When heritage meets home: restoring and replacing sash windows in a Grade II-listed Westbourne Terrace apartment
In the heart of Paddington’s Westbourne Terrace, a classic stucco-fronted, Grade II-listed apartment is home to Elaina, her husband, and their young daughter. They wanted to upgrade their windows and doors but faced a unique challenge: restoring the property’s original timber joinery at the front and replacing unsympathetic modern units at the rear with bespoke sash windows, whilst navigating the complexities of planning. Sashed was engaged to take on the challenge. The result is a refined balance of heritage preservation and precision-engineered improvement, all delivered with signature Sashed care.
Respecting heritage with care and precision
At the front of the home, three original 150-year-old French windows were in a state of disrepair. Hinges squeaked, sashes no longer opened or closed correctly, and rot had compromised much of the structure. It was a project that demanded skilled restoration and considered craftsmanship.
Over the course of nearly three weeks, our experienced team stripped the joinery back to bare timber, removing decades of paint, and carefully spliced in new timber to replace decayed sections. Original steel elements, including broken handles, were also restored in-house – a true showcase of Sashed’s hands-on expertise. The outcome is a beautifully restored set of doors and windows that function flawlessly and retain their original charm.
As an added gesture – and despite not being part of the contracted scope – our team also restored the original ironwork window canopies, which had been painted shut, reviving their period aesthetic and functional contribution to the property.
Transforming the rear with bespoke craftsmanship
The rear of the property told a different story. Previous owners had replaced the original casement windows with units that were out of character with the building. Despite this, the local conservation officer initially resisted any changes, arguing that these windows had acquired their own historic value.
Elaina, seeking improved thermal performance and a more suitable design, turned to Sashed not only for a refined solution but also for support in navigating the planning process. Securing permission took over a year, with Sashed’s Managing Director, Sam Mitchell, working persistently to guide the application to a successful outcome.
Once approved, four new sliding sash windows were installed at the rear. Crafted from Accoya and finished in classic white, these bespoke units were fitted with vacuum-insulated glazing – delivering outstanding energy performance in a traditional format. Internal structural work was required to accommodate the new cords and weights sash box design, which was also undertaken by Sashed, resulting in a seamless blend of heritage style and modern innovation.
In another rear-facing room, the historic sash box was retained, but the poorly fitted modern sashes were replaced with precision-engineered vacuum-glazed sashes. This maintained planning compliance while dramatically improving aesthetics and efficiency.
Client-led and future-ready
Throughout the project, Elaina remained closely involved, valuing not just the visual transformation but the performance and longevity of the solutions. Her focus on sustainability and design made her a natural Sashed client – someone who sees windows not just as features, but as legacy elements of her family home.
“Elaina was an absolute pleasure to work with,” says Sam. “She trusted us to bring sensitivity, expertise, and persistence to a complex brief.”
This Westbourne Terrace case study exemplifies Sashed at its finest: blending the art of historic restoration with bespoke, future-ready craftsmanship that enhances the home for generations to come.
