A detached family home in Folkestone, Kent, recently fitted with a full set of heritage aluminium windows and doors to replace the original old metal windows and doors throughout. The property had steel windows and doors dating back to the original build, and the homeowner wanted modern double glazed replacements that offered the slimmest possible sightlines and metal window appearance.
The customer explored several options before choosing Newlite. A substantially cheaper quotation was available for the same products from another supplier, but the decision came down to local reputation, the reassurance of dealing with a company close by, and the level of detail we brought to the survey stage. During our initial assessment, we identified issues with some of the existing window openings that none of the other companies quoting on the project had picked up. Left unnoticed, these would have caused additional charges and delays once the installation was underway.
We also arranged for the homeowner to visit with us, our manufacturer showroom and factory, so they could have the confidence not just in Newlite and how we work, but total transparency in who makes our windows and doors. Being able to see and handle the aluminium profiles, glass options and hardware before making a decision gave the homeowner confidence in the product and in the specification.
Front Elevation
The front of the house has been fully reglazed in black heritage aluminium. The ground floor has a large window beneath the brick arch on the left side, with horizontal glazing bars giving the classic Crittall proportions. On the right, the first floor windows are a mix of two and three pane configurations, all with horizontal glazing bars and side hung openers where ventilation is needed.
The front door sits centrally within a stone surround and is a heritage aluminium door in black with horizontal glazing bars and reeded glass. The reeded glass gives privacy to the hallway while still allowing natural light through, and the vertical pattern works well against the horizontal bars. A chrome letterbox and handle finish the door.
Either side of the front door are two round aluminium porthole windows, set within decorative brick surrounds. These are a detail worth mentioning. Most of the companies quoting on this project told the customer that porthole windows could only be done in uPVC. We were able to source them in aluminium, keeping the material consistent across the entire front elevation and avoiding a mix of aluminium and uPVC that would have looked out of place on a property of this quality.
Rear Elevation Heritage Bay with Door
At the rear, we fitted a heritage aluminium bay with a single door and angled side windows, all in the same black powder coated finish. The bay sits on a brick dwarf wall and opens onto the garden.
The door and side panels have horizontal glazing bars that line through across the full width of the bay, keeping the proportions balanced and consistent. The side panels include opening sections for ventilation. From inside, the bay gives a wide view of the garden with the black aluminium framing the view without dominating it.
This is the same approach we used on a similar heritage bay project in Lewes, with careful surveying to ensure every glazing bar lines through across the angled panels, and precise manufacturing to achieve the correct fit within the existing brick opening.
Replacing Crittall with Heritage Aluminium
Many homes across Folkestone, Kent and the wider South East still have original Crittall or steel windows. These single glazed frames were well made and have lasted decades, but they are draughty, cold, prone to condensation and difficult to maintain. The slim steel profiles and horizontal glazing bars are part of the character of these properties, so finding a replacement that preserves the look while improving performance matters.
Heritage aluminium is the closest modern alternative to original steel. The profiles are slim, the glazing bars replicate the proportions of the originals, and the black powder coated finish gives the same appearance from the street. The difference is in the performance. The frames are thermally insulated with a polyamide thermal break, the glass is high performance double glazed with a soft coat low emissivity coating, warm edge spacer bars and argon gas fill, and the doors have toughened safety glass, multipoint locking and high security cylinders.
The result is a home that looks right for its age and style, but is warmer, quieter, more secure and far easier to maintain than the original steel.
Aluminium Porthole Windows
The porthole windows on this project are a good example of how product knowledge and supplier relationships make a difference. Round windows are not a standard item in most aluminium ranges, and several companies told this homeowner they could only be manufactured in uPVC. We sourced them through our aluminium supply chain, keeping the full front elevation in one material with a consistent colour and finish.
It is a small detail, but on a property like this it matters. A pair of white uPVC portholes either side of a black aluminium front door would have been noticeable for the wrong reasons.
Heritage Aluminium Windows and Doors by Newlite. Our Specialism
This Folkestone project involved every window and door on the property. The front, rear, ground floor and first floor were all completed in heritage aluminium with a consistent black finish and matching glazing bar layout. It is the kind of whole house project where getting the survey right at the start, choosing the right products and working with a reliable manufacturer all come together.
We are happy to visit properties across Kent, Sussex and Surrey to discuss heritage aluminium windows and doors, Crittall replacement glazing and steel look windows and doors. Get in touch to arrange a visit or to discuss your project.
