Bespoke Sash Windows – Your Home, Your Way

Option A: Authentic Timber Sash Window

1. The Visual Challenge

Many homeowners face a dilemma: do you stick with authentic timber and accept the maintenance, or switch to modern uPVC? In the past, this was an easy choice because uPVC looked distinctively plastic. Today, that gap has closed.

Compare the Timber window above with the uPVC window below:

Option B: Premium uPVC (Ultimate Rose)

As you can see, the visual difference is negligible. The Ultimate Rose has been engineered specifically to replicate the slim sightlines and putty-lines of the Timber window, making it indistinguishable from the street.

2. Anatomy of a Heritage Sash Window

To understand why these windows look so authentic, we need to look at the details. Cheap uPVC windows often fail because they get the proportions wrong or use “clip-on” details.

A “Run-Through Horn” is continuous with the frame, essential for authenticity.

Both our Timber and Premium uPVC ranges include:

• Run-Through Horns: As shown above, the decorative “feet” at the bottom of the top sash are part of the structure, not stuck-on plastic.
• Astragal Bars: Authentic “Georgian Bars” that sit on the surface of the glass (inside and out) with a spacer bar between the panes.
• Deep Bottom Rail: A thicker rail at the bottom of the window, historically used to support the weight of the glass.

3. The Authentic Choice: George Barnsdale Timber

For Grade II Listed buildings or homes in strict Conservation Areas (like parts of Stockbridge or Romsey), timber is often the only permitted option. We partner with George Barnsdale, the UK’s leader in high-performance timber.

4. The “Invisible” uPVC: Ultimate Rose

If you want the look of timber without the painting schedule, the Roseview Ultimate Rose is widely regarded as the best uPVC sash window on the market.

Standard uPVC windows have welded corners, leaving a diagonal line of plastic (a tell-tale sign of a modern window). The Ultimate Rose uses Mechanical Joints. The corners are screwed and glued just like wood, creating a sharp 90-degree join that mimics traditional joinery perfectly.

It also features an ultra-slim 35mm mid-rail, ensuring your view isn’t blocked by bulky plastic.

5. The Smart Budget Choice: Charisma Rose

Not every project requires conservation-grade detail. For modern homes, new builds, or renovations where budget is a key factor, the Charisma Rose is an excellent choice.

Built on the reliable Eurocell profile, it offers:

• Cost Efficiency: Significantly cheaper than the Ultimate Rose or Timber.
• Modern Performance: ‘A’ rated energy efficiency and tilt-to-clean facility.
• Aesthetics: While it uses welded joints and has a slightly thicker profile, it still offers a beautiful sliding sash appearance with authentic surface-mounted astragal bars.

6. Quick Comparison Table

7. Frequently Asked Questions