Home » Case Studies » Accoya Windows – Chestnut House, Quarndon

Chestnut House, Quarndon – Accoya Windows and Doors for a Forever Family Home

Name: Tutbury Bifolding Door
Brand: Gowercroft
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)

A standout window and door package in Accoya, designed for performance, beauty and longevity.

Project Summary

Location: Quarndon, Derbyshire
Property Type: New-build family home
Windows and Doors by Gowercroft: Hardwick Flush Casement windows, Tutbury Bi-Fold Doors
Client: Steph Snooks – experienced property developer

Hardwick casement windows square lead glass elevation painted strutt yellow reclaimed brick building

What windows and doors are best for a new build home?

In 2015, Steph Snooks began work on her forever family home in Quarndon, Derbyshire – a property she would design from the ground up, drawing on her background in property development and her commitment to quality.

Her brief was simple: get it right first time. She wanted products that were:

Timeless in appearance
Environmentally responsible
Thermally efficient
Easy to maintain
Built to last

After visiting our workshop and seeing the precision and care that go into our products, Steph chose Gowercroft to supply the Accoya windows and doors – along with fascia and barge boards as part of a complete joinery package, which was offered at the time.

“I built Chestnut House in 2015/2016. It was to be the dream family forever home and after carefully researching a number of companies I chose Gowercroft to undertake the project making our bespoke Accoya windows, doors and various other timber elements.”

Why choose Accoya windows and doors for a self-build project?

Steph had high expectations for her forever home. She needed timber windows and doors that would:

Match the character of the home
Perform thermally
Require little to no maintenance
Offer genuine long-term value
Be as sustainable as possible

Accoya was the perfect fit. Its dimensional stability and extended lifespan made it ideal for windows and doors that needed to look great and operate smoothly for decades to come.

“Not only does it give a low carbon footprint – the windows will probably outlive me – but 18 months on they still look brand new and are easy to operate. It’s an incredibly durable and stable product.”

What are the benefits of using flush casement windows in a new build?

We supplied our Hardwick Flush Casement Windows throughout the property. These Accoya windows offer both heritage styling and modern performance, making them ideal for characterful new builds.

Features included:

Flush traditional design
Strong thermal performance and draught-proofing
Noise-reducing glass to road-facing rooms
Pre-antiqued rectangular leadwork on the front elevation
Custom colour matching to the natural Derbyshire stone

“As a property developer by trade, I knew exactly how I wanted things to look – and attention to detail was of great importance.”

Are timber bifold doors a good option for garden access?

To create a strong visual and physical connection to the garden, Steph requested two large-format bifolds. We supplied Tutbury Bi-Fold Doors in Accoya, each spanning 5.5m wide by 2.4m high.

These concertina-style doors offered:

Smooth operation
Seamless indoor–outdoor living
Natural light and garden views
Timber warmth with modern performance

“We needed large Bi-Fold doors to cover 5.5m by 2.4m openings and I was determined these would be made in timber. To gain the required stability we chose to use Accoya – it’s worth every penny.”

Can timber windows and doors be colour-matched to other features?

Yes – and that flexibility was key to Steph’s design vision. While Gowercroft now focuses exclusively on windows and doors, this project was delivered during a time when we also provided external joinery.

To complement her carefully selected roof tiles and natural stone elevations, we supplied bespoke fascia and barge boards, fully finished in the same high-quality coating system used on the windows and doors.

“We also used it for the windows and bargeboards and are looking forward to many years of zero maintenance except for keeping them clean!”

Are timber windows and doors a good long-term investment?

Steph was not just happy with the results – she actively recommends Gowercroft to others and plans to use us again.

“The paint finish is of extremely high quality and I’m sure it will last for many more years to come – and there is the option to dual colour, not offered by many companies.”

“Whatever your requirements are, be they contemporary or traditional, Gowercroft will tailor a package to suit your project. As a further endorsement I have recommended Gowercroft to many others and will be commissioning them shortly for the next big build…. another forever home!!”