consent for many alterations. Like-for-like timber repair is usually maintenance. uPVC and top-hung copies are not. Our listed building notes and non-compliant windows page cover surveys, drawings and enforcement letters.