As with our entrance door, we’ve battled with the best way to approach  window (janela) replacement at Casa Grande. Currently the entire house has some 27 windows to replace including the marquise windows / doors, new building work we have planned and the barn and out-buildings.

Window replacement in hardwood was always our first choice (fulfilling our romantic desire to keep the renovation sympathetic and authentic) but it is clear now that replacing all our windows in hardwood simply isn’t an option for us.  The cost would be far too high and we cannot justify this just to tick the asthetic box. We have to be realistic (as hard as it is to accept) but our budget isn’t bottomles by any means and we have 101 other projects that need to be realised too.

We also had the best of intentions to make our own windows, but again, too many other things to do as well. We can’t justify the time this would take us at this stage in the renovation. Plus wood is very expensive and difficult to source.

As we mentioned in a previous post, we have six shallow arched top windows in the main house. These will be the first replacements we’ll make so that we can close up and weather-proof the main casa. We’ve opted to replace them with a very authentic looking PVCu window with a rich woodgrain detail finish, inside and out.

The arches and surrounds

The windows will have their shallow arches squared and infilled with matching profile panels. This is a much more realistic option for us to help keep costs in check. Bending PVCu or wood for window arches is expensive. We’ve seen other renovations where this has been done (not having the window frames arched) and when done right, it actually looks really good.

We are also simplifiying the overall window design, opting for full height side openings for each window. This keeps the amount of PVCu profile to a minimum, allowing the maximum amount of light in; something we need to do in the front of the house especially as it doesn’t get as much daylight as the back.

The five arched windows all have red brick surrounds as does the main entrance door. A common improvement style used when the main Casa Grande we see today was built in 1938.

This date is referenced in it’s pagan pentagon symbol scratched into the render above the entrance doors.

Whilst this brick surround style is common here in central Portugal, for me they are not the best looking and I’m not wild about the red brick colour.

It’s a personal thing?

Like and Share