How much does it cost to double glaze a house UK?
Or How much should I spend on replacement windows?
There are many good reasons why homeowners buy new windows and doors. A lot of the time it’s because they are a necessity to replace older failing units. But maybe it’s just to make your property look more desirable before putting it on the market.
Whatever the reason, doing a bit of prior research on double glazing prices is a prudent move. Having an understanding of the average prices in the current market can really help in getting you on the right track to a good deal.
So, just how much do new windows cost?
You can find new windows prices ranging from as little as £100 and running all the way up to over £1,500 for a single unit.
- Average sized Casement window prices range from £250 to £500
- Average sized Tilt & Turn window prices range from £400 to £605
- Average sized Sash window prices range from £250 to £500
However, how much you should pay is going to depend greatly on a few key factors – not least of which is your own personal budget:
- The style of window (Sash / Casement / French etc.).
- The size of the window.
- The material used for the frames (Aluminium / UPVC / Timber).
- The energy efficiency of the windows (A-rated / B-rated etc.).
- The size of the order (multiple windows work out cheaper than single windows)
Here is a quick example of how much you might have to pay to double glaze a house can quickly go up, depending on what you are looking for: (See our article What is Double Glazing).
Type of window or frame material with average single window prices
- Casement window in UPVC: £100 – £500 per window.
- Sash window using any material: Will cost 35% to 50% more than casement windows.
- Tilt & Turn or Tilt & Slide UPVC: Can cost up to 25% more than casement windows.
- Aluminium frames: Up to 25% more than using UPVC frames.
- Hardwood frames: 25% to 45% more than using UPVC frames
There are more features that can still make a small difference to the price, such as how many openers in the unit, but we feel these are the main things to think about first.
Here we hope to give you a better understanding of why prices vary so much in order to help you in comparing the average price of double glazing online.
What are the main window styles?
1Casement Windows
One of the most popular types of windows in the UK, seen in almost every style of house, a casement window swings open outwards on hinges mounted at the sides.
You can get different versions of casement windows that swing open from the top or bottom.
How much do uPVC casement windows cost?
casement-windows-price-guide
2Sash Windows
Most often seen in older or period style homes, however, more modern homes are using this style of late. This style is easily identified because it slides up & down vertically to open or close.
The window is basically in two sections, top & bottom. Most often the bottom section slides on the inner side of the frame, the top on the outer side. If only 1 sash moves it’s known a “single hung”, if both move it’s called “double hung”.
The moving sashes slide within the outer frame inside guide tracks. The weight of the frames is counterbalanced either by tension “springs” or counterweights hidden inside the main outer frame.
Sash windows are probably the costliest type of window due mainly to the more complex design and counterweight mechanisms that are built into the frames – you can expect them to cost around 50% more than an equivalent sized casement window.
How much do uPVC sash windows cost?
sash-window-price-guide
3Tilt and Turn Windows
Another design that is easily recognised by the way it functions.
Swinging open like a casement window, but only inwards, the main window can also be set to “tilt” inwards which gives a very good amount of ventilation in a secure way.
Once again, the complex mechanism that need to be built into the frames to allow the windows to tilt or turn is reflected in the prices. On average, you can expect a tilt and turn unit to cost 25% more than an equivalent sized casement window.
Average tilt and turn windows prices
tilt-turn-windows-price-guide
Fitting cost for a single window can be as much as £150, depending on the size. However, if you are having multiple windows fitted at the same time in a single order, then you can expect the fitting costs to work out much cheaper per window.
4French Windows
French Windows are really just smaller versions of French Doors. They work in exactly the same way.
Consisting of a matched pair of casement windows fitted side by side in a single frame, swinging on side fitted hinges, they can either open in or out.
French windows are generally costlier when compared to the same sized casement window, in the region of 20% to 25% more per window.
How much do uPVC French windows cost?
french-windows-price-guide
How much does it cost to double glaze a house UK?
Although there are occasions when you need to replace a single window, many homeowners are considering doing the whole house at the same time.
In this case, you are surely going to want to know how much does it cost to double glaze a house?
Below you will find a set of price guides. But as we mentioned earlier, there are a lot of factors that can impact on the final cost, so please bear that in mind.
How much do new windows cost UK?
Prices are for guidance only, vary by supplier and availability – get a written quote for accurate prices.
For example, Using the guide above you can get a good idea of roughly how much is double glazing for a 3-bed house.
A standard sized 3-bed semi might have 3 windows at the front, one at the side and another 3 or 4 at the back. So you may need 8 windows in total which should cost somewhere between £3,500 to £4,500.
However, if you want to add a new front and back door, you should budget an extra £500 to £1,000 for the front and about £500 for the back door.
How does the material used in the frames impact the average cost of replacing your windows?
The choice of material for the window frames themselves is definitely going to impact on the cost of the job. So, deciding which way to go is seriously worth considering beforehand.
The cheapest new windows are going to be timber, usually pine. However, softwood window frames are notorious for needing very high levels of maintenance.
This need to be “well looked after” has both a significant monetary and time cost over the life of the window. If you don’t look after softwood windows, they can fail very quickly due to shrinkage, expansion, paint peeling, wood rot, fungus, insect attack etc. etc.
Hardwood or engineered timber windows last a lot longer and need far less “TLC”. However, the initial costs are higher – this can be viewed as being offset by an extended lifespan and way lower maintenance costs.
UPVC windows are very popular in the UK due to their relatively lower up-front cost, excellent energy efficiency and long lifespan. There are literally hundreds & hundreds of installers across the UK offering upvc double glazed windows and this competition also helps to keep the prices stable – depending on the size & style, you could get a replacement UPVC casement window for £100 to £150.
Aluminium windows had a rough start, with poor designs, problems with heat loss and a drab grey colour. However, things have changed a lot over the years. Modern aluminium double glazed windows are sleek and stylish as well as strong and energy efficient.
As a metal that conducts heat easily, aluminium double glazing has to feature what is known as an internal “thermal break”. This ensures that heat transfer (or cold) is effectively stopped from radiating from the inside of the window to the outside (and vice versa).
Aluminium windows are usually more expensive than UPVC or softwood, but roughly about the same cost as hardwood.
How much do replacement windows cost?
In terms of what is the cheapest double glazing, based on a casement window sized about 60cm x 100cm you can expect to pay:
- White UPVC windows prices range from £250 to £500
- Hardwood windows prices range from £700 to £900
- Aluminium windows prices range from £450 to £600
How does energy efficiency effect the cost of double glazing?
New or replacement windows are graded so that consumers can see how energy efficient they are.
Each unit should have a Window Energy Rating (WER) label that shows the effectiveness and has a rating.
The label is colour coded and also gives a ranking of A++ for the best, down to G for the worst.
To get a AA+ rating on your double glazing, your windows are likely to need 28mm thick gas filled glazing units that have Low-e solar coatings.
As you might have guessed by now, all these energy efficiency “tweaks” cost extra. In short, a B-rated window is going to cost less than an A++ rated window.
See more on ratings here: https://www.bfrc.org/ratings
How does personalisation effect the cost of double glazing?
Most online prices that you see will likely be based on having a basic or standard window fitted as part of a bigger contract. Sometimes the prices may also be for supply only.
That means that, if you want anything other than the standard B or C rated white window, you need to pay for “optional extras”
Coloured UPVC windows can cost anything from 10% to 20% more than plain white – as can adding a woodgrain effect finish.
Window makers usually add a small charge for each section of the window that you want to be able to open & close.
Higher quality window handles, and locks come with a cost.
Using patterned, leaded, coloured, or frosted glass can be charged for, as can upgrading to toughened or laminated glass.
To illustrate our point here is a simple comparison:
A white UPVC double glazed window with no cill, clear glass, fixed panes (non-opening) can be found from £117.00
However, an Oak wood grain finish UPVC window with a 150mm ×30mm cill, frosted glass, one opening window with silver handles can cost from £170 – that’s almost half as much again on top of the basic cost.
In short, the best thing to do (in fact the only sensible thing to do) is to get your home measured and surveyed by a reputable double glazing contractor. Once that is done you will get a written quotation based on the survey detailing the exact works to be done and how much it all will cost.
Final thoughts
Hopefully, our article has given you several ways to answer the original question, which was “How much should I pay for double glazed windows?”.
As you can now understand, the amount of choice you have when it comes to buying double glazed windows makes for a diverse range of prices.
However, one thing remains the same when you are going to install new double glazing. You are recommended to work with contractors or companies that are registered and accredited via a “Competent Person Scheme”.
There are a few simple reasons for this advice:
- New windows & doors are covered by UK building regulations and must be certified that they meet these standards. Accredited installers will issue you with a certificate of compliance. If an installer can’t do this, you personally will have to arrange for inspection & certification of the work. Costing you more time, inconvenience, and money.
- Installers who are members of Trade Associations that offer competence schemes are vetted for quality of work. Both upon application and annually thereafter.
- Working with members of trade associations like FENSA, CERTASS, GGF, DGCOS, can mean you get elements of increased consumer protection. This may not be available to you from non-members.
