Astragal Bars vs Georgian Bars: What’s the Difference?

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A premium Residence 9 window with a single “cottage” Astragal bar for a highly authentic traditional look.

What Are Georgian Bars?

Georgian bars are the more modern, cost-effective method of creating a traditional grid pattern on a window. Instead of being stuck to the outside of the glass, the decorative bars are inserted directly between the two panes of glass inside the double-glazed sealed unit.

Because the bars are positioned internally, the interior and exterior surfaces of your window remain completely flat and smooth. This makes them incredibly practical for busy households.

What Are Astragal Bars?

Astragal bars are designed to replicate the authentic look of traditional timber windows. Hundreds of years ago, large panes of glass were too expensive or impossible to make, so craftsmen joined multiple small panes of glass together using wooden glazing bars.

Modern Astragal bars recreate this heritage look on a single double-glazed unit. The bars are physically bonded to the exterior and interior faces of the glass. Crucially, a “dummy” spacer bar is placed inside the sealed unit directly between the outer bars. When you look through the window, it genuinely looks like multiple individual panes of glass joined together.

LEFT: Georgian Bars (Internal)

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The bars sit cleanly inside the sealed glass unit, leaving a flat surface.

RIGHT: Astragal Bars (External)

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Raised bars on the outside with an internal spacer to mimic individual panes.

Comparison Breakdown: Georgian vs Astragal

Cost Comparison: Are Astragal Bars More Expensive?

Generally speaking, yes. Astragal bars cost more than Georgian bars because they are physically more complex to manufacture. They require additional materials (the external bars, the internal bars, and the dummy spacer grids), advanced structural adhesives, and precise manual fitting.

However, the difference in price can vary considerably depending on the specific window system you choose, the number and configuration of the bars, the glazing specification, and the frame material.

Which Bars Are Best for Period Properties?

When upgrading a period property—whether it’s a Victorian terrace, an Edwardian semi, or a country cottage—maintaining the architectural integrity of the home is vital.

While Georgian bars offer a nod to traditional design, Astragal bars are often preferred for heritage applications because they provide a more authentic traditional appearance. By perfectly recreating traditional Georgian-window jointing, they can be utilised beautifully on flush casement windows and classic sliding sash windows to preserve the property’s character.

On period properties and homes in conservation areas, the choice of window design can be important because local planning or conservation requirements may strongly influence the appearance and materials permitted. Always check with your local authority where strict planning restrictions apply.

Our Recommendation: Which Should You Choose?

Choose Georgian bars if:

• Easy cleaning is important to you.
• You want traditional styling at a lower cost.
• You are fitting new windows to a relatively modern property.

Choose Astragal bars if:

• Absolute historical authenticity is your priority.
• You are replacing windows on a period property.
• You want the physical appearance of individually glazed traditional windows.
• You are trying to replicate existing timber windows perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions