Windows
Georgian windows: uPVC Georgian bar options
Short answer
Georgian bars divide a window into a grid of smaller panes, recreating the look of traditional multi-pane windows. On uPVC windows they come in two main types: bars fitted inside the sealed unit, between the panes of glass, or bars bonded to the outside of the glass for a more authentic, raised look. We supply and fit uPVC casement and sash style windows with either option.
What Georgian bars are
Before large panes of glass were affordable, windows were made from many small panes held in timber glazing bars. Georgian bars recreate that grid on a modern double glazed window. The name comes from the Georgian era, when six-over-six sash windows were common, but the bars are used on homes of many ages.
The grid can follow a classic pattern, such as six or nine panes per sash, or a simpler layout of two or four panes. Bars can run across the whole window or only the top lights.
Internal bars or stuck-on astragal bars
Internal Georgian bars sit inside the double glazed unit, between the two panes. The glass on both faces is flat, so the window is as easy to clean as a plain one, and the bars never collect dirt. The look is neat, though flatter than a traditional window.
Astragal bars are bonded to the outer face of the glass, and often the inner face too, with a spacer bar inside the unit lined up behind them. From the street they look like real glazing bars with depth and shadow, which is why they are preferred on period fronts and in conservation-minded settings.
| Internal bars | Flat glass both sides, easiest to clean, neat but flatter look |
|---|---|
| Astragal (stuck-on) bars | Raised profile and shadow lines, closest to traditional glazing bars |
Which homes suit Georgian bars
Georgian bars suit Georgian and Regency style houses, Victorian and Edwardian terraces that originally had multi-pane sashes, cottages, and many newer homes built in a traditional style. They can look out of place on a plain modern house, so it is worth looking at what the neighbouring houses and the original windows had.
If your home is in a conservation area, the pattern and type of bar may matter to the council. Our conservation area windows page explains what officers usually look for.
Casement and sash style windows
On uPVC casement windows, bars are set out on each opening and fixed pane so the grid lines up across the window. On sash style windows, the classic arrangement is a grid in each sash, such as six over six or two over two, which gives the most traditional look of all. Our sash windows page covers that style in more detail.
Cleaning and maintenance
Internal bars need no extra cleaning at all. Astragal bars add edges on the glass, so cleaning takes a little longer, but a soft cloth and warm soapy water are all they need. Avoid abrasive pads and solvent cleaners on the bars and frames.
Colours
Bars are made to match the frame, whether white, a solid colour or a woodgrain finish. Dual colour frames can have bars that match each side, so the outside reads as a coloured, traditional window while the room side stays white.
Common questions
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