Characterised by their symmetrical layout, uniform sash windows, beautiful brick exterior and decorative door and window surrounds, Georgian homes are coveted by many, and it’s easy to see why. Thick, sturdy walls make for solid foundations, while inside a well-balanced layout with large, light-filled rooms – thanks to plenty of those stunning sash windows – boasting high ceilings and decorative features, such as ceiling roses, are commonplace.
The Georgian period covers around 100 years – the majority of the 18th century – and so it’s likely that you’ll have the opportunity to live in such a desirable property, if period homes appeal to you. Should you find yourself in ownership of such a house then you’ll be aware that upkeep and renovation don’t come easy, but it’s certainly worth it to own such a stunning piece of property.
With this in mind we take a look at three stunning features found in Georgian properties and how to take care of them for a resplendent home that will last for centuries longer.
Sash windows
Featuring multiple floors, Georgian properties are awash with their most discerning external feature – the sash window. The first two floors will benefit from taller windows, while upper storeys will have smaller windows, and dormer rooftop rooms will perhaps boast one or two sash windows. Featuring two sliding frames (sashes) that move vertically within the frame, sash windows are divided into smaller sections by horizontal and vertical dividers, making up multiple panes and creating a beautiful feature.
Over time, sash windows will require restoration to preserve their functionality and charm, but as with a property of this age, you can expect it to be a listed building, and so ensuring that you get help from professional sash window restoration specialists is your best bet to reassure you that any work carried out is completed to the highest standard.
Sash window repair takes many years to master, especially the more complicated tasks that need undertaking, and the tools and materials required for the job aren’t necessarily items you’ll have lying around, so it’s best to leave the work to the professionals for the optimum outcome.
If, of course, you have smaller, simpler jobs such as paint touch ups that you can manage yourself, then it’s best to go ahead and complete these tasks by hand to keep your home looking delightful, inside and out, at all times. Keeping the window panes, dividers and surrounds clean at all times is also important to ensuring these refined features last for years to come, just be sure to enlist the help of a professional window cleaner at least for the upper floor windows.
Front door features
Georgian buildings have a great way of giving the front entrance its own moment to reflect the grandeur and opulence of the era and they achieve this with decorative touches like a portico, a transom window over a panelled door, ornate door handles and, in later years, iron railings leading to the property or surrounding a small front garden.
Kerb appeal matters with such a grand property and so it makes sense to keep these fantastic features in fine condition for your own sense of pride or for those visiting your home.
Iron railings will need regular cleaning and hosing to keep them looking pristine, while touch ups with rust resistant paint will ensure they stay looking great for longer. Ornate door knockers and handles should be cleaned and buffed, while it’s always a good idea to inspect glass panes and your portico for any cracks to ensure they can be fixed before they become an issue.
Internal features
Wall panelling is seeing something of a comeback in recent home interior designs, but Georgian homes will already likely proudly boast this feature. If you’re lucky enough to have original panelling in your home still, then it will surely take some upkeep to preserve it in fine condition, but if you’re looking to install some of your own on bare walls, then you could put a modern twist on the look.
Dado rails, ceiling roses, neo-classical plasterwork which gave way to simpler, cleaner versions later in the period – there are many decorative features that showcase the Georgian interior style and if your period property boasts these features then learning how to maintain them is important. From keeping water away from decorative plaster mouldings and using plaster patching kits to knowing when to enlist professional help to keep these elements looking pristine, it always pays to be informed about your home’s particular needs and keep on top of them so that you have a long-lasting and ever beautiful place to reside.
