Glazing bars & beading options

Glazing bars hark from the Georgian period. In the 18th and early 19th century glass in large sizes or ‘panes’ was very difficult to make and also very expensive. In order to maximise the size of a window, glazing bars were invented. Glazing bars held smaller panes of glass in place, this allowed larger sash windows to be made out of small panes held together with glazing bars. Glazing bars were used extensively throughout the Georgian period and into the Victorian period.

Manufacturing large panes of glass is no longer as difficult or as expensive as it was, in actual fact, it’s now more expensive to make sash windows with smaller panes and use glazing bars to separate them, as opposed to making one large pane of glass.

However many customers still like the appearance which glazing bars give, and in many instances, in Conservation Areas, for example, customers need to match their new windows to their existing windows which have Georgian or Victorian glazing bars.

An astragal glazing bar gives the attractive appearance of a Georgian or Victorian window, divided into multiple panes. But unlike traditional Georgian or Victorian glazing bars, which are integral to the window and set between the panes of glass, astragal glazing bars are fixed to the glass on both the inside and outside, giving the appearance of multiple panes of glass on a single piece of glazing.

Astragal glazing bars are available in a range of styles which can significantly enhance the look your windows and doors and give them the traditional Georgian or Victorian appearance of individual panes. The bars are securely fitted with clips and adhesive pads that have been specifically developed to stick to glass. Astragal glazing bars have an authentic feel, combined with the appearance of individual panes of glass created by back-to-back glazing spacer bars which match the paint colour. This page has more detail on glazing spacer bars.

As a modern-day replacement product, astragal glazing bars are indistinguishable from the original and are the perfect solution for anyone looking for a traditional Georgian or Victorian appearance without multiple window panes – and without the high price that entails.

All of our sliding sash windows, casement windows, French doors, bi-folding doors, and entrance doors can be manufactured with astragal glazing bars.

Timber glazing beading or wood glazing beading is used on the inside of a window or door to hold the glazing inside the frame. Sashed offers a choice of beading in either the ‘Ovolo’ or ‘Lamb’ style, both styles come in various sizes. Choosing beading with bigger dimensions can make your windows look more ‘chunky’, for example, you may want to use thicker beading on casement windows to give it a more country cottage feel. Sliding sash windows tend to suit beading with smaller dimensions, this replicates the delicate and petite feel of the original Georgian or Victorian style windows.

Your beading and glazing bars will always match in style and dimensions regardless if you opt for astragal glazing bars or solid glazing bars.