Windows, Doors, Conservatories and Glass across West Sussex

Fitting across northern West Sussex since 1972, from Rudgwick and Loxwood through Billingshurst and Horsham to Crawley, Petworth and Midhurst.

Installed by our own FENSA registered team, not subcontractors. Showroom in Guildford, around 15 miles from the Sussex border.

Loxwood and Rudgwick are twelve to fifteen miles from our showroom, closer than Basingstoke and closer than Staines. Petworth and Midhurst share the GU postcode area with us. Horsham, Billingshurst and Crawley are all comfortable trips.

That northern band is where we work, and we would rather tell you that than claim a county we cannot serve properly.

Where we work in West Sussex, and what the housing is like

West Sussex has seven districts and boroughs, no postcode area of its own, and a landscape that runs from a chalk escarpment to a coastal plain. About 40 per cent of it sits inside the South Downs National Park, where the National Park Authority, not your district council, is the planning authority.

Here is where we genuinely work, and what we find there.

Part of West Sussex Towns What the housing is typically like, and how far we are
The Surrey border corner, our closest Rudgwick, Loxwood, Slinfold, Warnham, Alfold Bars Twelve to fifteen miles, straight down the A281. Wealden village stock: timber framed, tile hung Sussex vernacular, listed cottages, alongside modern infill. Closer to us than most of the towns on our Surrey pages
Horsham district Horsham, Billingshurst, Southwater, Storrington, Pulborough, Cowfold, Henfield, Steyning Around 19 to 27 miles. A district of 151,000 people running from Wealden market town to downland village, with substantial modern estate development at Southwater and around Horsham. Part of the district is inside the South Downs National Park and part inside the High Weald National Landscape
Crawley and the Gatwick corridor Crawley, Three Bridges, Pound Hill, Ifield, Maidenbower, Langley Green, Forge Wood, Crawley Down, Copthorne Around 22 miles. Designated a new town in 1947 and built as fourteen neighbourhoods, each with its own colour, from West Green in 1949 to Forge Wood in 2014. A large, consistent stock of 1950s to 1970s houses now on their second generation of glazing, under an active flight path. The largest town in the county at around 118,000
The Petworth and Midhurst edge Petworth, Midhurst, Easebourne, Graffham, Fernhurst Around 20 to 27 miles. GU28 and GU29, the same postcode area as our showroom. Downland villages of flint, brick and thatch, largely inside the South Downs National Park, so the National Park Authority handles the planning
Mid Sussex, the coast and the far west Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, East Grinstead, Chichester, Arundel, Worthing, Littlehampton, Bognor Regis, Shoreham Thirty to forty five miles. Real distance. Chichester is around 35 miles and Worthing further still, and both are well served by installers much nearer than us. We will not claim to be your local company there

Who handles planning if I live in the South Downs National Park?

The South Downs National Park Authority, not your district council. That is the single most important planning fact in West Sussex and almost nobody selling glazing mentions it.

The park was designated in 2010 and became fully operational in 2011. It covers 1,627 square kilometres in total, of which 807 square kilometres are in West Sussex, the largest share of any county, with around 40,000 West Sussex residents living inside it. Roughly 40 per cent of the county sits within the boundary.

It covers parts of Chichester, Horsham and Arun districts. Midhurst, Graffham and Easebourne are in or on the edge of it. Chichester city itself is just outside. It does not cover Crawley, most of Mid Sussex, Worthing or Adur.

If you are inside the boundary, the National Park Authority is your planning authority, and there is more scrutiny of anything visible from outside the property.

Do I need permission to replace my windows in West Sussex?

Usually not. Replacing windows in a house is normally permitted development, and that still applies inside a conservation area or a National Park. It changes if your house is listed, or if the relevant authority has made an Article 4 direction covering your street. Flats and maisonettes are treated differently to houses.

Inside the National Park, the authority is the SDNPA rather than the district. Outside it, it is one of the seven districts and boroughs. We establish which applies to your address at the survey.

Living under the Gatwick flight path

Gatwick is Britain’s second busiest international airport, and it defines the acoustic environment of Crawley and a good deal of Horsham district.

Acoustic glazing uses a wider cavity and, usually, laminated glass with an acoustic interlayer, and it reduces the noise coming through the window. Secondary glazing is often more effective still, because the air gap between the two panes is much wider than anything achievable in a sealed unit. Neither will make an aircraft inaudible, because sound also comes through walls, roofs and vents.

If noise is why you are replacing your windows, tell us at the survey. It changes the specification, and it is not the same one we would recommend purely for heat loss.

Other designations worth knowing

The High Weald National Landscape covers part of Horsham district and Mid Sussex. Chichester Harbour has been a designated National Landscape since 1964, managed by Chichester Harbour Conservancy. And there is essentially no green belt in West Sussex: the Metropolitan Green Belt covers around 20 hectares in Mid Sussex, near Copthorne, and nothing else. Anyone describing West Sussex as green belt country has confused it with Surrey.

  • econdary glazing, which works for both the National Park and aircraft noise
  • Timber and timber alternative flush casements, which sit flush in the frame the way pre war windows did
  • Vertical sliding sash windows in timber, timber alternative or uPVC
  • Acoustic laminated glass in sealed units
  • Heritage colour ranges and traditional ironmongery
white mock sash

Recent installations in West Sussex

Expertise You Can Trust

Proudly serving Surrey since 1972, we’re a family-run glazing company offering quality windows, doors, conservatories, and bespoke glass solutions. Whether you’re upgrading your home’s look with double glazing, choosing a new front door, or planning a unique orangery, our team is here to bring your vision to life.

Why West Sussex homeowners choose Sheerwater Glass

  • We are closer than you think, at the northern end. Loxwood and Rudgwick are twelve to fifteen miles from our showroom, and Petworth and Midhurst share our GU postcode area.
  • Our own installers do the work. FENSA registered, City and Guilds and GQA qualified, employed by us. Nobody is subcontracted, so the person who surveys your house works for the same company as the person who fits it.
  • We know who your planning authority actually is. Inside the South Downs National Park it is the National Park Authority, not your district council, and that changes the process.
  • We take Gatwick noise seriously. If noise is the reason for the job, it changes the specification and we will tell you what actually helps.
  • The guarantee is insurance backed. 10 years on frames, glass and workmanship, underwritten by QA National Warranty, so your cover survives even if we are not here to honour it..
black cortizo panel sliding doors

How long does an installation in West Sussex take?

Around 8 to 10 weeks from order to fitting, and 1 to 2 days on site for most jobs. Here is the whole sequence.

Stage How long
Enquiry to home visit As little as 2 working days
Home visit to quotation 2 working days, up to 5 for specialist items
Order to technical survey Up to 10 working days
Order to installation Generally 8 to 10 weeks
Time on site Typically 1 to 2 days for a full house
Do you need to move out? No. You stay in the house throughout

You get a fitting date when you order, not a window of weeks. If a delivery slips, we call you before you have to call us.

Why quotes are valid for 14 days

Glass manufacturing is heavily energy dependent, so our costs move with energy prices. Rather than pad every quotation against a rise that may not happen, we quote the real number on the day. If it lapses, come back whenever you are ready and we will requote free of charge.

Fitters Installing Black uPVC Slimline windows

Hear from our customers

“Nick from Sheerwater Glass just finished fitting my windows – Great service, quick, efficient and very friendly. Definitely recommend.”

Deborah Proudfoot
Sheerwater Glass Customer

Where is your nearest showroom to West Sussex?

Unit B5, Moorfield Point, 41 Slyfield Industrial Estate, Guildford, GU1 1RU. From the northern end of the county it is a straightforward trip: around 15 miles from Rudgwick and Loxwood, around 20 from Billingshurst, Horsham and Petworth.

From Chichester, Worthing or the coast it is a long way, and we would rather measure and quote at home than have you drive it.

Day Opening hours
Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm
Friday 9am to 4pm
Saturday 9am to 1pm
Sunday and bank holidays Closed
Glass and repairs surgery Tuesday and Thursday 2pm to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm

Planning your next project? Check if we cover your area.

Sheerwater Glass proudly provides window and door installations, repairs, and glazing services throughout Surrey and the surrounding areas from our showroom in Guildford.

To find out whether we cover your area, simply click the button below and check your postcode.

Check your postcode

Sheerwater Glass in West Sussex, at a glance

Detail Answer
Trading since 1972
What we fit in West Sussex Windows, doors, conservatories and orangeries, cut glass and glazing, repairs to any make
Where we work Northern West Sussex primarily: Rudgwick, Loxwood, Slinfold, Warnham, Billingshurst, Horsham, Southwater, Storrington, Pulborough, Crawley, Crawley Down, Copthorne, Petworth, Midhurst and Easebourne. Mid Sussex, Chichester and the coast are at the edge of our range
Postcode areas RH primarily, plus GU28 and GU29 at Petworth and Midhurst. West Sussex has no postcode area of its own, being split between RH, BN, PO and GU
Local authorities West Sussex County Council plus seven districts and boroughs: Adur, Arun, Chichester, Crawley, Horsham, Mid Sussex and Worthing. Inside the South Downs National Park, the National Park Authority is the planning authority
Nearest showroom Unit B5, Moorfield Point, 41 Slyfield Industrial Estate, Guildford, GU1 1RU
Who does the fitting Our own employed installers. FENSA registered, City and Guilds and GQA qualified. We do not subcontract
Accreditations FENSA, Which? Trusted Traders, Checkatrade, TrustMark, ISO 9001
Typical lead time 8 to 10 weeks from order to installation, then 1 to 2 days on site for most jobs
Guarantee 10 years on frames, glass units and workmanship. 5 years on moving parts and hardware. Insurance backed by QA National Warranty
Phone 01932 344 415

Woking: your questions answered

Do you cover the whole of West Sussex?

No, and we would rather say so. We work the northern end properly: Rudgwick, Loxwood, Slinfold, Billingshurst, Horsham, Southwater, Crawley, Petworth and Midhurst. That is where we can give you the service we would want ourselves. Chichester, Worthing, Littlehampton, Bognor and the coast are 34 to 45 miles away and much better served by companies nearer to you. Check your postcode for a definite answer.

Who handles my planning application if I live in the South Downs National Park?

The South Downs National Park Authority, not your district council. The park covers 807 square kilometres of West Sussex, roughly 40 per cent of the county, and around 40,000 West Sussex residents live inside it. It takes in parts of Chichester, Horsham and Arun districts, including Midhurst, Graffham and Easebourne. Chichester city itself is just outside.

Do I need planning permission to replace my windows?

Usually not. Replacing windows in a house is normally permitted development, including inside a conservation area or a National Park. It changes if your house is listed, or if the relevant authority has made an Article 4 direction covering your street. We check the position on your address at the survey, including which authority you actually deal with.

Will new windows help with Gatwick aircraft noise?

They will reduce it, and they will not eliminate it. Acoustic glazing uses a wider cavity and laminated glass with an acoustic interlayer. Secondary glazing is often more effective still, because the air gap between the panes is much wider. Neither will make an aircraft inaudible, because sound comes through walls and roofs as well. If noise is why you are replacing your windows, tell us at the survey.

My house is in Crawley. What do you normally fit?

Slimline uPVC casements and composite front doors, most of the time. Crawley was designated a new town in 1947 and built as fourteen neighbourhoods between 1949 and 2014, so much of the stock is consistent 1950s to 1970s housing with reasonable apertures. A slimline frame gives you noticeably more glass and a better U value in the same opening. Acoustic glazing is worth discussing given the flight path.

Can you work on a Wealden timber framed or tile hung house?

Yes, and it is a lot of what we do at the northern end of the county. For that stock we would normally be looking at timber or timber alternative flush casements, leaded or small pane detailing where the original has it, and heritage colours. Send us a photo of the front elevation and we will tell you what we would do.

Is West Sussex green belt?

Almost none of it. The Metropolitan Green Belt covers around 20 hectares of Mid Sussex near Copthorne and nothing else in the county. What West Sussex has instead is the South Downs National Park, the High Weald National Landscape and Chichester Harbour, which are different designations with different rules.

Can you repair windows and doors another company fitted?

Yes. Misted or blown sealed units, dropped or sticking doors, failed hinges, handles and locks, broken glass, VELUX faults and traditional putty glazing. You do not need to have bought the original installation from us.

Can I buy just one piece of glass?

Yes. We cut glass to order: replacement sealed units, mirrors, splashbacks, shelves, table tops, shower screens, greenhouse glass and safety glass. Bring your measurements to the glass and repairs surgery in Guildford, or send them through the cut glass quote form.

Will I get a FENSA certificate?

Yes, automatically, on every installation that qualifies. You will need it when you sell the house.

Ready to get a quote?

You’ll speak to a real person, not a call centre. We’ll talk you through options, no pressure.