Vacuum Glazed Sash and Casement Windows for Grade II Cottage, Wells-next-the-Sea
Key takeaways:
- Gowercroft supplied and installed 19 heritage sash and casement windows in a Grade II listed cottage
- Vacuum glazed windows from the Heritage Range were approved for use in a strict conservation area
- Project involved multiple phases and close collaboration with contractor and planners
- Traditional appearance was maintained with vastly improved thermal performance
- Installation included both subtle front elevations and bold feature windows at the rear
What is the history of this Grade II listed cottage in North Norfolk?
Tucked away in a peaceful North Norfolk village, this Grade II listed cottage has centuries of history within its walls. The oldest part of the building dates back to the 1600s, with early nineteenth-century additions shaping its current form. Built in local flint with red brick quoins and topped with traditional clay pantiles, it blends seamlessly into the surrounding conservation area.
Over the years, it served many purposes. It began life as a bakery, later became a Methodist reading room, and from the 1950s to the mid-1980s, it was the village Post Office. The courtyard still holds the original well, now carefully preserved beneath toughened glass and featured as a striking part of the open-plan interior.
Owners Mike and Paula bought the main house in 1991, then expanded into the adjoining two-bedroom cottage in 2016. Their vision was to create a characterful, energy-efficient home that respected the past while meeting modern standards of comfort.
What made this North Norfolk cottage renovation so unique?
Working with Norfolk Pro Build, Mike and Paula reimagined the layout of both properties. The interior was opened up to create better flow, and a new spiral staircase was added to access the timber-framed first floor.
One of the most dramatic changes was the addition of a glass extension built over two existing brick archways. This linked previously disconnected spaces and opened up the ground floor to a private courtyard. It allowed the couple to maintain the historic shell of the building while improving daily living and usability.
The renovation stayed true to the building’s history, using locally appropriate materials and retaining period features wherever possible. The window replacements were a critical part of this balancing act.
How did vacuum glazing help secure planning permission in a conservation area?
Like many listed property owners, Mike and Paula faced strict planning rules. The local conservation officer expressed a strong preference for like-for-like replacements using single glazing, but that would have meant compromising on warmth and comfort.
“The prospect of installing cold and draughty single glazed windows was just not acceptable to us,” said Mike. “Whilst we were fully committed to maintaining the historic integrity of our home, we also wanted to benefit from a warm and pleasant living environment.”
Standard double glazing was also ruled out due to the thickness of the units, which would not have passed conservation scrutiny. Our Heritage Range offered a unique alternative: high-performance timber windows fitted with ultra-slim LandVac vacuum glazing, delivering modern insulation in a traditional profile.
“We looked at various window types. The thickness of standard double glazing was definitely out of the question for the planners,” Mike explained. “But we then discovered Gowercroft’s Heritage range, which uses LandVac energy efficient vacuum glazing with a 0.3 mm airgap. For us, these traditional looking, modern windows really did tick all the boxes …so we looked no further!”
Planning permission was granted thanks to detailed technical drawings, specification documents, and conservation-focused support from our Special Projects Director, David Brown. His input reassured planners that the new windows would retain the building’s character while delivering outstanding performance.
Which sash and casement windows were used in the renovation?
Gowercroft supplied 19 handcrafted timber windows in total. These included a mix of our Winston Heritage Sliding Sash and Richmond Flush Casement styles from the award-winning Heritage Range.
- On the front elevation white Accoya® Winston Heritage sliding sash windows and Richmond flush casement windows with glazing bars replaced the rotting timber originals. They subtly blend with the pale blue render and
- At the rear, planners were more flexible. Earlier alterations in the 1980s and 1990s had changed the original fenestration. This gave Mike and Paula the opportunity to introduce bolder feature windows, finished in a striking blue to contrast with the brick and flint façade.
All the windows were factory-finished in Gowercroft’s advanced microporous coating system, ensuring a long-lasting finish with minimal maintenance.
How was the window installation phased during the build?
With significant renovation works underway, the window installation had to be carefully staged to align with construction timelines. Gowercroft worked in three phases:
- Phase one: Twelve windows were installed at the start of the project, before major building work began
- Phase two: Midway through the build, additional windows were fitted as sections of the house became accessible
- Phase three: Final apertures were completed toward the end of the project
This approach required close coordination with Norfolk Pro Build to keep everything running smoothly and avoid disruption. Our team adapted to the pace of the build and made sure each stage of installation was completed on time and to the highest standard.
“We’re delighted with the quality and appearance of our new windows,” said Mike. “We were particularly impressed with how the Gowercroft team went the extra mile to help us, right from the early planning stage up to making sure that the final installation went smoothly.”
Why were we chosen for this listed property renovation?
This project wasn’t about standard timber windows. It was about finding the right solution for a sensitive and much-loved building, where every decision mattered.
Mike and Paula needed windows that could:
- Satisfy stringent conservation requirements
- Provide modern thermal performance
- Complement a range of architectural styles across the site
- Be installed in phases around ongoing construction
- Preserve character while improving daily comfort
Our experience with listed buildings, combined with our pioneering use of vacuum glazing, made us the ideal partner. From planning advice to technical support and precise installation, we helped bring this historic Norfolk property into the future without losing its soul.
