‘Installing new windows was a no-brainer’
Swapping out the cloudy windows for gleaming double glazing enhanced Georgie Butler’s home and outlook
Georgie was looking forward to working on her first home, a three-bedroom house, in the West Midlands, but knew that installing new windows had to be left to the professionals.
‘I’d seen a new-build but found it claustrophobic. Whereas this 1960s house seemed really light and airy, despite the fact that the hall and landing were purple,’ says Georgie, who works in public relations.
‘The large windows really attracted me to the property, but I knew I’d have to decorate all the dated décor. As soon as I got the keys, I prioritised replacing the windows, as there was lots of built-up condensation. I knew they would need doing but when I’d viewed the house they’d been covered by curtains and hadn’t looked as bad.’
Aware of how busy tradespeople were post-lockdown, she immediately got some quotes and chose a local company, Hayley Windows, to do the job. ‘Although the quotes were pretty similar, I chose this company as some family members had used them before,’ she says. ‘They came up with options for how the bigger windows could be divided up with a mix of fixed and opening panels. They did a really good job – I was impressed by the quality of the work and the lack of hidden costs.’
White uPVC casements replaced the old cloudy windows in the bedrooms and bathroom, and Georgie had French doors installed in the sitting room, a new back door fitted in the kitchen and upgraded the front door. ‘There were sliding doors in the living room but French doors are more practical as they open out and make the room seem bigger,’ she says. ‘The previous back door in the kitchen was partially panelled and had a cat flap but is now fully glazed, making the room brighter. I had a couple of frosted glazing panels added to the porch for privacy, too.’
Georgie has since fitted a new kitchen and turned two of the three bedrooms into an art studio and office, but the windows were the right starting point. ‘The windows and doors have made a huge difference. If you’re considering an upgrade, do your research, know what you want and choose a company with a great reputation,’ she advises.