Conservation™ timber windows and doors by Mumford & Wood have been architecturally specified in the restoration of a beautiful 16th century private home in the Breckland area of rural Norfolk.
Known to date back to 1532 the property was originally thatched but tiled around 1880 when a major enlargement was made. The property was being demolished in the early 1950’s following its use by the army during the WWII that had taken its toll and the post war depression had deemed it worthless.
It was during this demolition that the Rectory was purchased privately and the property ‘patched up’. Since then it has been passed down through the generations and now remains in the care of a young professional family. A huge restoration has been undertaken and a large two-storey extension in red brick has been thoughtfully and sympathetically added to one side of the property from front to back. In this new addition Mumford & Wood’s double glazed Conservation™ box sash windows have been installed.
A beautiful Conservation™ French doorset with fixed glazed side panels bathes the generously proportioned hall with light and provides easy access to the attractive landscaped gardens. An open plan, curved timber staircase leads to the galleried landing above, an attractive and open space from which all bedrooms and bathrooms lead off. Here a series of six coordinating side hung Conservation™ casement windows are featured.
“The original property has been restored and many feature elements such as grand, historic fireplaces, have been recovered,” comments the surveyor and homeowner. “Work is still ongoing and, over time, we plan to replace all the single glazed period box sash windows which are attractive but thermally inefficient. Our only choice would be to upgrade with new Mumford & Wood Conservation ™ box sash windows as these are virtually indistinguishable from the originals whilst offering 21st century standards of comfort and performance.” From the front façade, which features six box sash windows, four are the single glazed originals and two are Mumford & Wood Conservation™ double glazed box sash windows which are operated by traditional cords and weights.
“We live in a Conservation area but we had no problem in achieving planning permission for the vision we wanted to create,” continues the homeowner, “and by many standards permission was granted almost immediately. There was no objection to installing double glazed windows or to upgrading the single glazed windows with highly functional and beautifully designed products by Mumford & Wood.
“Both old and new presently sit side by side in the new façade and to us it is a seamless join; visually it is difficult to identify which are which. Who wouldn’t be sympathetic to upgrading the thermal performance of this property when the period features have been retained?”
It is also the family’s intention to replace the modern roof light, which would have once sat above the original staircase and had been boarded over, with a traditionally-styled timber roof lantern.
“My grandfather had great insight when he purchased this property which at that time was half open to the elements and quite uninhabitable. This building has been here for many years and we are proud and privileged to be, as we see it, the guardians of this elegant building for future generations to enjoy.”
Doors and windows in the Conservation™ range form a collection of thermally efficient products with superior aesthetics. A combination of modern manufacturing technology combined with authentic period detailing has earned the brand award-winning status. All products are internally glazed for added security and the new colour match and dual colour paint or stain facility is a popular option. The company uses only high quality, spray-applied, micro-porous finishes that provide durable, low maintenance protection. Manufactured from the finest engineered, clear grade and sustainably sourced timber, Mumford & Wood’s windows and doors have an expected life of between 56-65 years.
Conservation™ products made in accordance with the British Woodworking Federation’s third-party Timber Window Accreditation Scheme achieve exceptional U-values that far exceed the requirements of current Part L Building Regulations’ and are BRE A+ rated. They also carry the BSI Kitemark and are Energy Saving Trust listed, and many products carry Secured by Design accreditation.
