Timber Windows Kent

Kent packs more architectural variety into one county than most of southern England combined. The medieval streets of Canterbury. The Georgian terraces of Rochester. The tile-hung cottages of the Weald. The seaside Victoriana of Margate and Broadstairs. And those oast houses — hundreds of converted hop kilns with their distinctive conical roofs and round windows that present unique glazing challenges.

Our windows are built to order for Kent properties — engineered pine, meranti, or oak. Three-coat factory finish. Delivered anywhere in the county. Installation is arranged locally by you.

Kent divides roughly into two landscapes, each with distinct window requirements.

The Weald (inland) — low-lying, sheltered, historically agricultural. Timber-framed and tile-hung cottages are common. Window openings are often small and irregular, with deep reveals in thick walls. the history of casement windows windows predominate — the originals were often side-hung with wrought-iron furniture. For replacement, flush casement timber windows match the original proportions while providing modern thermal performance and security.
The North Downs and coast — more exposed, with chalk-and-flint properties in the Downs villages and Victorian/Edwardian seaside architecture along the coast. Coastal properties face salt-air exposure (similar to West Sussex coastal conditions). North Downs properties sit at elevation with greater wind exposure. Both benefit from durable finish systems and, for coastal locations, stainless steel or brass hardware.

Canterbury

Canterbury’s city centre conservation area extends far beyond the Cathedral precinct — it covers much of the medieval street pattern. Canterbury City Council manages one of the strictest heritage planning regimes in Kent. Timber is effectively mandatory for replacement windows in the conservation zone. Georgian and medieval properties dominate the historic core.

Royal Tunbridge Wells

Elegant Regency and early Victorian architecture. The Pantiles and surrounding streets have conservation area coverage under Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Sash windows with slim glazing bars suit the period stock.

Sevenoaks and the Commuter Towns

Large Edwardian and inter-war detached properties. Sevenoaks District Council has conservation areas in the town centre and surrounding villages (Shoreham, Otford, Eynsford). The North Downs AONB adds planning sensitivity.

The Weald Villages

Tenterden, Cranbrook, Goudhurst — medieval and Tudor market towns where timber-framed buildings are the norm. Window openings are small and non-standard. Made-to-measure is essential — these windows don’t come in standard sizes.

Converted oast houses present genuinely unusual window challenges. The round kilns have curved walls — which means either custom curved frames or standard rectangular frames set into curved reveals with specialist packing. The cowls (the rotating vent on top) are sometimes converted into glazed features requiring non-standard shapes.

If you’re glazing an oast house conversion, we need detailed drawings or templates rather than standard measurements. Get your architect or builder to provide: wall curvature radius, reveal depth at multiple points around the curve, and the exact opening dimensions at the frame plane. We’ll manufacture to those specifics.

Sash — for Canterbury, Tunbridge Wells, and seaside Victorian properties. From ££449+VAT+VAT.
Casement — for Weald cottages, oast conversions, and modern properties. Double glazing standard.
Georgian — for Canterbury’s Cathedral precinct and Tunbridge Wells Pantiles area.

All BS 644. Part L compliant. Meranti and oak available.

Assuming all Kent is countryside. The Medway towns (Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham) are urban with Victorian and Edwardian housing stock similar to London boroughs. Don’t spec rural cottage windows for a Rochester terrace.
Using stain on coastal elevations. Coastal Kent (Whitstable, Herne Bay, Broadstairs) gets salt-air exposure. Stain offers half the protection of microporous paint on a sea-facing wall.
Ignoring oast house window requirements. Standard rectangular windows in a round wall need specialist measurement and installation. Budget extra time and cost for curved-wall work.
Not checking Canterbury’s strict cathedral zone. Canterbury’s conservation controls near the Cathedral can involve Heritage England as well as the city council. Check jurisdiction early.

Multiple councils: Canterbury CC, Maidstone BC, Tunbridge Wells BC, Sevenoaks DC, Tonbridge & Malling BC, and more. Check your specific district council.

Adjacent: East Sussex. London borders: some Kent postcodes overlap with Bromley/Bexley. Q&A. Glossary. Listed buildings.

Can you make windows for converted oast houses?

Yes — we manufacture to detailed drawings or templates for curved-wall openings. Provide wall curvature radius, reveal depths, and exact opening dimensions. Contact us for a bespoke quote.

Does Canterbury’s conservation area require timber windows?

In the city centre conservation area, timber matching originals is effectively mandatory. Canterbury’s heritage controls are among Kent’s strictest, particularly near the Cathedral.

What windows suit Weald timber-framed cottages?

Flush casement windows — they match the original casement proportions of Weald cottages. Made-to-measure is essential as these properties rarely have standard-sized openings.

Is stain suitable for coastal Kent properties?

Not for sea-facing elevations. Microporous paint provides significantly better salt-air protection. Stain works on sheltered, inland positions only.

What do replacement timber windows cost for a typical Weald cottage?

A typical Weald cottage with 6-10 casement windows costs £3,000-£6,000+VAT in engineered pine with double glazing.