How did CR Smith bring warmth, light and modern performance to this Dunfermline home?
FifeAt a glance:
- Location: Dunfermline, Fife
- Homeowners: Mr & Mrs Wright
- Product: Lorimer casement windows with royal oak timber sills
- U-value: 1.4W/m2K
- Security: PAS 24 multi-point locking system
- Challenge: Dated uPVC windows with poor energy efficiency and a lack of character in internal finishes
- Solution: Reconfigured Lorimer casement windows with slim frames and upgraded royal oak timber sills
- Results:
- Increased natural light throughout the home
- Improved thermal performance and reduced heat loss
- Enhanced functionality with easier-to-operate window designs
- Added warmth and character with natural oak timber sills
- Modernised, streamlines appearance internally and externally
How did CR Smith transform the Wright’s home?
At CR Smith, we believe that every window upgrade is an opportunity to enhance how a home looks, feels and performs day to day. For Mr and Mrs Wright in Dunfermline, their focus was on improving energy efficiency while introducing a warmer, more characterful interior finish.
By upgrading to Lorimer casement windows and incorporating natural timber detailing, their home now benefits from improved comfort, increased natural light, and a refined aesthetic that balances modern design with traditional touches.
Why did the Wrights decide to upgrade their windows?
The property’s original uPVC windows were dated and no longer delivered the level of thermal performance expected in a modern home.
While energy efficiency was a key driver, the Wrights also wanted to enhance the interior feel of their home. The original white engineered sills, although practical, lacked the warmth and depth they were looking for.
After exploring the available timber options from CR Smith, they chose to upgrade to royal oak timber sills, introducing a natural, premium finish that adds both texture and character throughout the home.
What changes were made to the living room windows?
In the living room, the original window featured a three-part equally split design, with a fixed central pane and tilt and turn openers on either side. While functional, the couple found they only used the left hand window, would prefer more glass.
For the upgrade, a large fixed pane was styled with a side-hinged casement window, with a top-hinged hopper, providing greater flexibility when it comes to ventilation.
This new configuration has helped open up the space, allowing more natural light to flood into the room and provides clearer, uninterrupted views of the garden beyond.
The slim frames of Lorimer casement windows further enhance this effect, creating a brighter living room, and sun trap for the house plants!
How did the bedroom window upgrade improve functionality?
In the bedroom, the original setup consisted of two large tilt-and-turn windows positioned side by side. While practical in theory, their size made them heavier to operate and increased strain on the hinges over time.
With support from their local CR Smith product expert, the Wrights chose to reconfigure this into a three-part, equally split design, featuring a fixed central pane with two side-opening casement windows. This change has made everyday use much easier, as the smaller openers are lighter and more manageable, while also reducing pressure on the hardware.
Visually, the new configuration creates a more balanced and streamlined look. This is further enhanced by the slim frames of the Lorimer windows, which increase the amount of natural light entering the room.
To complement this, a royal oak timber sill was introduced, adding warmth and depth to the bedroom and tying in seamlessly with the rest of the home’s interior finishes.
How does the craftsmanship of CR Smith enhance the final finish?
A key part of the transformation lies not only in the product itself, but in how it is installed and finished.
At CR Smith, all installations are carried out by employed joiners, ensuring a consistently high standard of workmanship on every project. This level of control allows for a more precise, considered finish throughout the home.
For the Wrights, this is particularly evident in the detailing of the timber sills. Each apron and sill is hand-scribed by skilled joiners creating a tailored fit that enhances the overall appearance.
This handcrafted approach adds a unique, premium touch to every installation, elevating the natural beauty of the royal oak finish and ensuring it complements the character of the home perfectly.
How do Lorimer windows enhance light and design?
One of the defining features of Lorimer casement windows is their slim-frame design, which maximises the glazed area without compromising strength or thermal performance.
In the Wright home, more natural light now flows into each room, creating a brighter and more inviting atmosphere. The streamlined appearance of the frames also contributes to a modern aesthetic, while still working harmoniously with the traditional timber finishes.
What impact did the transformation have on the home?
This upgrade demonstrates how thoughtful window design can enhance both the performance and character of a home.
By combining improved configurations, high-performance glazing and premium timber finishes, the Wrights have created a space that feels warmer, brighter and easier to live in. The addition of natural oak detailing brings a timeless quality to the interiors, while the updated window layout maximises light and improves everyday usability.
The Wrights commented on their new windows and timbers, stating:
“Absolutely delighted with the new windows. Lots of lovely comments about how nice the oak sills look and the slim frames.”
Before and after
Before, the window was split into three sections, interrupting the views to the garden beyond.
After, the large fixed pane has created an uninterrupted view to the garden, while the new casement configuration to the left has increased ventilation options and ease of use.