How did CR Smith brighten and modernise this family home?
Discover how the Paterson family transformed their home with anthracite grey windows, French doors, and a composite front door, enhancing style and energy efficiency.
With panoramic views over the town of Crieff in Perthshire and to the countryside beyond, the living room has lots of potential, but the original windows were holding it back. For Mr Everest, the focus was on improving energy efficiency and eliminating draughts, while making the most of the scenery beyond.
By upgrading to Lorimer casement windows and refining the bay window configuration, the result is a noticeably improved outlook and an added benefit of greater heat retention.
The original windows had become tired in appearance and no longer performed efficiently. Draughts were a consistent issue, making the living room feel colder and less comfortable, particularly during the winter months.
Improving thermal performance was the main driver behind the upgrade, ensuring the home retained heat more effectively and provided a more comfortable environment year-round.
The living room features a striking six-part bay window overlooking the town and countryside. Originally, the configuration included two central fixed panes, with additional fixed panes at each side. The panes adjacent to the centre incorporated top-hinged casement hoppers, but the overall layout created visual interruptions of the view, with chunky transoms positioned at eye-level.
In the new design, the configuration has been carefully re-styled. The four central panes now all match, while the outer windows feature top-hinged casement hoppers for ventilation.
This adjustment has removed unnecessary visual breaks, creating a much cleaner sightline through the centre of the bay window. Without transoms interrupting the view, the result is a more open outlook across the town and countryside beyond.
Since the upgrade, the difference in performance has been noticed immediately. Mr Everest noted the change straight away, particularly the absence of draughts, which previously had been present.
The new Lorimer windows provide significantly improved insulation, helping retain heat within the home, creating a more comfortable living space.
While the primary goal of the upgrade was to improve energy efficiency, the aesthetic benefits have also been noticeable.
The slim frame design of Lorimer casement windows increases the glazed area, allowing more natural light to enter the room. This not only brightens the space but also enhances the connection to the outdoors.
Externally, the updated configuration and refined proportions have brought a fresher, more modern look to the facade of the property, demonstrating how performance-led upgrades can also elevate the overall appearance.
This upgrade highlights how thoughtful window design can improve both comfort and how a space is experienced.
By reducing draughts, improving insulation, and refining the bay window layout, Mr Everest now benefits from a home that feels warmer, brighter and more connected to its surroundings. The uninterrupted views and increased natural light have transformed the living room into a more enjoyable and functional space.
Before and after
Before – a tired-looking bay window with poor energy efficiency. Poor configuration of the bay window design interrupts the views.
After – Reconfigured Lorimer casement bay window with streamlined fixed panes and integrated top-hinged casement hopper for improved ventilation and uninterrupted views.