Sash window colours & style

[pdg87]

I've finally had new windows preliminarily approved for my Grade II listed 1800 stone built Georgian house. I've got a couple of decisions I need to make, one is what colour to finish the windows in and the other is the configuration of the glazing in the rear windows.

Firstly the front windows of the property are 8 over 8 sash (1000 x 1600mm) windows and will be replaced with the same. The rear however are smaller (900 x 1100mm) and are part of a later extension, they are currently 2 over 2 and not sash, I am planning to replace them with 2 over 2 sash windows. Does this sound okay or should I look into getting a smaller pane configuration that would match the front windows more? Two window companies have said front and back don't necessarily have to match and no rooms have a front and rear window in them, so it wouldn't look off in that sense.

Secondly, I'm trying to decide on a colour to finish all of the windows in. they are all currently white. I have some photos from the 1970's which show a green sash boxes with cream/off-white sashes/glazing bars. My Conservation Officer has hinted on trying something similar, Whilst I think this could look good, I'm dubious as the house is in a row of 5 terraces in the centre of the village and they all have white windows. He has said I cant use White, but I think he means 'brilliant white'. I'm leaning to suggesting an off-white/cream for the windows.

If anyone has had similar experience or has any suggestions on the configuration or colour choices would be much appreciated

 

[plasticpigeon]

I'm no expert on Georgian but the two tone look with dark boxes and light sashes I believe is a more modern trend. My house from 1900 was originally painted in this scheme and I think it looks great, and I am recreating it, but I have a feeling it might not suit an earlier house. I believe traditional colours in that era were colours that didn't draw attention to the glazing bars such as dark green or brown or purple, but don't quote me on that. This is the effect that Nigel Watts on this forum has pursued and I think it looks really good. I think white looks nice too, but as you say not brilliant white. I've used lead white by little green paints which I think is a nice off white. It is a bit cream but also a bit grey or green I think, not sure but it is off white and not too sickly looking.

 

[pdg87]

Thanks for the response plasticpigeon, and yes I have the same understanding that the two tone would have been a much later addition, so I was a little surprised when the CO said I should maybe go for it.. but I guess he was thinking it has some historic relevance? I've read about and witnessed the greens/browns and apart from not liking them personally, I think it would look weird having one for the 5 terraced houses in the block have such a contrasting coloured windows.

Great thanks for the info on the off white colour, will look into that.

 

[plasticpigeon]

Have a look at Nigel's house to get an idea of how a differently painted house fits into a terrace.

http://www.periodproperty.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13273

 

[88v8]

No, no need to match front & back.
Our previous house had casements in front and box sashes to the side and rear.

I like two-tone.
This was Country Cream and Light Brunswick Green.

As you can see from that slightly faded, dusty, look, I first painted it in lead, and the (iron) stack pipe was not repainted for twenty years. When I repainted the wood, the safety crackpots had made lead vanish, so I used Sikkens AZ.

I would not use dark colours on a south face, and perhaps not on the west. The sun will fry it. Cream and white, cream and yellow, perhaps.

Ivor

 

[pdg87]

Thanks for the replies and photos Ivor, a great help.

 

[PeterI]

I found this piece by Patrick Baty http://www.scribd.com/doc/11349303/The-Colour-of-Chelsea where he talks about colours used for windows (see page 4) he says a true white was usually unobtainable and a creamy off white was used (often called "stone" in contemporary texts)

 

[pdg87]

Interesting read, thanks Peter