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Start with the Existing Property

 

Before choosing new windows and doors, take a careful look at the architecture of the building.

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Consider:

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• The age and style of the property

• The proportions of the existing openings

• Which elevations are most visible

• The colour of the brickwork, render and roof

• Existing glazing patterns

• The position of doors and windows

• Whether the property has later, unsympathetic alterations

• The style of neighbouring homes

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Modernising a house does not necessarily mean removing every traditional feature. A period property may look better with simplified versions of its original sash or casement windows than with a completely contemporary design.

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The aim should be to improve the appearance while retaining the features that give the property character.

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Modern Replacement Windows

 

New windows can make one of the greatest visual differences to a property.

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Older replacement windows often have thick frames, small panes and heavy glazing bars. More recent systems can provide slimmer sightlines and larger areas of glass, creating a brighter and less cluttered appearance.

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Popular modern window options include:

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Flush casement windows

Flush casements have opening sections that sit level with the surrounding frame. They provide a cleaner external appearance than many standard projecting casement windows.

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They can work well on contemporary homes and on traditional properties where a simple, understated finish is required.

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Aluminium windows

Aluminium frames are strong and can generally be manufactured with slim profiles. They are frequently chosen for modern extensions, large glazed openings and homes with a contemporary architectural style.

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Dark grey and black aluminium frames can create a striking contrast against pale render, brickwork or timber cladding.

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Contemporary UPVC windows

Modern UPVC windows are available in a much wider selection of profiles and finishes than older white plastic frames.

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Options can include:

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• Flush external frames

• Coloured and wood-effect finishes

• Slimmer glazing bars

• Matching internal and external colours

• Contemporary handles

• Improved frame proportions

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UPVC can provide a practical way to update a property without moving into the higher price range associated with some aluminium or bespoke timber products.

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Timber windows

Timber windows can provide a modern appearance where they are designed with clean profiles, larger panes and carefully selected paint colours.

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They are also suitable where a traditional building is being modernised without losing its original character.

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Use Larger Areas of Glass

 

Increasing natural light can make a home feel more modern, open and spacious.

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Where structurally and practically possible, homeowners may consider:

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• Replacing several small panes with larger glazed sections

• Installing wider kitchen windows

• Introducing full-height glazing

• Replacing a rear window with glazed doors

• Adding rooflights

• Using fixed panes alongside opening windows

• Creating better views of the garden

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Enlarging or creating window openings may require structural alterations, Building Regulations approval and, in some cases, planning permission.

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The visual benefit should therefore be considered alongside the construction work and overall project cost.

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Modern Entrance Doors

 

The front door is one of the first features people notice and can have a major effect on the appearance of a property.

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A modern entrance door can introduce a stronger colour, cleaner detailing and improved proportions. Options include UPVC, aluminium, timber and composite doors.

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When selecting a new front door, consider:

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• Door colour

• Frame colour

• Glazed side panels

• Fanlights

• Handle style

• Letter plate position

• Door furniture

• Threshold design

• Security

• The relationship with nearby windows

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A large modern handle, simple glazing pattern and coordinated frame colour can create a noticeably more contemporary entrance.

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However, the design should remain suitable for the property. A highly minimalist door may look out of place on a traditional Victorian or Edwardian elevation.

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Rear Doors and Garden Connections

Modernising the rear of a property often involves improving the connection between the home and garden.

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Options include:

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French doors

French doors can work well in traditional and modern homes and are particularly useful where the available opening is relatively modest.

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Sliding doors

Sliding doors can provide broad glazed areas with fewer interruptions. Slim-profile aluminium systems are often used to create a contemporary appearance.

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Bifold doors

Bifold doors can open most of the width of an opening, creating a strong connection between an internal room and the garden.

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The number and width of the door panels should be considered carefully, as too many narrow panels can create a cluttered appearance when the doors are closed.

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Glazed entrance doors

A glazed or partially glazed back door can improve daylight in kitchens, utility rooms and circulation areas without requiring a very large structural opening.

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Coordinate Window and Door Colours

 

Frame colour can significantly affect how modern a property appears.

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Popular contemporary choices include:

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• Anthracite grey

• Black

• Soft grey

• Off-white

• Muted green

• Dark bronze

• Natural timber finishes

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Dark frames can provide a strong modern contrast but may dominate a small or heavily detailed elevation. Softer colours may work better with traditional brickwork, stone or render.

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Consider using one coordinated colour across the windows, front door and rear doors. Alternatively, the entrance door can be used as a controlled accent while the windows remain more neutral.

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Ask to see physical colour samples in natural daylight before ordering. Colours shown on a screen or brochure can appear different once installed.

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Reduce Unnecessary Glazing Bars

 

Glazing bars can be appropriate on traditional properties, but poorly proportioned or unnecessary bars may make an elevation appear busy.

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When modernising a property, consider whether the windows would look better with:

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• Larger uninterrupted panes

• Fewer glazing bars

• Simpler horizontal divisions

• Consistent arrangements across the elevation

• Matching opening sections

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Do not remove original or characteristic window patterns without considering the architectural effect. In conservation areas and listed buildings, changing glazing arrangements may also require approval.

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Improve Energy Efficiency and Comfort

 

Modern windows and doors can improve more than the external appearance.

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Depending on the condition of the existing installation, potential benefits can include:

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• Reduced draughts

• Improved thermal performance

• Better sound insulation

• More secure locking

• Easier operation

• Improved weather resistance

• Reduced maintenance

• Greater comfort close to windows and doors

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The quality of the installation is as important as the product. Gaps, inadequate support or poor perimeter sealing can reduce the performance of an otherwise good window.

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Double or Triple Glazing?

 

Double glazing is suitable for many property-modernisation projects and generally offers a practical balance between performance, weight and cost.

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Triple glazing may be considered where higher thermal or acoustic performance is required. However, it is heavier and more expensive, and the additional benefit will vary according to the property.

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Frame design, glass coatings, spacer bars, seals and installation quality all contribute to performance. The number of panes should not be considered in isolation.

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Modernising a Bungalow

 

Modernising a bungalow can be particularly effective because its windows, entrance and roofline are often highly visible from the street.

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Bungalows may benefit from:

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• Larger front windows

• Simplified glazing patterns

• A stronger entrance-door design

• Coordinated window and fascia colours

• Wider rear glazing

• Sliding or bifold garden doors

• Rooflights

• New cladding or render

• More balanced window proportions

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Care is needed when enlarging front openings. Very wide or poorly positioned windows can make the elevation appear unbalanced.

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A simple scheme using well-proportioned windows, a defined entrance and coordinated materials can transform a dated bungalow without changing its underlying structure.

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Modernising a Traditional House

 

A traditional home can be modernised without removing the features that make it distinctive.

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Possible approaches include:

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• Replacing poor-quality later windows with better-proportioned frames

• Using slim timber or heritage-style windows

• Simplifying unsuitable glazing bars

• Introducing a contemporary rear elevation

• Retaining traditional windows at the front

• Using modern doors and glazing in a new extension

• Updating colours while preserving original proportions

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This can create a clear distinction between the historic front of the property and a more modern garden-facing elevation.

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Consider the Whole Elevation

 

Replacing one window at a time may be necessary for budget reasons, but the long-term design should still be planned in advance.

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Inconsistent frame colours, glazing patterns and opening arrangements can make the property look disjointed.

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Before starting, decide:

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• Which windows will eventually be replaced

• The frame material and colour

• The glazing pattern

• Whether sills and trims will match

• How the front door will coordinate

• Whether later phases must match the first installation

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A window schedule or simple elevation drawing can help ensure that phased replacement produces a consistent result.

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Cost of Modernising a House

 

The cost of modernising a house can vary considerably depending on whether the work is limited to windows and doors or forms part of a larger renovation.

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Factors affecting the cost include:

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• Number and size of windows

• UPVC, aluminium, timber or composite frames

• Standard or bespoke products

• Double or triple glazing

• Entrance-door specification

• Sliding, French or bifold doors

• Enlarging structural openings

• New lintels and structural support

• Scaffolding and access

• Internal and external making good

• Planning or heritage requirements

• Decoration and associated external work

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Replacing windows within existing openings will generally cost less than creating larger openings or installing wide glazed doors.

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When comparing quotations, ensure that removal, disposal, trims, sills, making good, certification and guarantees are all clearly included.

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Modernise in Stages

 

A complete transformation does not always need to be undertaken at once.

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A phased project might begin with:

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1. Replacing the front door and the most visible windows.

2. Upgrading bedrooms and living areas.

3. Improving rear doors and garden glazing.

4. Completing remaining windows as the budget permits.

5. Coordinating later external finishes such as render, cladding or decoration.

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Planning the final appearance from the outset will help each stage fit into the completed design.

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Planning Permission and Building Regulations

 

Like-for-like replacement windows and doors in an ordinary house will not normally require planning permission, but additional controls may apply where:

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• Openings are enlarged or relocated

• A new bay window is created

• The property is a flat

• The building is listed

• It is in a conservation area

• An Article 4 Direction applies

• The work materially changes the external appearance

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Building Regulations may also apply to replacement windows, new structural openings and glazed doors.

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Where significant changes are planned, establish the approval requirements before products are ordered.

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Find Trusted Window and Door Installers

 

Modernising a property successfully requires more than choosing fashionable colours. The windows and doors should suit the architecture, improve performance and form part of a coordinated design.

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APN Double Glazing can connect homeowners with experienced local installers for UPVC, aluminium, timber and specialist windows and doors.

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Get in touch for expert advice and a free, no-obligation quote for modernising your home.

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