By Mark Flanagan, managing director, Ventrolla.

Those living in heritage, listed and period properties understand how vital it is to retain the homes original features. These properties are the backbone of local character across the entirety of the UK.

From Georgian terraces through to Victorian townhouses, these properties tell the story of the country’s architectural heritage and evolution. Central to the identity of these properties are the timber sash and casement windows that embody the craftsmanship of previous generations. It is said that the windows are the ‘eyes of the home’, holding significant influence over the aesthetic of the property.

However, many heritage property owners face the same dilemma, how to improve comfort and energy performance in their heritage home without compromising authenticity. Increasingly the answer lies in restoration over replacement, something we at Ventrolla champion in our work.

The case for restoration
It is widely known that the UK possesses the oldest housing stock in Europe, with more than 5.9 million homes being built before 1919, and another 4.3 million before 1944. Many of these homes do not currently meet modern standards of energy efficiency and that places them directly at the centre of the sustainability conversation.

These heritage homes should not be seen as an obstacle to meeting the net zero challenges, they can actually be part of the solution as the most sustainable property is the one that already exists.

Based on research by the likes of Historic England, repairing and retrofitting older properties can reduce carbon emissions by 30-50% when compared to demolition and rebuild. The sensitive restoration of original sash windows plays a crucial role in this approach, helping to improve performance while retaining historic importance.

The limitations of heritage properties are something to be considered, as replacement is often complex, or impossible, due to planning restrictions designed to protect historical significance. Restoration offers a route to improved heat retention and reduced energy loss without risking the building’s character.

Carefully designed and implemented improvements to windows in heritage homes, such as discreet draught-proofing combined with glazing upgrades, can dramatically improve efficiency without any real visual changes.

Heritage craftsmanship
Restoration is about much more than just repairing the timber and glass, it is about safeguarding centuries-old craftsmanship techniques that are becoming increasingly rare in modern construction.

Heritage work demands specialist knowledge, and an understanding of traditional joinery, historic materials and conservation restrictions, but the sector is currently facing a growing challenge around skills shortage, especially in situations where in-depth expertise is required to correctly carry out the restoration.

It is absolutely vital that investment is made into these skills, or we risk losing them all together. At Ventrolla, we are championing standards and improvement in the industry, leading to the launch of our training academy, partnerships with the likes of the British Woodworking Federation and Knowledge Transfer Partnership project with the University of Leeds.

Aligning the industry
In addition to the skills gap issues, there is a growing inconsistency in the interpretation of planning across cities and regions. While national guidance is generally clear, the way those in the industry interpret it can largely differ.

Work permitted on one property may be refused on an identical building elsewhere, creating confusion for homeowners and delays for contractors.

To address this issue, Ventrolla has launched a series of industry roundtables, bringing together experts from across the heritage and construction industries to encourage a more aligned approach to heritage guidance and retrofit.

The discussions reinforce a shared belief that conservation and modernisation are not opposing goals. With consistent interpretation and more informed decision making, heritage properties can be brought to modern standards of efficiency.

These conversations have already helped to create a clearer pathway for homeowners and professionals alike, meaning sensible improvements that support comfort and efficiency can move forward without undermining the property’s heritage.

A future for heritage
As the UK works towards its net zero 2050 target, heritage buildings must be included in the journey. This requires a balanced and pragmatic approach, one that respects heritage significance while allowing thoughtful upgrades that improve the buildings performance.

Standardised guidance, skilled craftspeople and informed owners will all play a role in achieving this. Most importantly, the sector must continue to champion restoration over replacement wherever possible.