Why is it important to match your window style to your home?
You’re going to be living with your new windows for a long time, so you may as well choose ones you love! It’s understandable that you’ll have preferences when it comes to style, colour, and finish. You might feel like you’re being picky, but having a clear vision is extremely useful in the design process. Your windows can completely change the look of your property, so embrace the chance to create the exterior you’ve always wanted.
This being said, you’ll still want your windows to complement the style of your home. If not because of your personal preferences, then to comply with government window regulations or conservation area controls.
Government window regulations
Visit the UK government’s planning portal and you’ll see that you do not usually need to apply for planning permission for the “insertion of new windows and doors that are of a similar appearance to those used in the construction of the house”. This means that if your window choice is close enough to your old windows in terms of style, then you’ll be able to skip this potentially long and stressful administrative process.
Conservation areas
As you may know, if you live in a conservation area then you might be subject to controls called ‘Article 4 Directions’. These rules are set by your local authority in order to protect certain building features in the area. They can affect your right to do work on your house that wouldn’t normally require planning permission, like replacing your windows with ones of a similar style.
To check whether your property is affected by Article 4 Directions you should contact your local authority.
Listed building consent and extra types of planning permission may also be required if you live in a heritage property. Again, the government’s planning portal can indicate what planning permissions apply to your project. If you need to apply for listed building consent, then contact your local planning authority for more information.
You might be denied planning permission for the installation of a different style of window to your current ones. This can be disappointing and feel like a waste of time, so it’s helpful to get an idea of your chance of success by seeking expert advice before you submit an application.