Window openings are often changed as part of wider renovation work, but sometimes the reason is much simpler. A room may feel dark, the existing window might look too small or the layout of the property may have changed over the years.
From the pavement, the job can look fairly straightforward. The reality is usually hidden behind the brickwork. Older houses in particular can contain all sorts of surprises, from previous alterations to construction methods that are no longer commonly used.
We’ve come across openings that had already been modified decades earlier and others where the original brickwork was still untouched. Until the wall is properly assessed, it’s difficult to know exactly what lies behind it.
Removing brickwork changes the way weight is carried above an opening, so it’s important to understand what is there before making changes. Sometimes only a small alteration is needed. On other projects, the opening ends up looking very different by the time the work is complete.
The end result should feel natural to the property. When it’s done well, most people wouldn’t know the opening had ever been altered.
