Before replacing everything, let us look at what can be saved. On an older structure, sound wood can be restored, original profiles reproduced and single glazing replaced with discreet double glazing. You keep the character — mouldings, glazing bars, arches — and regain the insulation and sealing of modern joinery.
Restoring is not random repair: it is a diagnosis followed by precise work. Here is what we assess and treat on older joinery.
Glazing bars, muntins, mouldings, arches and transoms: we record the old profiles and remake them like for like. The structure keeps its original reading, a requirement for listed buildings and protected neighbourhoods.
Three routes depending on the condition of the wood: an added secondary glazing, replacing the glazing in the preserved frame, or a new wood window with the old profiles. We choose the solution that insulates without betraying the window.
Wood in good condition is sanded, treated against fungus and insects, then protected. Degraded parts are cut out and filled with resin or grafted with new wood of the same species.
Fitting perimeter seals, reworking rebates and water deflectors, draining the frames: we remove draughts and infiltration without changing the exterior look.
Microporous paint or stain applied in the original tone, validated with the Heritage Department when the property is protected. The result stays faithful to the period window.
For a listed monument or a protected site, AWaP (Wallonia) or urban.brussels impose requirements: species, sections, glazing, colours. We handle the paperwork and adapt the work.
* Indicative values and steps: the restoration is defined after a diagnosis of the wood and, where applicable, the agreement of the Heritage Department. Each old window is a special case — specified during the survey.
Preserving old joinery makes a lot of sense, but not in every case. Here, honestly, is when restoration is the right call and when a new window is better.
Restoration comes into its own as soon as an old window has value — aesthetic, heritage or regulatory. A few typical situations:
On a listed monument or in a protected zone, free replacement is forbidden. We restore and reproduce the original profiles, in agreement with the heritage authorities.
When the original wood is a fine species and still sound, restoring it and fitting double glazing costs less and keeps more charm than a replacement.
A mansion, an Art Deco house, an older building: keeping the period windows preserves the unity and value of the property, while gaining comfort.
When restoration is no longer worthwhile, a new wood window reproduces the old style with current performance. And for zero exterior upkeep, wood-aluminium keeps the wood inside, aluminium outside.
On a listed mansion house in Namur, replacement was ruled out by the heritage authorities. We cut out and grafted the degraded parts, reproduced two missing glazing bars like for like and replaced the single glazing with slim double glazing in the original rebates. The windows regained their character and real insulation.
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« Nous avons fait appel à Wendows pour le remplacement de nos châssis et nous sommes très satisfait de notre choix. Qualité et suivi de chantier au top ! »
« Ik heb via WEndows een raam aangekocht van 2m x 2m. Mijn algemene ervaring is goed. Zeer goeie communicatie, altijs zeer snelle reactie bij een vraag of opmerking. Het installatie team werkte ook zeer efficient. Tevreden van het eindresultaat! Bedankt WEndows »
Restore the old wood, choose a new wood window in period style or switch to maintenance-free wood-aluminium: each has its ground. Compare before deciding.
| Critère | Wood restorationVous êtes ici | New wood windowVoir la gamme → | Wood-aluminiumVoir la gamme → |
|---|---|---|---|
| Respect for the old structure | Total — like for like | Very good, reproduced | Good on the inside |
| Listed / protected property | Often the only route | Subject to requirements | Rarely permitted |
| Insulation (Uw) | Good, capped | Excellent | Excellent |
| Indicative price | €€ — by condition | €€€ — custom-made | €€€€ — premium |
| Future maintenance | Stain to redo | Stain to redo | Almost none (aluminium outside) |
| Project duration | Longer (artisanal) | Standard | Standard |
| Ideal for | Heritage, sound wood | Character + performance | Durability without upkeep |
When the wood can no longer be saved, a new wood window reproduces the old style with current performance and a full warranty.
See the new wood →Wood on the inside, aluminium outside: all the character, with no paint or stain to redo on the exterior.
Discover wood-aluminium →The wood window type in detail: opening leaves, tilt-and-turn and configurations suited to a renovation.
See wood windows →The heart of thermal renovation: understand the Ug values to move from single to double glazing in an old frame.
Choose your glazing →Arches, transoms, oversized dimensions: any old window can be remade to measure, to the millimetre.
See custom windows →An overview of our windows & joinery in Belgium: materials, glazing, fitting and grants on a single page.
Back to the windows guide →The price depends on the condition of the wood, the extent of the reproduction and the glazing solution chosen. Here are some pointers for fitted restoration, finish included.
See the detailed restoration prices →* Indicative ranges per restored window, excluding specific heritage cases. A costed estimate is provided after diagnosis, with your free quote.
It all depends on the condition of the wood and the value of the window. If the wood is sound and the character worthwhile, restoring and upgrading to double glazing often costs less and keeps more charm. If the frame is rotten deep down, a new wood window becomes more cost-effective. We decide after an on-site diagnosis.
Yes, by three routes: a secondary glazing added to the existing leaf, replacing the glazing in the preserved frame when the rebate allows, or a new window with the original profiles. We choose according to the thickness of the wood and the heritage constraints.
On a listed monument or a protected site, free replacement is forbidden. Like-for-like restoration is generally the only permitted route. AWaP in Wallonia or urban.brussels in Brussels set the requirements (species, sections, glazing, colours); we handle the authorisation paperwork for you.
Yes. We record the existing profiles — glazing bars, muntins, mouldings, arches, transoms — and remake them like for like in joinery. The structure keeps its original reading, as required for listed buildings and protected neighbourhoods.
Sound wood is preserved, sanded and treated. Degraded areas are cut out then filled with epoxy resin or grafted with new wood of the same species. We replace only what can no longer be saved, to keep as many original elements as possible.
A restoration that improves performance qualifies, depending on your region and income, for a renovation grant and 6% VAT on homes over ten years old. Listed properties may also benefit from specific heritage aid. We check your eligibility and handle the paperwork.
On-site wood diagnosis, heritage grants calculated, a single point of contact. Describe your project in under a minute.