If you have just been quoted £800 per window by a national installer and your neighbour paid considerably less for the same job, the gap is real. uPVC window prices vary sharply in the UK, and the reason comes down to where the quote originates, not what the product is actually worth.
This guide breaks down the cost of new windows across every common style and frame material, what drives the price up or down, and how supply-only buyers typically save 40 to 60% compared to the national double glazing brands.
What Is the Average Cost of uPVC Windows in the UK?
There is no single standard price for a uPVC window in the UK because size, window style, glass specification, frame colour, and frame material all shift the figure. That said, there are useful benchmarks to work from when budgeting for window replacement.
| Window Type | Supply and Fit (National Installer) | Supply Only (e.g. WSD) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard casement (600 x 900mm) | £500 – £900 | From £92.42 + VAT |
| Larger casement (1200 x 1050mm) | £700 – £1,200 | From £180 – £280 + VAT |
| Tilt and turn window | £600 – £1,100 | From £200 – £350 + VAT |
| uPVC sash window | £900 – £1,600 | From £400 – £650 + VAT |
| Bow or bay window (3-pane) | £1,800 – £3,500 | From £700 – £1,400 + VAT |
| Sliding windows | £600 – £1,100 | From £200 – £380 + VAT |
Note: Supply-and-fit prices include survey, installation, waste removal, and brand overhead. Supply-only prices are product cost only. You arrange installation separately.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace All Windows in a House?
For a typical three-bedroom semi-detached property with eight to ten windows, rough cost ranges for a full window replacement are:
- Supply and fit (national installer): £5,000 – £10,000+
- Supply only with a local fitter: £1,500 – £3,500 for windows, plus approximately £100 – £200 per window for installation cost
- Supply only and self-install: £1,500 – £3,500 for windows alone
The difference between those figures is not product quality. It is the business model sitting behind the quote.
Why Are Double Glazing Quotes So High?
This is the question that brings a lot of people to supply-only suppliers. The short answer: you are not just paying for the window.
When you get a double glazing quote from Everest, Anglian, Safestyle, or any equivalent national brand, the price covers:
- Showroom costs: they maintain a national network of physical premises
- Sales visits: a surveyor comes to your home, often on commission
- Sales commission structures: the person quoting you has a financial incentive to hold the price
- Marketing spend: television advertising and sponsorship does not come cheap
- Extended warranties and aftercare teams: all built into the margin
- Financing and credit infrastructure
None of those costs exist in a supply-only model. WSD orders windows direct from UK manufacturers and ships them to your door. No showroom. No sales visit. No personal details required to get a price.
That is where the 40 to 60% saving comes from. The window itself is often identical in specification to what a national installer would supply.
Window Styles and How They Affect Cost
Window style is one of the biggest variables in the overall cost of new windows. Here is how the most common types compare.
Casement Windows
Standard casement windows are the most common and most affordable style. The sash overlaps the frame and the window opens on a hinge. uPVC casement windows are the default choice for most UK homes: low maintenance, thermally efficient, and available in white uPVC, grey uPVC, and a range of woodgrain finishes. uPVC casement windows typically start at the lower end of the price range for any replacement window project.
Flush Casement Windows
Flush casement windows have a sash that sits level with the frame rather than overlapping it. This gives a cleaner, more contemporary look and suits both modern builds and period properties where a slimmer sightline is preferred. They cost slightly more than standard casements due to the additional manufacturing precision involved.
Tilt and Turn Windows
Tilt and turn windows open in two ways: tilting inward at the top for ventilation, or swinging fully open from the side for cleaning and access. The additional hardware required makes them more expensive than standard casements, but they are a practical choice for upper floors and flats where external cleaning is not possible.
Sash Windows
uPVC sash windows replicate the look of traditional timber sash windows without the maintenance demands. The movable panels slide vertically and suit Georgian and Victorian properties well. Timber sash windows remain the preferred choice in conservation areas or where planning restrictions apply, but uPVC sash windows offer significantly lower upkeep and better thermal efficiency in most cases.
Bay and Bow Windows
Bay windows project outward from the building and typically consist of three or more window units set at angles. Bow windows follow a curved projection. Both styles are architectural features as much as they are functional windows, and the glazing costs reflect the additional complexity of manufacture and installation. A three-panel bay window represents one of the higher-cost window replacement projects for a standard home.
Sliding Windows
Sliding windows open horizontally on a track rather than on a hinge. They are a practical option where restricted external space prevents an outward-opening casement. Glazing costs for sliding windows sit broadly in line with tilt and turn units.
Timber and Timber Casement Windows
Timber windows and timber casement windows are the most expensive option. They are valued for their traditional appearance and can last significantly longer than uPVC if properly maintained. Wooden windows and timber frames require regular upkeep: painting or staining every few years, and susceptibility to moisture if maintenance is neglected. For listed buildings and conservation areas, timber may be the only approved material. For most standard replacement window projects, uPVC delivers better value and minimal maintenance over its lifespan.
Aluminium Windows
Aluminium windows offer a modern aesthetic with slim frames and strong sightlines. They are durable and low maintenance, though they generally have poorer thermal efficiency than uPVC without a thermal break in the frame. Coloured aluminium windows and grey aluminium frames are popular in contemporary new builds. The cost of aluminium windows typically sits above uPVC but below premium timber.
Secondary Glazing
Secondary glazing involves fitting an additional glazed panel to the inside of an existing window rather than replacing it. It is a lower-cost option used primarily in period properties, conservation areas, or listed buildings where full window replacement is not permitted. Thermal efficiency improvements are more modest than for full replacement double glazing but secondary glazing does reduce heat loss and can improve acoustic performance.
Frame Material and How It Affects Windows Cost
Frame material is the second biggest factor after window style when calculating the overall cost of new windows. The four main options for replacement uPVC windows and beyond are:
| Frame Material | Typical Cost Range (per window) | Maintenance | Thermal Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| White uPVC | From £92.42 + VAT (supply only) | Minimal | High |
| Coloured / grey uPVC | 10–15% above white uPVC | Minimal | High |
| Aluminium | £300 – £800+ (supply only) | Low | Moderate (with thermal break) |
| Timber / timber casement | £950+ per frame | High (regular painting) | High if well maintained |
| Composite (uPVC + aluminium) | £400 – £900+ | Low | High |
uPVC windows are the most popular choice in the UK due to their combination of affordability, low maintenance, and thermal efficiency. Coloured uPVC windows, including grey uPVC windows and woodgrain finishes, carry a modest premium over white uPVC but remain significantly cheaper than timber or aluminium alternatives.
What Affects the Cost of New uPVC Windows?
Window Size
Made-to-measure means the price scales with the glass area and overall window size. A small bathroom window costs considerably less than a large living room picture window of the same specification. When comparing quotes, check whether you are being quoted for the same dimensions.
Frame Colour
Standard white uPVC is the cheapest option. Grey uPVC windows and woodgrain finishes may add 10 to 15% to the unit price. Anthracite grey, in particular, commands a premium across most product ranges due to the additional manufacturing process involved in producing coloured uPVC frames.
Glass Specification and Glazing Costs
Double glazing is standard for replacement uPVC windows in the UK and meets Part L Building Regulations at a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K or better. Triple glazing improves thermal performance further, with triple glazing costs reflecting the additional weight and glass panes involved. U-values for triple glazed windows typically sit around 1.1 to 1.2 W/m²K compared to 1.3 to 1.4 for standard double glazed windows.
Specialist glazing types, such as low-E, toughened, laminated, or obscure glass, affect both energy efficiency and the final cost. Upgrading to a higher-specification glass unit is often worth considering on north-facing or exposed elevations where heat loss is a greater factor.
Number of Windows
The number of windows being replaced in a single order affects the overall cost per unit. Ordering all the windows for a full house in a single batch typically reduces per-window pricing from any supplier, including WSD. It also reduces the installation cost if using a local fitter, who may offer a better day rate for a larger job.
Installation Cost
Installation cost for double glazed windows typically accounts for 20 to 40% of the total project cost when using a supply-and-fit company. In a supply-only model, you control this cost directly by choosing your own window fitters or fitting the windows yourself. Labour for window installation from a local fitter typically runs at £100 to £200 per window depending on access, location, and window size.
U-Values vs Window Energy Rating: What Actually Matters?
The industry has largely moved away from window energy rating labels as the primary metric for thermal performance. U-values are now the standard measure: the lower the number, the better the insulation and the lower the heat loss.
- Standard double glazed windows: U-value approximately 1.3 – 1.4 W/m²K
- High-performance double glazing: U-value approximately 1.2 W/m²K
- Triple glazed windows: U-value approximately 1.1 – 1.2 W/m²K
- Part L Building Regulations minimum for replacement windows: 1.4 W/m²K
A window marketed with a high window energy rating does not automatically have a better U-value than one without. The window energy rating system accounts for solar gain as well as heat loss, which can produce counterintuitive results in some climates. For most UK homes, focusing on U-value is a more reliable guide to thermal efficiency and comfort and energy efficiency over time.
Upgrading older single-glazed windows to new double glazed windows could reduce heat loss through the glass by roughly half, which has a meaningful effect on heating bills over the lifespan of the installation. Upgrading old windows with poor U-values to modern new double glazing or triple glazing delivers more modest but still measurable improvements in thermal efficiency.
Premium materials and higher glass specifications cost more upfront but tend to reduce energy bills over time. Whether the additional outlay on triple glazing is justified depends on the property's location, orientation, and existing insulation levels.
Getting the Right Double Glazing Quote: What to Compare
Double glazing quotes are notoriously difficult to compare. Suppliers structure them in ways that obscure the unit cost and make like-for-like assessment awkward. A useful double glazing cost calculator approach is to break every quote down to a cost per window before comparing. Here is what to check:
- Price per window, not just a total project figure
- Frame material and frame material brand: ask which profile system the window uses
- Glass specification: standard double, enhanced double, or triple glazing, and the stated U-value
- Whether window installation is included, and what that covers (waste removal, making good, sill replacement)
- Whether the quote includes VAT
- Lead time from order to delivery or fitting
- Whether glazing costs include hardware, trickle vents, and any specialist glass panes
When comparing a supply-only quote with a supply-and-fit quote, add the cost of window fitters to get a true like-for-like figure. Even with that addition, supply-only typically comes in significantly lower, particularly when comparing against national installers rather than local window installers.
Supply Only vs Supply and Fit: The Real Cost Difference
To make this concrete, here is a rough comparison for replacing eight windows in a three-bed semi:
| National Installer (Supply and Fit) | WSD Supply Only + Local Fitter | |
|---|---|---|
| Windows (8 units) | Included in total | Approx. £1,400 – £2,200 + VAT |
| Window installation (8 windows) | Included in total | Approx. £800 – £1,600 (local fitter) |
| Total estimate | £5,500 – £9,000+ | £2,200 – £3,800 |
| Potential saving | n/a | Up to 50%+ |
Figures are indicative. Actual cost depends on window sizes, specification, number of windows, location, and local fitter rates.
Which Window Frame Material Is Right for Your Home?
The right frame material depends on the property type, planning constraints, and budget. As a general guide:
- Most homes (post-1919 standard construction): white or coloured uPVC windows offer the best combination of price, thermal efficiency, and minimal maintenance.
- Contemporary new builds: grey uPVC windows or aluminium windows suit the slimmer, more architectural aesthetic typical of modern construction.
- Period properties (Victorian, Georgian): flush casement uPVC or timber casement windows depending on whether the property is in a conservation area. Check with the local planning authority before ordering.
- Listed buildings: timber is often the only approved material. Secondary glazing may be required where full replacement is restricted.
- Timber sash windows: suitable for period properties where the sliding sash look is important. uPVC sash windows are a lower-maintenance alternative that may be accepted outside designated conservation areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
For a typical three-bedroom semi with eight to ten windows, supply-only buyers using local window fitters often spend £2,000 to £4,000 in total including installation. Supply-and-fit from a national installer typically runs £5,000 to £10,000 or more for the same property.
Not necessarily. The cheapest supply-only window from a direct manufacturer often uses the same profile systems (Veka Halo, Eurocell, Rehau, Synseal) as those fitted by national installers. The price difference reflects margin and overhead, not product quality. Check the frame material manufacturer and the U-value, not the brand on the van.
Because national installers build showroom costs, sales commission, marketing overhead, and finance margins into every quote. Supply-only removes all of those layers. The same window could realistically be quoted at four times the price through different routes, which is why getting a direct supply-only price is worth doing before committing to any full supply-and-fit quote.
Timber windows last significantly longer than uPVC if properly maintained and are often required in conservation areas and for listed buildings. The higher upfront cost and ongoing maintenance requirements mean they are not the right choice for most standard replacement window projects. For period properties or where planning restrictions apply, timber casement windows or timber sash windows may be the only appropriate option.
Double glazing uses two panes of glass separated by an insulating gas-filled gap. Triple glazing adds a third pane, reducing heat loss further. The average U-value for double glazed windows is around 1.3 to 1.4 W/m²K; for triple glazed windows it is approximately 1.1 to 1.2 W/m²K. Triple glazing costs more and adds weight to the frame, which can affect hardware longevity. For most UK homes, high-performance double glazing with a U-value around 1.2 W/m²K offers a good balance of cost and thermal efficiency.
Replacing old single-glazed windows or poor-performing old windows with new double glazed uPVC windows could improve an EPC rating, reduce heating bills, and make the property more attractive to buyers. In period properties or conservation areas, uPVC may not be the preferred material. Timber or aluminium alternatives are worth considering in those cases.
A supply-only order from WSD includes the complete made-to-measure window unit: window frames, double or triple glazed unit, hardware, and any specified extras such as trickle vents or obscure glass. Delivery to your door is included. Window installation is not included. You arrange that separately, either as a DIY project or through local window fitters.
Price Your Windows Online, Without the Sales CallWSD manufactures and supplies made-to-measure uPVC windows direct to homeowners, local window fitters, and builders across the UK. Transparent pricing online, no personal details required.