Windows in listed buildings: Are PVC windows allowed in a heritage-protected house?
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The key facts at a glance
New windows in a listed building always require approval from the local monument protection authority – even within a protected ensemble.
PVC windows are possible in a listed building if division, glazing bars, visible profile width and colour match the historic appearance.
The BEG subsidy pays a 15 % grant; for listed buildings, a relaxed Uw limit of 1.4 W/(m²K) applies, or 1.6 W/(m²K) with true divided glazing bars.
Salamander myWindow PVC profile systems for old and historic buildings, processed by specialised window companies throughout Germany.
What is a heritage window?
A heritage window is a window whose construction and appearance are based on the historic original of a listed building, while also meeting today’s requirements for thermal insulation and airtightness. Typical features are a sash division true to the original, glazing bars, slim visible profiles and a matching colour. Heritage windows are available in timber, timber-aluminium and PVC – PVC profile systems for historic buildings are offered by Salamander myWindow, for example.
Who decides on new windows in a listed building?
New windows in a listed building are decided on by the local monument protection authority of the town or district, usually in consultation with the state office for monument preservation. In Germany, monument protection is a matter for the federal states: each state has its own monument protection act, and changes to a listed building generally require approval. Even a house that is not individually listed can be part of a protected ensemble – such as a historic town centre or housing estate.
The authority first checks whether the historic windows can be preserved. For new windows, it often prefers the original material, but decides case by case: for housing estates that are protected mainly because of their urban design value, monument conservation may depart from the principle of material authenticity.
What does the monument protection authority look for in a window?
When assessing a window, the monument protection authority focuses mainly on face width, division and glazing bars, surface and colour, the design of the corners, and details such as glass and gaskets.
In detail, this means:
Face width: The authority expects slim profiles with historic proportions. PVC windows can meet this with slim sash variants – at Salamander myWindow, for example, greenEvolution_free with a visible height of just 100 mm.
Division and glazing bars: The sash division should follow the original, and true divided glazing bars are often required instead of imitations. Both can be planned with the profile system – but bear in mind that true divided glazing bars worsen the Uw value by approx. 0.2 W/(m²K).
Surface and colour: Matt surfaces, wood-grain decors and historic colours are usually preferred. PVC windows offer wood-grain and colour decors or through-coloured surfaces such as Greta®Fenster_dinkel.
Corners (mitre joints): The corners should look delicate and unobtrusive. Modern welding technology makes fine, discreet mitre joints possible.
Details: Colour-neutral glass and unobtrusive gaskets and hardware round off the historic look. Ask your specialised window company for samples and technical data.
Tip: Take photos of your existing windows, a dimensioned drawing and, if possible, a profile or colour sample with you to your appointment at the authority.
Do energy-saving requirements also apply to listed buildings?
Energy-saving requirements apply to listed buildings only to a limited extent: under § 105 of the German Building Modernisation Act (called GEG until July 2026), exceptions are permitted if the requirements would impair the fabric or appearance of the monument or would be disproportionately expensive. Anyone who carries out an energy-efficient renovation anyway does so voluntarily – and can take advantage of subsidies and tax benefits.
What subsidies are available in 2026 for windows in listed buildings?
Several funding routes are available for windows in listed buildings – some of them can be combined, others cannot:
BEG individual measures (BAFA): The federal subsidy for individual measures pays a 15 % grant on eligible costs of up to €30,000 per residential unit, or up to €60,000 with an individual renovation roadmap (iSFP) (as of 09/2026). For listed buildings, a relaxed Uw limit of 1.4 W/(m²K) applies, or 1.6 W/(m²K) with true divided glazing bars – compared with 0.95 W/(m²K) for other buildings. You will need an energy efficiency expert in the category “BEG – Wohngebäude Denkmal”, and the application must be submitted before you place the order.
KfW 261 – Effizienzhaus Denkmal: If you are planning a complete renovation to the Effizienzhaus Denkmal standard (efficiency house for listed buildings), KfW offers a loan. It cannot be combined with BEG individual measures for the same project.
Denkmal-AfA (tax depreciation): Owner-occupiers can deduct 9 % of the costs per year for 10 years (§ 10f EStG); landlords can depreciate 9 % per year for eight years and 7 % per year for four years (§ 7i EStG). This requires a certificate from the monument authority, so agree on the work with the authority before it starts.
State and municipal funding: Additional programmes vary by federal state and municipality. The best place to ask is your local monument protection authority.
Windows made from PVC profile systems such as those from Salamander myWindow are eligible for funding if they meet the Uw limit. The subsidy calculator shows you which grants are available for your project, and the energy saving calculator what new windows can save in energy. Our guide Window subsidies in 2026 explains all funding routes in detail.
How much does a window for a listed building cost?
A window for a listed building usually costs more than a standard window because it is custom-made with historic details. Supplier sources quote €500 to €1,500 per unit for a complete replacement; heritage windows are often 50 to 100 % more expensive than standard PVC windows. The price depends mainly on the division, type of glazing bar, special shapes such as round arches, decor and installation in the historic reveal. You get a reliable figure from your specialised window company’s quote – which you need before applying for funding anyway.
Which PVC windows are suitable for listed houses?
PVC windows with slim visible profiles, historic division, glazing bars and colours or wood-grain decors that match the building are suitable for listed houses. Salamander myWindow offers several profile systems for this:
greenEvolution76: Profile system for renovating old buildings – from Gründerzeit-style windows to floor-to-ceiling windows, with glazing bars, five sash variants and decors.
greenEvolution_free: Sash variant developed specifically for historic buildings. With a visible height of 100 mm, it comes close to slim historic proportions, achieves Uw values down to 0.74 W/(m²K) and lets up to 15 % more light into the room than standard windows.
Greta®Fenster_dinkel: The material is coloured through instead of foil-laminated, and dark shades right through to black are possible – an alternative to timber windows in renovation projects.
Case study: Alte Wassermühle Hückelhoven
The listed Alte Wassermühle (old water mill) in Hückelhoven (North Rhine-Westphalia) dates back to 1350 and had warped, single-glazed timber windows. Today it is fitted with windows made from the greenEvolution flex profile system by Salamander myWindow. The historic appearance was preserved, and the thermal insulation value of the windows improved from 2.5–3.0 to 0.73 W/(m²K).
Salamander myWindow manufactures the profile systems; the windows are fabricated and installed by specialised window companies in your region. Whether a system is approved in an individual case is decided solely by the monument protection authority.
How do I go about replacing windows in a listed building?
Clarify the status – ask the local monument protection authority whether the building is a listed monument or part of an ensemble.
Document the existing windows – photograph and measure the windows, and have their preservation assessed.
Involve experts – an energy efficiency expert in the category “BEG – Wohngebäude Denkmal” and a specialised window company.
Apply for approval and funding – both before placing the order.
Carry out and document – keep the approval, invoices and supporting documents.
No, PVC windows are not generally prohibited in listed buildings. Many authorities prefer the original material, but decide on a case-by-case basis. The chances improve if the existing windows are no longer original or if the new window closely matches the historic appearance.
Suitable options are PVC windows with slim visible profiles, historic division, glazing bars and matching colours or wood-grain decors. With greenEvolution_free, Salamander myWindow has developed a sash variant specifically for historic buildings (visible height 100 mm, Uw down to 0.74 W/(m²K)).
Use the specialist retail partner search from Salamander myWindow to find window fabricators near you who process profile systems for old and historic buildings.
Your next step
Would you like to see how new windows with glazing bars will look on your façade before you go to the authority? In the Visualizer, you upload a photo of your house and see the new window directly on your façade. In the window configurator, you put together the division, glazing bars and colour, and the specialist retail partner search helps you find a partner near you. Our guide Replacing windows in old buildings offers general planning tips.
Note: This article does not replace legal or tax advice. The decision of your monument protection authority and the funding conditions valid at the time of application are binding.
