The windows you specify for your new build or renovation will have a big impact on the house’s final aesthetic – so it’s worth spending plenty of time on the planning stages to ensure you get this part of your project right.
Buy cheap, buy twice is an apt adage in this market. Poor-quality designs will not only compromise the look, but they’ll also fall down in terms of durability and longevity.
So it’s worth paying extra for a first-class product – and there are options across the board in terms of PVCu, softwood, hardwood and aluminium (plus composites, although we haven’t priced them here).
The standard of the manufacturing process can vary massively, both across the UK and abroad, so make sure you do your research.
In the PVCu sector, for instance, the quality of the blending, extrusion, injection moulding, foil finishing, colour matching and other criteria will all make a significant difference to the lifespan and therefore future maintenance and replacement costs.
Choosing windows for your home? Talk to the experts about your project and learn from their years of experience at Build It Live. Watch live presentations on a variety of topics, such as:
Build It Live takes place twice a year in Kent and Oxfordshire. The next show will be on 4th and 5th February 2023, in Maidstone. Claim a pair of free tickets today and start planning your visit. |
In the first instance, look at the obvious requirements. Does the manufacturer’s warranty extend to at least 10 years, for instance. It’s also important to check if it includes any cover on finishes and fittings.
Do the products carry a BSI Kite Mark and have they been assessed by the British Board of Agrement (BBA)? Is the manufacture and supply carried out under the ISO 9001 quality management system?
Check, too, whether the windows are properly tested in terms of delivering on the performance standards you’re specifying for your project, such as for security (governed by Part Q of the Building Regulations).
There’s a host of considerations to account for when choosing between different frame materials, but here’s a quick guide to the main areas to look at:
The tables below set out typical base prices for the different material types. Naturally, your costs will vary significantly depending on the quality of the unit and specification you go for. These figures are based on a 1,200mm x 1,200mm double-glazed, double-opening casement that would meet Building Regulations.
Material | Window cost (excl. VAT) | Total material costs incl. sundries (0% VAT) | Total window costs incl. fitting (0% VAT) |
---|---|---|---|
PVCu | £250.00 | £302.20 | £389.22 |
Softwood | £520.00 | £580.30 | £677.28 |
Aluminium | £640.00 | £703.90 | £801.97 |
Hardwood | £920.00 | £992.30 | £1,101.40 |
Material | Window cost (excl. VAT) | Total material costs incl. sundries (20% VAT) | Total window cost incl. fitting (20% VAT) |
---|---|---|---|
PVCu | £250.00 | £324.96 | £440.89 |
Softwood | £520.00 | £658.68 | £786.56 |
Aluminium | £640.00 | £807.00 | £936.19 |
Hardwood | £920.00 | £1,153.08 | £1,295.51 |
Top image: These Idealcombi aluminium-framed Futura+ windows were specified for this contemporary house in Somerset by Orme Architecture