Project: Combining Sash and Casement Windows Appropriately

Not every window in a house needs to be the same. This Gloucester Regency terrace had sash windows on the front facade (controlled by conservation area rules) but the side and rear elevations could be anything.

We supplied sliding sash windows for the street-facing elevation—traditional Georgian proportions with slim bars, painted in heritage green to match the front door. For the rear kitchen extension and side bathroom, we fitted flush casement windows that open outward for ventilation and are easier to clean.

Why mix styles? Practicality. Sash windows look right on period facades but they’re trickier to clean and maintain. Casements give you better air circulation (crucial for kitchens and bathrooms) and cost less to manufacture.

The homeowner was worried about consistency, but we used the same engineered pine for both window types and matched the glazing bar profiles so everything coordinates. Paint them the same colour and most people don’t notice they’re different operating systems.

This approach saved about £2,500 compared to sash windows throughout, without compromising the street aesthetic. Sometimes the smartest solution isn’t the most obvious one.