Timber Sliding Sash Windows at the Lovatt Farmhouse, Clifton, Leicester
Key takeaways:
- 19 Georgian-style timber sliding sash windows and 7 wood flush casement windows for a Leicester farmhouse
- Gowercroft was chosen over a cheaper competitor due to better specification, quality, and long-term value
- Products included sliding sash, flush casement, and Melbourne entrance doors in Accoya and Red Grandis
- Georgian bar layouts were adapted to suit farmhouse styling, with fewer bars on upper and side windows
- The project achieved a modernised yet traditional finish, with improved performance and lower maintenance
Why were Gowercroft’s Georgian windows chosen for this Leicester farmhouse?
How did our specification compare to the competitor’s?
The Lovatts needed confidence that their investment would last. Below is a side-by-side comparison of our offering and the competitor’s:
| Feature | Gowercroft | Competitor |
|---|---|---|
| Guarantee | Full 10-year, no quibble on all elements | Unspecified |
| Paint finish | Any colour. Factory-applied 3-coat system. No maintenance for 10 years. | Standard white basecoat. No mention of topcoats. Unclear if factory or site applied. No warranty stated. |
| Glazing | Internally, wet glazed with concealed pinning in the factory. | Externally glazed. Beads and glass supplied separately for site installation. |
| Draught-proofing | Casements and doors double gasketed as standard. Sliding sashes have patented seal system, Class 4 Air Permeability | Casements and doors single gasketed. Sliding sashes have standard draught strips, assume Class 1-2 Air Permeability |
| Door design | Casements and doors: double gasketed. Sash windows: patented seal system (Class 4 air permeability). | Casements and doors: single gasketed. Sash windows: standard strips (estimated Class 1–2 air permeability). |
| Door design | 61mm thick. Insulated TEC panels included. Attached top and bottom rails for added strength. | Frame, ledge, and braced. Overboarded. Boards run to ground, exposing end grain (risk of moisture). |
| Spiral balance covers | All spiral balances covered with timber infills. | Exposed plastic spiral balances. |
| Astragals and beads | Q-Wood beading (engineered for long life and stability). 22mm astragal bars. | Hardwood beading and bars. 25mm astragal bars. |
| Glass specification | Low-iron outer pane for clearer views. Bonded internal bars for better efficiency. | Back-to-back spacers behind astragals. Less efficient overall. |
As the comparison shows, our products stood out for:
- A full 10-year no-quibble warranty
- Durable, low-maintenance coatings
- Internal factory glazing for better security and weatherproofing
- Higher-performing seals and draught-proofing
- Neater, concealed spiral balances
- More energy-efficient bonded glazing systems
- Superior timber and detailing, including Q-Wood beads and slimmer astragal bars
The Lovatts saw that they weren’t just comparing prices — they were comparing products built to very different standards.
What Gowercroft products were installed?
Once the order was placed, we supplied the following:
- 19 timber sliding sash windows (Chatsworth style)
- 7 Hardwick flush casement windows
- 5 Melbourne entrance doors
All windows and doors were crafted using a combination of Accoya and engineered Red Grandis timber.
How did the Georgian window design balance modern and traditional styles?
Although the building retained its traditional farmhouse character, Mark and Saffron wanted to modernise it in a sympathetic way. Alongside new landscaping and render, the window design helped update the appearance without compromising the building’s heritage.
Hardwick Flush Casement Windows
We supplied simple, elegant flush casements, many of which featured radial top scribes. These were mostly installed on the side elevations — a typical feature in rural agricultural properties.
Timber Sliding Sash Windows
The front elevation was fitted with Georgian-style sliding sash windows, finished with applied bars to replicate the traditional multi-pane look. The bar layout was varied throughout — upper floors and side windows had fewer bars to reflect traditional farmhouse hierarchy.
What are Georgian bar windows?
Georgian windows are defined by the appearance of multiple small panes within each sash. In historic buildings, these were individual panes held in place by slender glazing bars.
Modern versions recreate the same look using applied bars on both outer faces of the glass unit. A bonded spacer between the panes completes the illusion of smaller individual panes, while maintaining excellent thermal performance and energy efficiency.
What doors were chosen for this project?
The Lovatts selected five Melbourne entrance doors, designed with a blend of traditional style and contemporary impact.
- Cream frames matched the windows
- Dark blue doors created a bold contrast
- Insulated TEC panels provided improved performance
Each door reflected the same care in detail, performance, and finish as the windows.
Were the clients happy with the result?
Mark and Saffron were delighted with the end result. Their goal was to blend old and new — and the final design achieved exactly that.
“We’re confident that our investment in better quality windows and doors was the only choice we could have made. The looks, performance, lifespan and warranties were all far better than anything else on offer.”
Their new windows and doors enhanced the property’s efficiency, comfort, and kerb appeal, while still respecting its agricultural roots.
Georgian Windows Gallery
