1930s Style Windows in London
Authentic Design, Modern Performance
At Ayrton Bespoke, we design and handcraft bespoke, authentic timber windows across all architectural eras, including 1930s-style homes. Our interwar period windows bring a unique character, striking a balance between the ornate designs of the late Victorian era and Arts & Crafts movement, and the modernist styles that followed.
What makes an Ayrton Bespoke 1930s style window?
It is surprisingly challenging to create heritage-accurate 1930s-style windows, and as recognised experts in designing and crafting style-true period windows, we often see attempts that feel like ‘generic heritage windows’, or lean too heavily into design choices from other eras.
At Ayrton Bespoke, we take pride in delivering handcrafted timber 1930s-style windows that offer modern performance in the right proportions, right glazing patterns, and the right lines.
Authentic 1930s Design Details
We design replacement 1930s-style windows that beautifully capture the qualities of the era without coming across as uninspired or architecturally inaccurate. From refined bay window arrangements featuring balanced glazing bars to the understated decorative touches we associate with the interwar home, our 1930s-style windows feel correct rather than vaguely traditional.
Designed Around Your Home’s Original Character
London homes built in the 1930s may differ significantly in style. While some homes are more heavily influenced by the Arts & Crafts movement, others place a greater emphasis on symmetry and exposed brickwork. Exclusively crafting bespoke window replacements, our team studies the property’s architecture to deliver new timber windows that feel like they belong.
Heritage Sensitive Without Compromising Performance
Where original 1930s windows are beyond repair, we craft true replacements that preserve the property’s visual identity while discreetly enhancing thermal, acoustic, and security performance. We specialise in helping listed, heritage, and conservation area homeowners enjoy more comfortable homes without losing their property’s charm.
London can be hard on windows and doors. Heavy rain, significant temperature swings, and general high humidity all need to be taken into account when designing and crafting windows that are expected to perform as-new for decades to come. At Ayrton, we get this right every time.
Traditional Looks. Modern Thermal Performance
Proportion is arguably the defining feature of 1930s-style London windows. Frames and glazing patterns feel elegant and balanced, never too bulky or heavy. Our engineered timber windows are crafted to historical standards while incorporating modern glazing and draught sealing for improved comfort, energy efficiency, and day-to-day performance.
Built for Durability and Dimensional Stability
Temperature and humidity changes place stress on joinery. Our timber windows are handcrafted using traditional techniques before being finished in modern, factory-controlled conditions. The result is a complete window system that looks authentic but is built to offer decades of smooth operation regardless of the weather. All our timber windows feature industry-leading durability promises as standard.
Discreetly Integrated Security
Period accuracy matters; so does peace of mind. Our 1930s-style timber windows are designed to incorporate modern security in a way that does not disrupt aesthetics, while still delivering modern security. Our windows feature insurance-approved, face-mounted lockable handles and espagnolette multipoint locking systems.
Smooth, Reliable Operation
Whether opting for traditional weight-assisted mechanisms or modern spring-balanced solutions, careful calibration and rigorous in-house testing promise decades of perfectly smooth operation, even with heavy use and minimal maintenance.
How to choose the right 1930s style windows for your home
With many 1930s home designs influenced by the Georgian and late Victorian eras, and others featuring elements popularised in the Arts & Crafts and Art Deco movements, finding the exact right proportions and finishing details to complement your home may be challenging.
At Ayrton Bespoke, we offer a complimentary at-home design consultation to help you fit balanced, appropriate, and genuinely bespoke windows.
Sash vs Casement Windows
While side-hung casement windows were largely considered the norm for new builds during the 1930s, sash windows did not completely disappear. Realistically, either style could fit naturally in a 1930s home, provided that they feature period-accurate proportions and detailing.
Bay Windows, Corner Windows, and Groupings
Many 1930s homes relied on bay windows or groups of windows to create rhythm across the facade. This is true for both homes built around symmetry and those with other architectural influences. Another common 1930s feature was the corner window, fit into horizontal apertures where two walls meet. At Ayrton, we craft authentic window solutions for all configurations.
Glazing Patterns and Decorative Elements
While many 1930s homes are defined by their clean, unadorned glazing layouts, others feature leaded lights, coloured glass accents, or subtle geometric stained-glass motifs. We guide clients to towards designs that feel natural to the home’s style, while meeting their expectations for authenticity, privacy, and light.
Our expert sales team is here to assist with your project. Need an initial estimate? Looking for guidance on your next steps? Want to see our products firsthand? We’re ready to help and show you around our friendly showrooms.
We prefer to conduct a site visit whenever possible to provide thorough and professional advice, covering all London postcodes and beyond. During a visit, our sales team will discuss the scope of work with you and explain Ayrton’s approach, including details about the materials we use, our fitting methods, our factory and business operations. The more questions you have for us the better! We take initial measurements to prepare a precise quotation for you.
If you haven’t already visited one of our showrooms, we encourage you to do so while you consider your quote. Our showrooms are useful spaces to explore our product range and get a feel for what you are investing in. Alternatively, our sales team can share locations of local Ayrton installations for you to inspect, or you can speak directly with one of our clients to hear firsthand about their Ayrton experience.
Following a deposit paid, our work starts with a detailed survey of your property to ensure we design with precision and your windows (or doors) are built to fit their apertures. Once design is agreed, production begins at our factory and our Operations team with an estimated fitting date.
Making your brand-new window or door is only part of the job. Ensuring that the product is fitted precisely and securely is important. All our fitters are Ayrton employees, and it’s their job to make sure that they get that perfect fit with minimum fuss.
Sash windows are traditional vertical sliding windows that have been used in UK architecture since the mid to late 1600s, peaking in popularity during the Georgian era. Traditional box sash windows use a system of pulleys and weights for smooth operation, while modern spiral sash windows use a spring counter-balance system for the same reason.
In contrast, casement windows are hinged and operated using a swinging motion.
We design and craft both box sash and spiral sash windows, depending on your needs. We typically design traditional box (cord-and-weight) sash windows for period or conservation properties, while spiral sash windows are a more popular option for new builds or tighter spaces, for example, bathrooms or dormers. There is a price difference between these styles.
Learn more about the Different Types of Sash Windows
Timber sash windows offer an elegance and authenticity that even the best uPVC alternatives can’t replicate. Bespoke timber windows are painstakingly crafted from natural wood at the hands of skilled artisans—exactly to your specifications—making the eyes of your home something more personal and valuable.
From a less emotional and more practical point of view, high-quality timber windows are sustainable, maintainable and guaranteed to last for decades. Modern material science advancements means we can now make timber windows that are as resistant to rot, warping, and degradation as virtually any alternatives, while still retaining their naturally attractive look.
100% of the timber we use across all our ranges is sourced from sustainably managed and FSC-certified forests. Additionally, we employ strict environmental practices in manufacturing and removals, ensuring minimal waste and efficient use of resources.
Ultra-durable and energy-efficient, we aim to craft bespoke timber windows and doors with an absolutely minimal environmental footprint over their expected lifespan of 60+ years.
While the general condition of the windows will naturally affect your home’s value, well-crafted timber sash windows that operate smoothly, provide excellent energy efficiency, and complement your home’s character are highly sought after among buyers. Whether designed as focal points on new builds or as exact replicas for period homes, investing in bespoke, high-performance sash windows can make your property more attractive, and could help you fetch a higher price on the open market.
We specialise in crafting exact replicas of sash windows for period and protected homes in conservation areas across London. Our team specialises in perfectly duplicating traditional box sash windows, crafting high-performance replacements using original craftsmanship and woodworking techniques. With decades of experience working on protected properties, our team understands how to navigate planning permissions and building regulations, significantly streamlining a process that could otherwise cause delays and/or hidden costs.
Learn more about Building Regulations for Window Replacements
Learn more about Planning Permissions for Windows in London
Yes, they do. In fact, one of the biggest advantages of sash windows is their ability to be opened to any level—the sashes will stay in place, even if there is a strong breeze. Opening both the top and bottom sash creates excellent airflow, allowing warmer air to escape while drawing in cooler air through the bottom opening.
Double-glazed timber sash windows offer excellent insulation and are a good option for those who value energy efficiency. Our double-glazed sash windows have a U-value of 1.2 W/m²K as standard, with the option of upgrading to vacuum glazing with a U-value of 0.7 W/m²K.
with one of the friendly
Ayrton team?
Our team will be happy to answer any questions you might have. Alternatively, why not pop into one of our showrooms to see our products in person, grab a coffee and talk through how to get the best for your home with one of our friendly design team.
