What is a renovation window profile?
A renovation profile (Dutch: renovatieprofiel) is first and foremost a PVC or aluminium window frame in which the opening sash sits recessed behind the face of the frame, rather than flush with it. This makes it look more like a traditional timber window than a flat, flush profile. In Dutch building practice the term has two further meanings.
The three meanings
- Window profile with a recessed sash. Also called a block profile, or sometimes a Holland profile. It suits older buildings of character, where a flat profile would look clearly out of place. It is also chosen for new build, because flat PVC profiles can easily look cheap.
- Draught strip for renovation work. A weatherseal able to bridge a wide gap, or to fit the existing routed groove in an old timber frame.
- Stainless steel roof profile. An upstanding inverted T-section in stainless steel forming the junction between old and new roof tiles, a kind of narrow secret gutter.
Application: replacing windows with renovation profiles
- Ask about the profile width. Some manufacturers match the width of older profiles, which means less making good inside and out.
- Compare sightlines. Put a section drawing of the new profile next to the existing frame: how wide do frame, sash and glazing bars read?
- See a sample or reference project. Colour, sheen and the depth of the recess shape the elevation more than a brochure suggests.
- Check local rules first. For listed buildings or in conservation areas, restrictions on materials and profiles may apply. Ask your local authority before ordering.
Application: draught strips
Measure the gap at several points around the sash. Choose a strip that closes the widest gap but still lets the window close easily. Oversized strips strain the hinges and locking hardware over time.
Related terms
- Block profile
- Window frame
- PVC
- Aluminium in construction
- Airtightness
- Renovation
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