Listed building restoration of bow fronted sash windows

The enquiry simply said "Hi, I have a grade 2* building, with curved sash windows that need taking out of their casements, stripping down, casements needs service and then putting back."

It sounded straightforward and so we booked a date for a survey.

As the pictures show there were some most unexpected challenges lying in wait!

Although we ended up dismantling the outer elements of the two first-floor units due to the masonry that had fallen in amongst the weights - making it impossible to move the sashes let alone take them out of their boxes, the ground floor units were thankfully only painted shut.

As somewhere that Lord Nelson had stayed when not at sea, and with the house named after Emma, Lady Hamilton we were committed to getting these wonderful windows "ship shape" for the family who are long-term owners and with Nelson's last words "Thank God I have done my duty" ringing in my ears I hope that he would consider that we have done ours!

The final two photographs prove that the effort was so worthwhile.