Authenticity meets efficiency
By Phil Gregory, design and development manager, Veka.
Heritage buildings are central to the UK’s architectural story.
Georgian townhouses, Victorian terraces and Edwardian villas all bring character and a sense of continuity to our streets. The challenge is keeping that character alive while making homes fit for modern living.
But how do you respect authenticity while meeting contemporary requirements and building regulations?
Windows sit at the heart of that debate. They define the look of a building but are also one of its weakest points for energy loss.
Many conservation properties still rely on original single-glass timber sash or casement windows. They look right, but they perform poorly. Replacing or upgrading them calls for solutions that are both technically capable and visually sympathetic.
The heritage challenge
For years, there’s been concern that retrofitting double glazing risks spoiling period buildings.
Modern performance constraints, awkward sightlines or unsuitable finishes can all undermine the careful balance that conservation areas are designed to protect.
At the same time, the case for upgrading has never been stronger. Net zero targets, rising energy costs and homeowner expectations mean that ‘do nothing’ simply isn’t realistic.
That’s why innovation has focused on balancing performance with heritage character.
Slimline double glazing improves thermal efficiency while keeping original proportions intact. Thermally broken profiles recreate the slender look of timber frames but prevent heat loss. And advances in colour and finish matching, using authentic foils, ensure replacements blend naturally into sensitive settings.
These approaches have opened new possibilities for heritage refurbishment, giving specifiers confidence that solutions can satisfy conservation officers and clients.
Veka understands that the heritage market demands a balance between performance and authenticity.
Our product development has always aimed to respect the look of period properties while discreetly upgrading their performance. Take the timeless design of the Imagine vertical sliding windows which feature Georgian bars, a choice of sash horn a deep base rail and woodgrain texture, all to provide an enhanced aesthetic appeal.
Additionally, the 146mm outer frame and sash on this product are fully sculptured with a co-extruded chamber and an intelligent rebate detail. This not only enhances the performance of the window system but also allows for ease of fabrication and installation.
The Omnia range is another good example. With a 70mm profile, it creates the flush aesthetic of traditional timber windows both inside and out – a key consideration for sensitive refurbishments. Behind the traditional appearance, it delivers genuine performance gains.
With U-values of 1.2 W/m²K (double glazed), Omnia moves properties well beyond single-glass standards, cutting heat loss and energy bills.
It also incorporates double rebate sealing for improved weather protection – vital for older properties prone to draughts or damp – as well as better acoustic performance and security.
Authentic mechanical jointing can be specified too, offering timber-look joints for conservation areas where welded corners aren’t acceptable.
Performance is essential, but appearance is equally critical in heritage projects. Omnia has been designed with a wide palette of finishes to ensure visual integration.
Woodgrain foils replicate the warmth and texture of timber without the upkeep. Irish oak, available from stock, has proven especially popular with conservation officers for its authentic look. Other heritage-inspired colours such as ginger oak give specifiers the flexibility to match a wide variety of styles.
The result is a system that delivers practicality without compromising authenticity – exactly what heritage projects demand.
Pressure on heritage buildings will only increase as the UK works towards energy efficiency and carbon reduction. These homes are valued for their history, but they’re also lived in, and residents deserve the same standards of comfort and security as those in new builds.
The future of heritage glazing lies in products that can do both: authentic on the outside, engineered for performance on the inside. Omnia shows how that balance can be achieved. By combining modern performance with traditional detailing, it helps specifiers respect the past while preparing buildings for the future.
