Timber Windows Gloucestershire

dedicated Gloucester pageshire splits into three distinct environments that each need a different window approach. The Cotswolds in the east — stone cottages, strict conservation, heritage colours. Cheltenham — Regency architecture with its own very specific proportions. And the Forest of Dean in the west — a completely different landscape, wetter, more exposed, with building traditions quite unlike the rest of the county.

We supply made-to-measure timber windows across Gloucestershire. Engineered pine, our meranti timber guide, or oak. Factory-finished. Delivered. Supply-only.

For Gloucester city specifically, see our dedicated Gloucester page.

The Forest of Dean sits in the western corner of Gloucestershire between the Severn and the Wye. It’s significantly wetter than the Cotswolds — average annual rainfall is 900-1000mm compared to 700-800mm in the eastern part of the county. Properties here face more moisture exposure, which means the finish system and timber species matter more.

For Forest of Dean properties, we’d suggest meranti over pine if budget allows — the natural oil content provides an extra moisture barrier. Microporous paint (standard on all our windows) is particularly important here: conventional gloss traps moisture and fails fast in high-rainfall environments.

The Cotswolds (Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, Cirencester) have the conservation strictness and stone colour considerations covered on our Oxfordshire page — the same Cotswold rules apply on the Gloucestershire side.

Cheltenham’s Regency architecture is distinct from both the Cotswold vernacular and the Georgian architecture of neighbouring cities. The Promenade, Montpellier, Suffolk Square, and the surrounding streets contain some of England’s finest Regency townhouses — tall, elegant, stucco-fronted, with large sash windows and decorative ironwork balconies.

Cheltenham Regency windows share characteristics with Brighton Regency (see our East Sussex page): tall proportions, six-over-six glazing patterns, slim bars (15-18mm), meeting rails at one-third height. But Cheltenham’s colour palette is different — the stucco here is often painted in Regency cream or stone tones rather than pure white.

Cheltenham Borough Council manages the conservation areas and is attentive to period accuracy. The Cheltenham Civic Society is also active — which means public scrutiny as well as planning scrutiny.

Stroud and the Five Valleys — steep-sided valleys with mill buildings and weavers’ cottages. Distinctive local stone (darker than Cotswold limestone). Stroud District Council.
Tewkesbury — medieval market town with one of England’s finest Norman abbey churches. The town centre conservation area has strict controls. Tewkesbury Borough Council.
Cirencester — the “Capital of the Cotswolds.” Roman and Georgian heritage. Cotswold District Council.

Sash — for Cheltenham Regency and market town properties. From ££449+VAT+VAT. Double glazing standard.
Casement — for Forest of Dean cottages and rural properties.
Georgian — for Cheltenham, Cirencester, and Tewkesbury period architecture.

All BS 644. Part L compliant. Oak for Cotswold natural finish.

Same spec for Forest of Dean and sheltered Cotswold valley. The Forest gets 20-30% more rainfall. Specify accordingly — meranti over pine, check finish condition annually.
Ignoring Cheltenham’s strict Regency requirements. Cheltenham’s conservation team and civic society are very active. Get the proportions right — slim bars, correct meeting rail position, period-appropriate colour.
Using Gloucester city specs for rural properties. A Victorian terrace in Gloucester’s Kingsholm needs different windows from a Cotswold stone cottage in Bourton. Don’t transfer specs between city and county.
Wrong stone colour match. Cotswold stone varies — northern Cotswolds (honey) vs Stroud valleys (darker grey-gold). Match YOUR stone, not the generic “Cotswold” colour.

Adjacent: Oxfordshire, Wiltshire. Q&A. Glossary. Listed buildings.

Is meranti better than pine for Forest of Dean properties?

For exposed positions in the Forest (900-1000mm annual rainfall), meranti’s natural oil content provides extra moisture resistance. For sheltered Cotswold positions, engineered pine performs well.

What windows suit Cheltenham Regency architecture?

Six-over-six timber sash with 15-18mm glazing bars, tall proportions, meeting rail at one-third height. Cream or stone stucco tones rather than pure white.

Which council covers Cotswold conservation in Gloucestershire?

Cotswold District Council for Cirencester, Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow, Bourton. Cheltenham Borough for Cheltenham. Stroud District for Stroud valleys.

How much do timber windows cost for a Cheltenham Regency townhouse?

A typical Regency property with 8-14 sash windows: £5,500-£12,000+VAT. The tall proportions and multi-pane bar requirements push costs higher than standard Victorian sash.

What’s the difference between your Gloucestershire and Gloucester pages?

Gloucestershire covers the county — Cheltenham, Cotswolds, Stroud, Tewkesbury, Forest of Dean. Gloucester covers the city only — Docks, Cathedral Quarter, Kingsholm. Different character, different window requirements.