If you own a Victorian terrace, an Edwardian villa, a 1930s semi or anything older — you'll know the headache of replacement windows. Modern uPVC casements look wrong. Timber is gorgeous, expensive and high-maintenance. Aluminium feels too contemporary. So what actually works?
The honest answer in 2026 is that you have two excellent timber-alternative options that genuinely look like the timber windows they replace: Deceuninck Heritage Flush Sash and the Residence Collection R9 / R7 / R2 / RD. We install both routinely across Staffordshire's conservation areas and listed buildings, and the question we get most often is: which one?
The short answer
- Heritage Flush Sash — outstanding period look, A++ thermal performance, accessible price point. Specified across most conservation projects.
- Residence R9 — the gold standard. Hand-finished, 100mm deep, 9-chamber, the most authentic of any timber-alternative on the market. Budget c. 25–40% more than Heritage Flush Sash.
- Residence R2 / R7 — slimmer profiles for shallower reveals, similar aesthetic, slightly more accessible than R9.
- Residence RD — premium 100mm decorative, hand-painted finishes, listed-building level work.
Detail differences that matter
Profile depth
R9 is a 100mm deep profile — closer to original timber dimensions than any other system. Heritage Flush Sash is 70mm. In a deep period reveal, the difference is visible; in a 1930s reveal, less so.
Corner joinery
Both systems use mechanical-jointed corners that replicate traditional timber joinery — rather than the welded mitred corners of standard uPVC. R9 takes this further with hand-finishing of every joint.
Colour palette
Residence offers 23 hand-mixed colours including the famous Eclipse and Heritage Green; Deceuninck offers 26 stock foiled finishes. Both cover the standard heritage palette (Anthracite Grey, Chartwell Green, Cream, Black). Residence wins on bespoke colour matching.
Conservation officer approval rate
In our experience across Staffordshire conservation areas, both systems achieve very high approval rates. R9 occasionally swings borderline cases.
Which should you specify?
For most period homes in Stafford, Stoke, Lichfield and Stone — Heritage Flush Sash delivers 90% of the look at a much more accessible price. If your home is listed, your conservation area is sensitive, or you simply want the very best — R9 is worth the extra investment.
The best way to decide is to see both side by side. We'll bring sample sections to your free home survey — give us a call on 01785 308 226 or request a quote.