Traditional Shopfront Joinery - Atkinson Joiners Ltd

Serving Barnard Castle and the surrounding area for over 60 years.

Traditional Shopfront Joinery in Barnard Castle

We repair and restore traditional timber shopfronts for commercial properties across Barnard Castle and Teesdale. From a single damaged column to a full shopfront replacement on a listed building, we make the details right rather than replacing them with something easier.

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The original details, reproduced properly

A lot of shopfront work gets done with modern mouldings because they're easier to source. We don't work that way. Turned columns, dental moulding, period glazing bars and canopy profiles are reproduced to match what was there — not replaced with a contemporary substitute that doesn't belong.

From a single repair to a complete replacement

Some shopfront projects involve one damaged element. Others are a full replacement of the entire frontage. We work across both ends of that range, and everything in between. The scope is led by what the building actually needs.

Listed building consent drawings included where required

Shopfronts on listed buildings require consent before work begins. We produce the technical drawings and documentation needed as part of the job — not as an extra. We're used to what the planning process requires for this type of work in Teesdale.

Repair or Full Replacement

Not every shopfront project requires a full replacement. In many cases, the majority of the structure is sound and only specific elements need attention.

Typical repair work includes:

Replacing rotted or damaged sections of frame or stallriser

Renewing a single column or pilaster while retaining the rest

Repairing or replacing damaged canopy sections

Replacing a door or window within an existing frame

Renewing glazing bars or mouldings where they've deteriorated

Where more extensive deterioration means a full replacement makes more sense than repeated repairs, we can design and manufacture a replacement frontage that matches the original in character and detail.

We'll give you an honest view of which approach suits the condition of the building before any work is agreed.

What Traditional Shopfront Joinery Involves

A traditional timber shopfront is made up of several elements — the fascia, pilasters or columns, stallriser, glazing, door and any canopy or moulding above the window. On older commercial buildings in Barnard Castle and across Teesdale, these elements were often built with details that are no longer produced commercially.

When a section of a traditional shopfront deteriorates or is damaged, the instinct in modern refurbishment is often to replace it with something contemporary. The result can look entirely out of place — particularly on a period building or in a conservation area.

We take a different approach. We work from what's there, reproduce what needs reproducing and repair what can be saved.

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The Details That Matter

The character of a traditional shopfront comes from its details. Turned columns with fluted decoration. Dental moulding above the fascia. A canopy profile that matches the building above it. Glazing bars in the original arrangement.

These details are what make the difference between a shopfront that looks right and one that clearly doesn't.

We have the tools and the experience to reproduce them properly. Our workshop has a long Wadkin lathe capable of producing turned columns, and we hold a large range of profile cutters — many originally made to match mouldings from buildings in this area. Where a profile isn't in our existing stock, we can have cutters made to reproduce it.

Past shopfront work has included:

Turned and fluted columns made to match the originals
Dental moulding above windows, reproduced to the original profile
Canopy mouldings replicated using custom profile cutters
Full stallrisers and framing in traditional hardwood
Replacement doors and windows within existing shopfront frames
Heritage double glazed units replacing original float glass

Working on Listed Shopfronts

Many traditional shopfronts in Barnard Castle and the surrounding towns are on listed buildings or within conservation areas. This brings planning requirements that affect how the work is specified and what materials and details are acceptable.

For this type of work, we produce scale drawings and cross-section details as part of the project. These show the profile, dimensions and construction of the replacement elements and are used to support a listed building consent or conservation area application.

We've carried out this process on shopfronts in the town and are familiar with what's typically required. Where planning permission is needed, we can advise on the documentation before work begins.

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Materials

The timber used for shopfront work depends on the building and the requirements of the project.

Hardwoods such as Utile are commonly used for traditional shopfront joinery. They hold detail well in turned and moulded work, are durable in an external setting and have the weight and character that suits a period building.

For elements where Accoya's stability is an advantage — door frames and window frames in particular — we'll use it where appropriate and where it's acceptable under any planning conditions that apply.

We don't use uPVC or composite materials on traditional shopfronts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a traditional shopfront restoration typically involve?

It depends on the condition of the existing frontage. A typical project might involve replacing deteriorated sections of frame, renewing one or more columns, fitting a new door or window, and repairing or reproducing any moulded details that have been lost or damaged. Some projects cover just one or two elements. Others involve a complete rebuild of the frontage to match the original design.

Can you repair a shopfront rather than replacing it entirely?

Yes, and we'd always look at repair first. If the main structure is sound, replacing only the sections that have deteriorated is often more practical and more sympathetic to the building than a full replacement. We'll assess the condition of the existing frontage and give you a clear view of what repair can achieve before recommending a full replacement.

Does a shopfront on a listed building need consent before work starts?

Yes, in most cases. Listed building consent is usually required for any work that alters the external appearance of a listed building — including repair and replacement of shopfront elements, even on a like-for-like basis. For shopfronts in a conservation area, consent may also be needed. We can advise on what's likely to apply and produce the drawings needed for an application.

Can you reproduce turned columns and architectural details?

Yes. We have a long Wadkin lathe in our workshop capable of producing turned columns, and we hold a large range of profile cutters for moulded details. Where the original profile isn't in our existing stock, we can have cutters made to match it. Turned columns, fluted pilasters, dental moulding and canopy profiles are all work we've done previously.

What timber do you use for traditional shopfronts?

Hardwoods such as Utile are our usual choice for traditional shopfront joinery. They work well for turned and moulded elements, are durable externally and suit the character of a period building. For door and window frames within the shopfront, Accoya may be used where its stability is an advantage and where it's acceptable under any planning conditions that apply.

Can you replace the glazing in a traditional shopfront?

Yes. We work with our regular glazing suppliers to source appropriate units — including heritage-style double glazed units for listed buildings and conservation areas where standard double glazing wouldn't be acceptable. Where the original was single glazed float glass, heritage units can replace it while improving thermal performance without significantly altering the appearance.

Do you work on shopfronts in active commercial premises?

Yes. We're used to working on commercial properties that need to remain operational where possible. The practicalities of access and phasing will depend on the scope of the project, and we'll discuss this with you at the outset so the work causes as little disruption as possible.