Historic Windows: Defining our Built Heritage

  • Historic Windows: Defining our Built Heritage

  • 26/05/2026

  • 11:00

  • 12:00

  • 1

  • Online

  • Historic windows are a defining feature of our built heritage, contributing not only to the architectural character of buildings but also to their cultural and historical significance. However, they are increasingly under pressure from energy performance demands, modern materials, and inappropriate replacement practices.

    This CPD session explores the balance between conservation and performance, providing practical guidance on how to approach the repair, upgrading, or replacement of traditional windows—particularly timber-framed sash and casement types.

    Across two focused parts, the session will guide participants through:

    • Understanding the significance and evolution of historic windows
    • Applying appropriate repair techniques and interventions
    • Improving performance through draught-proofing, glazing options, and secondary glazing
    • Navigating policy, design decisions, and technical challenges when retrofit or replacement is required

    Importantly, the session emphasises that there is no one-size-fits-all solution—each building, and indeed each window, must be considered on its own merits.

    Speakers info: 

    Laura Millbourn, Chartered Surveyor has over 18 years’ experience in renovating traditionally constructed buildings, mainly in the residential sector, in both London and the Home Counties.   She set up Period Home Projects (PHP) in 2014 to provide a hand-holding service to clients looking for advice and management of building projects focussing on required consents, conservation, repairs and sympathetic updating, remodelling and/or extensions.

    She was a co-convenor of the highly regarded 2024 two-day conference Through the Looking Glass – The Future for Historic Windows and has provided training on the subject to the Welsh Government, London Borough of Westminster and various CPD providers including The Green Register.

    Marianne Suhr MRICS, SPAB Lethaby Scholar

    Marianne is a Chartered Building Surveyor, writer and broadcaster specialising in the repair and retrofit of historic buildings. She co- presented three series of BBC2’s ‘Restoration’ programme and more recently Channel 4’s ‘Restoration of the Year’ with Kevin McCloud.  She has repaired and adapted four houses of her own, and used the experience gained to set up ‘The Old House Consultancy’ which focuses on the repair and retrofit of domestic buildings, especially historic timber frames.

    Marianne lectures extensively on a wide range of subjects and has a special interest in historic windows.   She is a part time senior lecturer at the Cultural Heritage Institute where she teaches practical building conservation on their MSc course. She is the co-founder of the Building Conservation Summer School which is now in its 19th year.  She was co-author of the ‘Old House Handbook’ and ‘Old House Eco Handbook’.

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  • Edel Ryan

  • edel@scsi.ie