Your Guide to uPVC Double Glazed Windows
Prices & Designs
Believe it or not, your choice of window not only plays a major role in how your home looks and feels, but also impacts your household bills. A good choice will make your home more enjoyable and comfortable to live in, whilst helping to keep down the running costs.
Whether you are building your dream home or just renovating an existing house, your choice of windows will carry a lot of weight, especially if are looking to add more value to your property.
Many UK homeowners, however, may not be aware of the different variations in window designs that are available in the market and the different benefits each type carries.
UPVC windows are the primary choice for new or replacement windows. Many property owners seem to be preferring them over windows made from aluminum or timber for a number of reasons.
So, to assist anyone who may be considering installing new double glazed windows on their property, here is a buyers’ guide to everything you need to know about UPVC window design & cost, in order to help you make the right decision for your home.
Why are UPVC double glazed windows so popular?
In order to understand the properties and benefits of UPVC double glazed windows, let’s look at some of their primary features.
These are windows made from combining one or more sealed double glazed units to form the window which are then mounted into a UPVC outer frame.
The outer frame is constructed using multi-chambered UPVC profiles which are welded together at the corners and often internally reinforced with galvanised steel.
The combination of the internal chambers, steel reinforcing and uPVC frame itself provides for low heat transfer, high strength and long lifespan respectively.
Once you fit good quality double glazed units to the window, you end up with an installation that is going to be very energy efficient, super strong and lasts for decades.
If that was not enough to put uPVC double glazed windows at the top of the list, then the fact that they cost less than hardwood or aluminium windows is surely another great reason to choose them.
How much do UPVC Double Glazed Windows Cost?
The phrase “cheap double glazing”, and we mean that in a good way, is one that can most often be used when buying UPVC windows. UPVC windows prices are some of the lowest in the market and continually come in significantly lower than those for both aluminium or hardwood windows.
To give you a general idea of the price differences, here are a few examples of the cost per house type:
Terraced house or flat 4 to 6 windows: (casement, remove old & install new)
- UPVC: £2,200 – £2,800
- Aluminium: £2,400 – £3,000
- Hardwood: £3,200 – £3,500
3-bedroom house 8 to 12 windows:
- UPVC: £4,500 – £6,800
- Aluminium: £5,000 – £8,000
- Hardwood: £7,000 – £10,000
4-bedroom house 12 to 16 windows:
- UPVC: £7,500 – £9,000
- Aluminium: £8,000 – £10,000
- Hardwood: £12,000 – £13,500
As you can see from the comparison, UPVC double glazed windows prices are lower across the board and the price difference to hardwood can be quite significant. Here there are more tips on how to find lower prices.
What are The benefits of installing UPVC double glazed windows?
- Keeps the home warm in winter
Double glazing adds a very efficient form of insulation. During winter, double glazed windows prevent the house from losing a lot of heat.
- Keep the home cool in summer:
The same way by which double glazed windows protect the home from losing heat during winter, in summer they prevent outside heat from entering the home.
- Energy saving
Since double glazed windows act to prevent heat loss during winter and heat gain during summer, a considerable amount of energy is saved as the home will no longer need as much use of heaters in winter or cooling systems in summer. This significantly lessens home energy bills.
- Acoustic properties
Double glazed windows have incredible acoustic properties that improve sound quality in the house. They minimize the amount of outside noise that enters the home and prevents inside sounds from being transmitted outside of the house.
- Security
Double glazed windows provide much better security as compared to the standard single pane windows. Two panes of glass are logically more difficult to break than a single pane.
- Reduced condensation
Double glazed windows reduce the amount of moisture on the window panes, thereby reducing the rate of mold and mildew formation.
What are the main designs for UPVC double glazed windows?
One of the advantages of using UPVC is that you can easily come up with your own custom designs that go with your taste and what you want for your home. Some popular UPVC window designs that you can choose from include:
- Casement Windows
- Tilt and Turn Casement or Sash
- Flush Sash or Casement
- French & Bifold Window
- Bay & Bow Windows
- Box Sash Windows
How much do the different types of UPVC double glazed windows cost?
There are several factors that influence the price for double glazed windows namely: material, size, and design. As we discovered previously, UPVC (as the main material to use in the window frames) is much cheaper than hardwood or aluminium.
Let’s look at the design features and costs of installing the 2 most popular types of UPVC windows; Casement and Sash.
UPVC Casement Windows – Prices & Features
The UPVC casement window style is probably the most often fitted to homes in the UK because it is such a versatile design, being suitable for use in almost any type of property.
The most common installation is to have the window open outwards via side mounted hinges. Very often seen in a combination of 1 side opener, 1 top opener and 1 fixed section.
The top openers are sometimes referred to as “top lights”, but they are actually Awning casement windows.
Awning casements always open from the top (best to open outwards) and Hopper casements open from the bottom (best fitted to open inwards).
Options include:
- Double or Triple Glazing – toughened or lamented glass optional extra’s.
- Coloured, pattern, leaded or stained glass.
- Coloured frames + wood-grain effect.
- Multi-point locks, locking handles.
- Internal window beading.
- Georgian bars (mullioned windows).
- Tilt & Turn Versions
How much do UPVC Casement windows cost?
| Size & Style | Frame | Price Guide |
|---|---|---|
| One Opener Casement: 600mm x 900mm | White uPVC | from £200 |
| 1200mm x 1200mm | White uPVC | from £300 |
| 940mm x 1600mm | White uPVC | from £450 |
| 3 bedroom semi, up to 10 units | White uPVC | from £4,500 + |
UPVC Sash Windows – Prices & Features
The classic vertical sliding Sash window can be seen in town & country homes all over the UK. Broadly speaking, the Sash window gained favour in the UK during the Edwardian, Georgian and Victorian periods, still but persist as a very popular product in modern homes.
The Sash operates by sliding up or down on side tracks set within a single frame, with the weight of the moving section being taken up by counterweights hidden within the side of the window frame. The window is connected to the counterweight by a “sash cord” that runs over a pully.
The window itself is made of 2 panels, top & bottom. Installations can have either just the bottom section movable, and are called single hung, or both sections can be made movable when they are called double hung. The bottom section will be on the inner track and the top on the outer track.
Older versions just had a simple catch in the centre where the sections meet, but these days there are secure locking catches fitted alongside movement restrictors and sash locks.
UPVC Sash windows can offer slimmer frames than timber by using “spring-loaded” tensioners instead of the traditional rope & weight.
A more recent development is the Tilt & Turn Sash window which has specialised tracks that allow the window to be easily disconnected from the counter balance and swung inward like a regular window.
Options include:
- Double or Triple Glazing – toughened or lamented glass optional extra’s.
- Coloured, pattern, leaded or stained glass.
- Coloured frames + wood-grain effect.
- Multi-point locks, locking handles.
- Internal window beading.
- Georgian bars (mullioned windows).
How much do UPVC Sash windows cost?
| Size & Style | Frame | Price Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Vertical Sash: 600mm x 900mm | White uPVC | Starting from around £500 |
| Standard Vertical Sash: 1200mm x 1200mm | White uPVC | Starting from around £600 |
| 3 bed house House Standard Sash Window | White uPVC | Starting from around £7,000 |
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Final Thoughts about UPVC windows.
I think it’s fair to say that most of us look to get the best price we can no matter what we are buying, but with “big ticket” items like home improvements, it becomes even more financially beneficial to be keen on pricing.
If you are “out & out” just looking for cheap double glazing, then UPVC windows surely have to be given serious consideration, as is also the case if your priority is excellent value for money.
This broad range of design choice and widespread availability, combined with competitive prices, energy efficiency, security and durability make UPVC double glazed windows one of the more sensible purchases for anyone looking for replacement windows in the UK.
We can help you find some of the best double glazing prices around and arrange quotes for your project from installers all over the UK – just send us a few simple details, then sit back and let us find them for you.
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