Edwardian windows belong to houses built from about 1901 to 1914 and just after, and their signature is a window split horizontally: a shallow upper section, often with small panes, leaded lights or coloured glass, above a larger clear pane. Many are casements with an opening top light; others are sashes with a small-paned upper sash over a single pane below. Bays, often two storeys high, are common. To replace them well you need to get the height of the top light, the glass in it and the bay detail right. This page covers those choices. For the general styles, see our casement windows and bay windows pages.
What defines an Edwardian window
Edwardian builders drew on the Queen Anne revival and the Arts and Crafts movement. Historic England’s guidance on traditional windows describes the late 19th-century return of small panes and thick glazing bars, especially in upper sashes, and notes that casements remained common in Arts and Crafts houses into the 20th century. Edwardian houses tend to be wider and lighter than Victorian ones, with bigger openings, painted frames, and decoration concentrated in the top lights and front door.
Typical patterns include:
- Top-light casements. A fixed or top-hung top light above side-hung casements, with the transom set well above eye level.
- Small-pane top sash. A sash with six or eight small panes above a single large pane.
- Leaded or coloured top lights. Lead patterns, often diamonds or simple geometric shapes, sometimes with coloured or textured glass.
- Bays. Canted or square bays, often with a gable or small roof, and a window in each face.
Getting the top light right
The top light is where most replacements go wrong. If the transom drops too low, the window looks squat and modern and the horizontal bar crosses your line of sight. On surveys we record the transom height of the original windows, or of matching neighbours, and set the new frames to match. Where you sit or stand regularly, a transom above eye height keeps views clear.
Opening options for the top light include fixed glass (cheaper, slimmer), a top-hung vent for ventilation, or a fan-light style with the top light fixed and side-hung casements below. In bedrooms that rely on the window as a fire escape, the main opening casement below must give a large enough opening; a small top light alone will not do.
Decorative glass in top lights
You have three routes for the glass in an Edwardian top light:
- Small panes with bars. Applied or internal glazing bars dividing the top light into a grid, matching the original pattern. See our Georgian windows page for how bars are set out.
- Leaded designs. Lead strip applied to the glass in a sealed unit, in diamonds, squares or a simple motif. This keeps the unit thermally efficient and easy to clean.
- Coloured or textured glass. Tinted or coloured panels, or textured glass, used alone or with lead. Our decorative glass page explains the options.
If your house still has original stained or leaded top lights, think hard before removing them. Historic England describes surviving historic windows as an irreplaceable resource. Ask us about keeping them: in some cases secondary glazing on the inside protects the original glass and improves comfort without touching the frame.
Wherever glass is low down, for example in a bay that comes close to the floor, the safety glazing rules in Approved Document K apply. Councils such as Richmond summarise the critical locations as glass within 800mm of the floor, glass in doors up to 1500mm, and glass within 300mm of a door up to 1500mm. Glass in those zones must be toughened or laminated.
Edwardian bays
Edwardian bays are often larger than Victorian ones and may rise through two floors with a gable or tiled roof above. Before removing frames, we check whether the bay roof or upper bay is carried partly by the old window frames, and fit structural support where needed. Replacing windows in an existing bay is usually straightforward under permitted development, but the Planning Portal notes that a new bay counts as an extension and may need permission. Matching the transom height across every face of the bay is essential for a tidy result.
Material choices
We do not make timber windows. For Edwardian houses we offer UPVC on the Selecta Advance 70 system, including woodgrain and off-white finishes, and aluminium casements. Slim aluminium frames such as the Reynaers SL68 outward-opening casement suit Arts and Crafts-influenced houses that originally had slender casements. Colour matters too: many Edwardian houses look better in off-white or cream than bright white; see window colours.
Rules to check
- Replacement windows must meet 1.4 W/m²K or band B under Approved Document L.
- Listed buildings need listed building consent for significant works, and conservation areas may have Article 4 Directions. Check with your council.
- Safety glass in critical locations, as above.
Common mistakes
- Dropping the transom to a standard height rather than matching the originals.
- Using a different top-light pattern on each window or each face of the bay.
- Over-decorating: one simple lead pattern repeated across the house looks better than several.
- Throwing away original stained glass without considering whether it can be kept.
Looking after your windows
Clean frames with mild soapy water and glass with a non-abrasive cleaner. Applied lead and bars should be wiped gently, without scourers. Lubricate hinges and locks once a year.
Free survey and quote
We fabricate aluminium windows from £400 at our Fifield workshop near Windsor, with lead times from 10 days and a 10-year guarantee, and cover Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, west Kent and north West Sussex. Call 01753 965 005 or request a quote and we will measure your Edwardian windows and match the top lights properly.
Frequently asked questions
What do Edwardian windows look like?
They are usually split horizontally, with a shallow top light above a larger clear pane. The top light often has small panes, leaded lights or coloured glass. Many are side-hung casements with a top light; others are sashes with a small-paned upper sash over a single pane. Bays, sometimes two storeys high, are common.
Can I get leaded top lights in new double glazing?
Yes. Lead strip can be applied to the glass of a sealed double-glazed unit in diamond, square or simple decorative patterns. This keeps the unit thermally efficient and easy to clean. If the glass sits within 800mm of the floor or in another critical location, it must also be toughened or laminated safety glass.
How high should the transom be on an Edwardian casement?
Match the originals on your house or neighbouring houses wherever possible. As a general guide, the transom should sit above normal standing eye height so it does not cut across your view. We measure existing transom heights on the survey and set every window, including each face of a bay, to line up.
Can I keep my original Edwardian stained glass?
Often yes, and Historic England encourages keeping surviving historic windows. One approach is to leave the original window in place and fit secondary glazing on the inside for comfort. Ask us at survey stage and we will look at the condition of the glass and frames and talk through realistic options.
Is aluminium suitable for an Edwardian house?
It can be, especially on Arts and Crafts-influenced houses that originally had slim casements. Slim aluminium casements give narrow sightlines and can be finished in off-white, cream or heritage colours. On a listed building or where a council requires timber, aluminium may not be accepted, and we do not make timber windows.