Location: Burton Road, Brixton, London SW9
Property Type: Victorian Semi
Homeowner: Liam and Anna
Product Installed: New Double-Glazed Timber Box Sash Windows
When Liam and Anna got in touch about their Victorian semi-detached home on Burton Road in Brixton, SW9, it wasn’t the first time we’d worked with them.
We’d fitted some of their windows a couple of years earlier, so when they called about the three remaining single-glazed box-sash windows, they already knew who they wanted to do the job.
This time the reason was more personal. Liam and Anna are expecting their first baby, and they wanted the flat properly sorted before the baby arrived. Top of the list: make it warmer, make it safer, and address a problem that has been building for a while.
The problem
The three original box sash windows were single-glazed and starting to fail.
The windowsills were completely rotted through and were letting damp into the brickwork. The windows themselves were cold and draughty, and condensation was building up on the glass and timber every day. That condensation had turned into black mould on the wood, which is never a good thing to live with, and matters even more with a newborn on the way.
It was simply a case of single-glazed sash windows that had reached the end of their working life and needed replacing properly, not patching up.
We replaced all three single-glazed box sash windows with new timber double-glazed box sash windows, fully painted to match the rest of the house.
The timber in our windows is treated against wet rot, dry rot and insect attack, so the rot that had taken hold in the old window sills won’t be repeating itself any time soon.
Because this is a Victorian property, we matched the new windows to the original design rather than fitting something off the shelf. Same number of panes in each window, and the horn detail copied from the originals, so from the street the house still looks exactly as it should. The whole job took three days from start to finish.
We also fitted vent locks on the new sash windows. That means Liam and Anna can open them for ventilation in the warmer months while keeping the flat secure, which matters more than ever with a baby in the house.
The damp coming through to the brickwork has stopped, and the flat is noticeably warmer. It’s quieter too, which makes a real difference with a baby due. The windows open easily and lock securely, so ventilation and safety aren’t a trade off anymore.
It’s exactly the kind of job we like doing for the same family. Getting it right the first time is usually why we get the call the second time.
If your sash windows in Brixton or anywhere else in London are letting in damp, draughts or cold, it’s worth having a proper look at them before the problem gets any bigger. Get in touch with Novells for a quote.
Minor areas of decay can often be repaired. However, if the windowsills are completely rotten, damp is reaching the surrounding brickwork, or the frames are no longer performing properly, replacement may provide a more reliable long-term solution. In this Brixton home, the three original windows had reached the end of their practical working life.
New double-glazed sash windows can significantly reduce condensation because the internal glass remains warmer than single glazing. Properly fitted new frames can also stop water from entering through rotten timber. Good ventilation is still important, as condensation can also be caused by moisture inside the home.
Yes. We can reproduce the original pane configuration, proportions and decorative details, including traditional sash window horns. For this property, we created new timber box sash windows that complemented the Victorian character while providing modern double glazing.
Vent locks allow sash windows to be opened slightly for fresh air while restricting how far they can move. This can provide greater security and reassurance in homes with babies or young children, although appropriate supervision and normal household safety precautions are still essential.
As Co-founder of Novells Sash Windows, Philip has spent over 20 years perfecting the craft of designing, supplying, and fitting luxury wooden double-glazed box sash windows.
A family-run business led by Philip and his wife Nicola, Novells has fitted thousands of wooden windows across London and Surrey, with clients including Vivienne Westwood and the Victoria & Albert Museum.
