The 12 Steps of Self-Build: Windows & Doors

Nowhere else in the self-build world are there so many decisions concentrated into such a relatively small area as the choice of windows and doors. Which material? Which style? Radically different dressings. Different glazing specifications. Different opening mechanisms. Even different ways of measuring the finished product. In part six of our series, we guide you through the issues you face in deciding what is best for your project.

Style

The design of windows and doors has a big impact on the look and feel of a house — the so-called kerb appeal. And like so many other aspects of house design, there are a number of conventions which you would do well to observe, unless you are supremely confident in your chosen design.

By way of example, take a look at what has happened to the sliding sash window, a standard feature of British housing in the 18th and 19th centuries. Visit any area of Victorian housing today and you will see all manner of window styles, as owners have replaced the originals in a piecemeal fashion with scant regard to what was there originally. Often, these replacement windows look cheap and unattractive — and consequently devalue the house. The houses that stand out in these areas are the ones where either the original windows have been lovingly maintained or they have been replaced by something in keeping. Bear this in mind if you are replacing windows in a period home renovation project. And remember this lesson applies to new homes as well: ensure the window style complements the overall design.

Find out more about windows and doors:

• Choosing Windows
• Front Doors
• Patio Doors
• Dressings
• Energy Efficiency

The 12 Steps of Self Build:

• Step One: Starting Out
• Step Two: Your Route
• Step Three: Construction Systems
• Step Four: Groundworks & Foundations
• Step Five: Roofs
• Step Six: Windows & Doors
• Step Seven: External Appearance
• Step Eight: Heating & Plumbing
• Step Nine: Electrics
• Step Ten: Kitchens & Bathrooms
• Step Eleven: Internal Finishes
• Step Twelve: Outside Spaces