Heritage Window – Harvington Hall Farm, Kidderminster
Heritage Windows and Doors installed in a picturesque 18th Century Grade II listed farmhouse in rural Kidderminster. The project shows how valuable Pilkington Spacia™ double glazing is when modernising with heritage window.
Heritage window replacement in a Grade II listed farmhouse
Key takeaways
- 25 Richmond flush casement windows and 2 heritage-style doors installed
- Accoya® frames with traditional mouldings and concealed gaskets
- Glazed with Pilkington Spacia™ vacuum glass (at the time) for energy efficiency
- Listed building consent achieved without changes
- Damp and condensation issues resolved; interior comfort significantly improved
What is the history of Harvington Hall Farmhouse?
Harvington Hall Farmhouse is a Grade II listed property located just east of Harvington Hall, the stunning fourteenth-century moated manor house near Kidderminster.
The farmhouse features brick elevations set around a traditional timber frame and likely dates from the 17th and 18th centuries. The adjacent timber-framed barn was built around the same time.
What issues were affecting the property?
Over time, the farmhouse underwent several changes, including 18th-century remodelling, 19th-century extensions, and some 20th-century alterations. The most recent updates included poor-quality softwood casement windows with glazing bars and 1950s steel side-hung casements. These modern additions lacked historical value and were in poor condition.
The timber window frames had swollen and were difficult to open. High internal humidity, caused by condensation on the single glazing, led to significant decay. Water often pooled on the sills, which meant the windows needed frequent cleaning.
Owner Chris Walker shared:
“I fell in love with the property when I saw it on the market, the location and grounds were fantastic.”
“However, when we moved in it became clear that there were a few issues as the house smelt of damp, was always cold and the air inside seemed very stale.”
Wooden windows beyond repair
Chris consulted the local conservation officer, who suggested options like secondary glazing or slimline double-glazed units. However, the original timber frames were too degraded to be repaired economically. New windows were the only viable solution.
Why was Pilkington Spacia™ chosen?
The pre-application advice listed ultra-slim vacuum-glazed Pilkington Spacia™ as a suitable option for listed buildings. Chris found this particularly appealing due to its much higher performance than single glazing or slimline double-glazing. Further research confirmed its superior reliability and long-term efficiency.
How did Gowercroft assist?
Chris approached Gowercroft Joinery, who at the time were one of only six approved Pilkington Spacia™ dealers in the UK and Ireland. With a reputation for high-end, traditionally crafted windows, our team was a perfect fit.
We recommended our award-winning Richmond flush casement, which closely matched the original windows. Its traditional features included slender profiles, detailed mouldings, concealed gaskets, putty-line beads, and heritage-style ironmongery.
We also supported the planning application process, which was approved without any changes.
Which heritage windows were installed?
The first phase of the project included 25 Richmond Flush casement windows and two heritage-style door sets, all glazed with Pilkington Spacia™. These new Accoya® units replaced a mix of basic softwood infills and a modern aluminium door, bringing unity and visual harmony to the façade.
Chris said:
“I am very pleased with the new windows, which have made a huge difference to the look and feel of the house. The damp smell has now gone, the air feels ‘healthier’ and the house is much warmer and more comfortable.”
Harvington Hall Heritage Window and Door Gallery
A text book example of how a Heritage Window improves a listed building
In early 2019, Pilkington filmed a video of this project to highlight how effectively Gowercroft solved the farmhouse’s issues using Pilkington Spacia™.
Watch the video here:
https://youtu.be/NheAyyyAcUY
How have Gowercroft developed their products?
Since this project, we’ve transitioned to using LandVac vacuum glass.
LandVac offers U-values as low as 0.4 W/m²K, outperforming Passivhaus standards. At just 8.3 mm thick, it provides outstanding thermal and acoustic insulation with minimal visual impact. Its slim profile and high durability make it ideal for heritage applications, where maintaining the building’s original appearance is essential.
With better condensation resistance and a longer lifespan, LandVac is now our vacuum glass of choice for listed buildings and conservation areas.
Learn more about our Heritage Windows
Explore how our award-winning Heritage Window Range combines traditional aesthetics with cutting-edge performance.