Window Buying Guide

Windows are one of the first things that people see when they look at the front of your house and it can be compared to looking a face (the house) and the eyes (the windows).

Just as people can fall in love with another person’s eyes, the windows of your home can be the feature that makes an observer, or even a buyer, appreciate your home even more.

Although the main purpose of windows is to enable light into your home and create atmosphere, there are other factors that you need to bear in mind if you are buying new ones including style, budget, durability, thermal performance and energy efficiency.

The main thing to realise is that although they may seem like an expensive investment, if selected carefully, better quality windows will be better in the long run as not only will they reduce bills and carbon emissions by keeping heat in, they may add comfort and value to your home and they should last a lifetime.

Selecting the Ideal Frame

There are many different types of frame available so here is a quick breakdown of each material:

Timber

Most engineered and solid timber frames are usually made of oak, redwood or Douglas fir and are quite versatile as they can be painted or stained in whatever shade suits you.

Keeping them maintained will ensure that your house remains looking fresh rather than tired and flaky and so it is recommended that all wooden frames are sanded down and repainted or re-stained every five years.

The average cost for a single-glazed timber window is £700.

UPVC

This tends to be quite a popular choice as it is a pretty hassle free option. It is very durable and is sound/draught proof at an affordable price.

Furthermore, they are pretty much maintenance free as most types are wipe clean and do not need painting.

Shop around for neater, compact options available as some frames can be quite prominent and wide which reduces your glass/looking area.

You can also get wood grain finishes for a less plastic look.

The average cost for a single-glazed UPVC window is £300.

Aluminium

Window Buying Guide

This type is ideal for feature windows as they tend to be larger than standard options.

An additional advantage is that they do not rot or rust although they do score poorer than the other options in thermal performance.

The average cost for a single-glazed aluminium window is £550.

Steel or Crittall

These are elegantly slim so that you can have larger pains although it can be prone to condensation.

Steel or Crittall frames were very common for the first three quarters of the last century and are not usually used for renovations.

The average cost for a single-glazed steel window is £350.

Composite frames

These are becoming increasingly popular as they are a practical combination of durable weatherproof aluminium outer with a naturally insulating timber on the inside.

Window Buying Guide

Available Styles and Designs

Fixed casement and awning

This is the typical and most often chosen window style whereby it has one side with a single hinge, either at the side (casement) or on the top (awning).

Box sash

This style is usually found in older Regency, Georgian or Victorian houses and is usually timber framed single glazed windows although you can get ones in UPVC.

Box sash windows tend to be quite expensive to replace as they start at £2000 per average window although if you choose to refurbish a section of an existing window, it will cost you approximately £350.

The windows are operated by a complicated weight, cord and pulley system and so it can be prone to faults which usually require a professional to fix.

Tilt and turn and reversible

These tend to be made of aluminium or UPVC and they can tilt and turn like standard casement windows but can also tilt inwards at the top with the use of specially designed hinges.

You can also get a reversible design which uses a central hinge to swing 180 degrees so that it is easy to clean which is ideal for upper, hard to reach windows.

Roof windows

These are usually made of timber, UPVC or polyurethane and are great for sloping extension ceilings or loft conversions. Prices start from £200 each.

Flat-roof windows and sun tunnels

This option is great to maximise incoming natural light as the higher the angle of light coming in, the more intense it is even if it is just a small flat-roof window.

A sun tunnels costs around £250 and a flat roof window about £350.

Window Buying Guide

Things to Consider

When replacing old windows, you may just need a refurbishment including draught sealing rather than buying all new windows and so you could save yourself some money, improve energy efficiency and retain any historical integrity that the windows are providing.

Many older houses have single glazing panes especially those which have box-sash windows. These can be upgraded to double glazing for approximately £750 per window. Nowadays, double glazing tends to come as standard (especially with UPVC frames) and is widely available although triple glazing is even better as it provides even better sound and heat insulation. These are ideal for buildings with large panes of glass or those which are subject to a lot of noise for example if it is located on a busy road.

If you have a period property, another option to add interest is stained glass especially with front doors. There are many companies that offer bespoke made-to-order designs and you can find them listed on the UK Stained Glass Register which can be found at stainedglassnews.co.uk.

If you want to bring more light into your home, increase the window height (you may need to move the lintel) rather than lowering the sill which will not have much effect.

When looking for window fitting quotes, look for those companies which have a FENSA logo (fensa.org.uk) as this official organisation sets standards and offer customers protection.

Avoid using the same colour on your window frames and exterior walls as this will make it look featureless and uninteresting.

Many windows now have BFRC (British Fenestration Rating Council) ratings which show how energy efficient it is (bfrc.org).

Window Buying Guide