Roller shutters replaced with PVC windows at a sixth form college in Hove
Two roller shutters out, new PVC windows in, and more natural light in the room.
The project in short
At a sixth form college in Hove we removed two existing roller shutters and replaced them with new PVC windows. In our post at the time we said it helped bring in more natural light and brighten the space. The photos show a shuttered opening in the brick wall, the new white windows from outside and the finished windows from inside.
Before and after
What changes when a shutter becomes a window
A roller shutter closes an opening off. A window has to let light in, keep the weather out and sit properly in the wall, so the opening needs to be made ready for a frame and the brickwork and walls around it finished both sides.
That is why we treat it as one job rather than a delivery and a fit. You can see the finished result inside in the photos above.
Do you need permission to change windows?
It depends on the building. Brighton and Hove City Council explains that a window or door that changes material or appearance can need planning permission, that listed buildings always need listed building consent, and that in a conservation area with an Article 4 Direction a front or street-facing window can need permission. Read the council's page on planning permission for doors and windows before you book.
Our Hove page lists the conservation areas and Article 4 Directions we know of in Hove.
What to check
| Question to ask | Why it matters | What this job shows |
|---|---|---|
| Does the new window change the look of the building? | A different material or appearance can need planning permission. | The new windows are white PVC set in a brick wall. |
| Is the building listed, or in a conservation area with an Article 4 Direction? | Listed buildings always need listed building consent. Article 4 areas can need permission for street-facing windows. | The photos do not show this. Check with the council before you book. |
| Is it a house, a flat or a commercial building? | The council's rules differ for flats and houses. | This was a college building, not a home. |
Questions we get asked
Do you replace roller shutters with windows?
We did at a sixth form college in Hove, as shown above. If you have shutters you want out of a home or a business, call us and describe the opening.
Do you fit PVC windows in flats and houses?
We fit PVC windows. Planning rules differ for flats, houses and conservation areas, so check the council's page linked above and tell us what you find when you ask for a quote.
Where do you work?
Brighton and Hove, and the wider Sussex area.
What are you planning?
Tell us about the job in a few quick taps. It goes straight to us, not a call centre.