Windows for Georgian Properties Edinburgh

6-over-6 · Crown Glass · LBC Approved · From £1,895 per window

Georgian Edinburgh — the New Town, parts of the Old Town, Stockbridge, Canonmills — was built between 1767 and 1830 with characteristic 6-over-6 sash and case windows, Crown or Cylinder glass, and slim astragal bars. Almost every Georgian property is listed (Cat A or B) or sits in a conservation area, so any window work needs heritage-grade craftsmanship and full Listed Building Consent paperwork. We handle both.

What makes a Georgian sash window different

Georgian sashes are taller and narrower than Victorian, divided into six panes per sash by slim astragal bars typically 18-22mm wide. Glass was Crown (hand-blown, with a central bullion) or Cylinder (flat-blown with characteristic ripple). Frames were softwood with hand-cut joints; the box was deep (140-160mm) to house heavy cast-iron weights. Modern replacements that get the proportions wrong — thicker astragals, flat machine glass, shallow boxes — look immediately wrong on a Georgian terrace.

Restoration over replacement

On any Cat A or B listed Georgian property, the council will require restoration rather than replacement except in cases of total structural failure. Our restoration scope: dismantle, splice rotten timber with matched-grain seasoned softwood, renew sash cords in waxed cotton, restore original Crown or Cylinder glass (we hold a stock of period glass for replacement panes), re-bed putty in dark linseed to match original, repaint in a three-coat breathable linseed-oil system. The window comes out factory-fresh and lasts another 60 years.

Slim-line double glazing for Georgian sashes

Modern slim-line argon units 11-14mm deep retrofit into the original 19mm glazing rebate without changing the astragal width or the exterior profile. Centre-pane U-value drops from 5.8 to 1.2 W/m2K. On listed Georgian properties we use Slimlite Heritage or FineO units with a hand-blown outer leaf to retain the Crown-glass ripple; the council usually approves this on a case-by-case basis with a heritage statement.

Replacement when restoration isn't viable

When the box pulley stiles are rotten through or previous owners have already butchered the window with uPVC, we supply made-to-measure Georgian-pattern sashes in engineered Accoya or laminated European redwood. 18mm astragal bars, ovolo mouldings, brass hardware, factory-finished in your choice of heritage colour. From £1,895 per single window, £2,495 per oversized New Town parlour sash.

Listed Building Consent paperwork

Every Georgian project over £4,000 includes full Listed Building Consent paperwork: heritage statement, photographic survey, scale drawings, method statement and submission to Edinburgh City Council Planning. Consent typically takes 8 weeks; we submit during the manufacture window so the consent and the joinery finish together. No separate paperwork fee — it's included in the project price.

Where we work

Georgian work focuses on New Town (Charlotte Square, George Street, Heriot Row, Queen Street, Great King Street, Cumberland Street, Drummond Place), Old Town (Royal Mile flats above retail), Stockbridge (Ann Street, St Bernard's Crescent), Inverleith and parts of Canonmills. Every job is surveyed by a heritage joiner before quoting — we don't quote sight-unseen on Georgian properties.

Frequently asked questions

Can I replace Georgian sash windows in the New Town?
Only with Listed Building Consent and only when restoration is not viable. The council will refuse replacement of repairable windows. Restoration is the default on Cat A and B listed Georgian properties.
Can Georgian sashes be double-glazed?
Yes — slim-line argon units 11-14mm deep retrofit into the original 19mm rebate. On listed Georgian properties the council usually approves with a heritage statement, especially when the outer pane is hand-blown to retain the Crown-glass ripple.
How much does Georgian window restoration cost?
Typical pair of restored Georgian 6-over-6 sashes: £1,395-£1,895 fixed, including full strip, timber splicing, cord renewal, restored glass, putty re-bedding, three-coat linseed paint. Slim-line glazing adds £350 per sash.
Will you handle the Listed Building Consent paperwork?
Yes — included in every project over £4,000. Heritage statement, photographic survey, drawings and submission. Consent typically 8 weeks; we submit during the manufacture window so the timelines align.
What's Crown glass and do I need to keep it?
Crown glass is hand-blown glass with a central bullion mark, used on Georgian sashes before 1840. On listed buildings, any sound original Crown glass must be retained. We carefully de-glaze, store and re-bed any salvageable panes.
Are you on the Edinburgh New Town conservation officer's approved list?
We work to the standards the conservation officers require — heritage joiners, breathable paints, traditional cord and pulley assemblies. We are not on a formal approved list (no such list exists), but our scopes are routinely approved on first submission.

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