Why heritage style is a must-have
Rob Vaughan, technical and product manager at Window Ware, discusses the surging heritage trend and how Window Ware’s Regal Hardware range – including the latest Knurled finish – is helping fabricators stay ahead of the curve.
Across the fenestration industry, heritage-style windows and doors have become a must-have, rather than a niche product. Whether it’s period renovations, new builds with a classical flair, or modern homes with a retro feel, homeowners are seeking the charm and character of traditional aesthetics but with one key difference – they want timeless looks backed by modern performance.
At FIT Show earlier this year, the sheer number of displays showcasing heritage-style doors and windows made it clear that the heritage trend isn’t just back in fashion, it’s booming.
Search interest in flush sash windows has grown by a remarkable 540% year-on-year, according to recent Google data and it’s an upsurge we’re seeing at Window Ware. The market is hungry for authentic heritage detailing that doesn’t compromise on functionality or durability.
That’s where our Regal Hardware range really shines. As a premium collection of door and window handles, stays and pegs, Regal Hardware is a mark of distinction for your doors and windows, offering a heritage hardware collection that ticks every box in terms of style, substance, and supply. The range includes our original, much-loved monkey tail and pear drop designs, as well as the latest addition, the knurled range.
Regal Hardware replicates the timeless aesthetics of 19th-century ironmongery with its authentic pear drop and monkey tail designs. While originally designed to complement flush sash doors and windows, its versatile style works just as well on a wide range of installations including engineered PVC-U doors, which are becoming increasingly popular.
The impressive versatility of the range was clear at the FIT Show, where Regal Hardware was featured on everything from elegant French doors and stunning period composite doors to sleek heritage steel-look aluminium doors.
But while the look is traditional, the performance is thoroughly modern, featuring key-lockable handles, precise operation, and a robust 10-year mechanical guarantee. The pear drop and monkey tail designs come in nine distinctive finishes, including heritage favourites like black and pewter patina, giving fabricators and installers the flexibility to meet even the most bespoke customer brief.
For the last seven years, our fabricator partners have told us they love the quality and solid feel of Regal. They value how our premium hardware perfectly complements their heritage-inspired windows, helping to make them a truly top-tier offering.
As the heritage trend continues to evolve, hardware must do the same. That’s why we created the latest addition to the Regal family, the knurled range, which we launched earlier this year.
The knurled design was developed in direct response to the growing appetite for steel-look heritage aluminium doors and windows. These industrial-inspired systems are becoming increasingly popular in both residential and commercial projects, offering a sleek, minimalist aesthetic that still pays homage to vintage styling. But finding hardware that’s both eye-catching and built to last has been a challenge.
Our knurled window and door handles solve that problem. Available in four striking finishes – PVD black, antique bronze, smooth satin silver, and gun metal – they provide the perfect finishing touch for luxury heritage aluminium systems.
Their design echoes the rugged simplicity of classic industrial style, while the knurled texture adds a unique grip element that enhances both form and function.
For fabricators, these handles represent a valuable opportunity to differentiate. They can meet modern heritage tastes, add visual flair to their installations, and reassure customers with hardware that’s been rigorously tested for corrosion resistance and durability.
At FIT Show, we were proud to see Regal Hardware displayed on numerous stands across the exhibition, adorning everything from elegant French doors and stunning period composite doors to classic timber alternative flush sash windows and sleek heritage steel-look aluminium doors. It was a great endorsement not just for the product, but for our strategy of supporting this trend from the ground up.