When Emma bought her period property in Urmston, the existing windows were only around a year or two old, but their basic modern appearance did not suit the character of the house. Having used The Window Company previously, Emma returned to us with a clear objective: improve the kerb appeal, bring character back to the front and create a more considered look at the rear.
The finished project shows how two different design directions can work on the same home. Cream sash windows complement the traditional front elevation, while anthracite grey sash windows and heritage-style aluminium doors give the rear a darker, more contemporary feel.
Project at a Glance
| Location | Urmston |
| Property Type | Period property |
| Products Installed | Sash windows to front and rear; heritage-style aluminium doors to the rear |
| Colours | Cream to the front; anthracite grey / black to the rear |
| Project Highlights | Restoring period character at the front while creating a contrasting contemporary look at the rear |
The Customer Challenge
Emma's period property in Urmston had previously been renovated and fitted with fairly basic standard uPVC casement windows. Although they were relatively new, double glazed and functional, Emma felt they had removed much of the character from the house and did not show the property off to its full potential.
Her priority was the appearance. She wanted the front of the house to feel more in keeping with its period style and to have the kind of kerb appeal that made her proud to stand back and look at her home. At the rear, she was open to a different approach that worked with its more contemporary rendered finish.
Before & After
Front Elevation
Our Recommendation
The right solution was not to force one style across the whole property. Cream sash windows were selected for the front to complement the original brickwork and period proportions, while the rear moved in a darker direction with anthracite grey / black sash windows and heritage-style aluminium doors.
This allowed Emma to retain the character she wanted at the front without being restricted by it at the rear. The result is a property with two distinct looks that still feel considered as one home.
Front Bay Window
Installation Summary
The installation replaced relatively recent standard windows with products chosen primarily for their design, proportions and suitability for the property. At the front, the new sash windows changed the appearance of the bay and upper openings, while at the rear the new dark sash windows and heritage-style aluminium doors created a much stronger feature within the rendered elevation.
The Finished Result
For Emma, the biggest difference is the wow factor. The front elevation of her Urmston home now has a much more traditional appearance, with the cream sash windows sitting naturally against the brickwork and restoring some of the character that had been lost during the previous renovation.
The rear has a different personality. The darker sash windows and heritage-style aluminium doors give it a clean, contemporary feel, showing that a home does not have to use exactly the same colour and style on every elevation to achieve a successful overall result.
Rear Door Opening
Finished Project Gallery
What Our Customer Said on Google
“I couldn't be happier with the results from The Window Company.
The new windows at the front have completely elevated the look of the house, bringing back the beautiful period character and paying homage to how the property would originally have looked. At the back, we've gone for Crittall-style doors alongside modern sash windows, and I'm absolutely delighted with how everything has turned out.
The whole team were fantastic. Super friendly, knowledgeable, clean and tidy, with brilliant attention to detail and genuinely great craftsmanship.
From the very first meeting with Sally, who always gives such sound, honest advice, through to the final installation, the whole experience has been seamless.
This is actually the second time I've worked with The Window Company, which probably says it all. If I ever move again, I'll absolutely be using them for a third time.”
— Emma Crabtree, Google Review
Customer Q&A
What made you decide to replace your windows or doors?
The previous windows were hideous, to me anyway! It's a period property, but the builder who had renovated it before I bought it had removed a lot of the original features, particularly at the back, and replaced the windows with standard uPVC casements.
Although the existing windows were relatively new and double glazed, they were very basic and just didn't suit the character of the house. I knew I wanted to replace them with good-quality windows and doors that would look the part and bring some of that character back into the property.
Why did you choose The Window Company?
We chose The Window Company because we had used them previously at our last house. They installed a composite door for us and we were so happy with the whole experience that, when it came to replacing the windows and doors at our new home, we knew we didn't want to use anyone else.
What was most important to you when choosing the new products?
The most important thing for me was choosing something that would really improve the kerb appeal of the house. I wanted to be able to stand back on the road, look at my home and think, 'Wow.'
I did a lot of research into the different products and colours beforehand and even used AI to create mock-ups of the different options. By the time I went to see the team at The Window Company, I had a really clear idea of the look I wanted to achieve.
What do you like most about the finished result?
I just love the way they look. They've completely transformed the kerb appeal of the property and made me feel really proud of my home.
The cream windows at the front pay homage to the original character and period features of the property, while at the back we chose black sash windows to create a more traditional but contemporary feel. Alongside the heritage-style aluminium doors, it gives the rear of the house a really clean and stylish aesthetic.
What difference have you noticed since the installation?
The biggest difference for me is simply the wow factor. I absolutely love the way the property looks now the new windows and doors have been installed. They've completely changed the appearance of the house.
From Wayne
What stood out to me about this project was that the windows we replaced were only around a year or two old. There was nothing technically wrong with them, but they simply did not suit the house. Emma had done her research, knew the look she wanted and was prepared to use two different styles to get the best result. Our installation team have brought those choices together really well.
For future customers, the lesson is to think about how the windows work with the property rather than looking at them in isolation. The right proportions, colour and style can completely change a home. That is what we have always tried to do at The Window Company for nearly 40 years: listen first, help customers choose the right products and make sure the finished job does the property justice.
Products Used
- Cream sash windows to the front elevation
- Anthracite grey / black sash windows to the rear
- Heritage-style aluminium doors to the rear
Project Location: Urmston
This project was completed for a customer in Urmston. If you're considering sash windows or heritage-style aluminium doors for a period home in the area, take a look at our sash windows in Urmston page for more on the products and services we offer locally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use different window colours on the front and rear of the same house?
Yes. Emma chose cream sash windows at the front and a darker anthracite grey / black finish at the rear. In this project, the different treatments suited the character of each elevation.
Can new windows help bring period character back to a property?
That was one of Emma's main objectives. Replacing the basic casement windows at the front with cream sash windows gave the property a much more traditional appearance.
Can heritage-style aluminium doors work alongside sash windows?
In this project, the heritage-style aluminium doors were used at the rear alongside dark sash windows to create a clean, coordinated look.
Is it worth researching window styles and colours before choosing?
Emma did a lot of research and even created AI mock-ups before making her final choices. She felt this helped her arrive with a clear idea of the look she wanted to achieve.
Related
- Sliding Sash Windows
- Heritage-Style Aluminium Doors
- Sash Windows in Urmston
- Our Showroom
- More Customer Projects
Get in Touch
If you are planning to replace windows or doors in a period property in Urmston or the surrounding area, it is worth taking the time to think about the character you want to keep and where a more contemporary approach might work. Visit our showroom or speak to the team and we can help you explore the options without pressure.