London Sash Windows Cost

✔ The average price of a new sash window in London is around £700 to £800

✔ Repairs of sash windows can cost from £20 to more than £500

✔ Answer the questions in the form above to receive free window quotes

Sash windows are a popular choice, especially in London's traditional Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian houses. But if your old windows are drafty, paying the costs of double glazing could be a good solution.

Replacing old wooden sash windows with double glazed uPVC sash windows allows you to preserve the character and elegance of your home, while overcoming the issues associated with their timber counterparts such as draughts and poor security.

To help you figure out whether sash windows are right for you, check out the guide below, which will explain the cost of uPVC sash windows in London.

Alternatively, you can fill in this form to receive free, tailed quotes for sash windows. Once you've answered a few quick questions, we'll pass on your information to our professional suppliers, who'll then be in touch with their best prices.

What's in this guide?

How much do uPVC sash windows cost in London?

The average cost of a uPVC sash window in London is around £700 to £800, but this will be affected by a number of factors, including:

• The size of the window: the larger a uPVC sash window, the more it will cost
• The type of glass you choose: decorative or stained glass will cost more than clear glass
• The colour and finish of the window frames: coloured or woodgrain effect uPVC will cost around 10% to 15% more than standard white uPVC
• The type of locks and window furniture you choose: opting for extra secure window locks, such as opening restrictors and multi-bolt locks, will increase the price of your window. Choosing chrome, brass or gold window handles instead of standard uPVC ones will also push up the price
• The energy efficiency of the window: new uPVC sash windows typically range in energy efficiency from B to A++, where A++ is the best and most expensive

If you'd like to find out what you might spend on double glazing, which most uPVC sash windows have, our guide on double glazing costs has all the information you'll need.

The table below shows you the typical cost of different sized uPVC sash windows in a white and woodgrain effect finish:

*Prices include installation and VAT

Cost of sash window repairs London: is it worth it?

You may decide to repair your original timber sash windows instead of replacing them. Damage to locks, handles, the frame, windowsill or glass can usually be fixed pretty easily.

If carried out properly, repairs can extend the life of your traditional sash windows by decades, and improve the comfort of your home. But of course, the wood will still need to be cared for regularly.

The table below shows you the estimated cost of some of the most common sash window repairs in London:

Sash window repair prices will be affected by factors such as:

• The size of the window
• The condition of the window and how much work is required
• How easy the window is to access
• Whether the window is made from softwood or hardwood
• Whether the work is being done on an upper or lower sash

Should you repair or replace your wooden sash windows?

While traditional timber sash windows do preserve the elegance and character of a period property, they are hard work and require regular care. Neglected wooden sash windows that haven’t been maintained properly will start to look shabby over time, and no doubt degrade the look of your home.

If you are willing to put the time and effort into caring for your timber sash windows, then paying for small repair work every now and then will be a lot cheaper than completely replacing your windows.

However, if you lead a busy lifestyle or your existing wooden sash windows are old and riddled with problems, it’s much more cost-effective to replace them with low maintenance, uPVC alternatives than pay for frequent repairs or restoration work.

You can see from the table above that many timber window repairs are not that much cheaper than buying new uPVC sash windows, so it is down to you, your circumstances and what is going to end up being the best solution for your home.

Common issues with traditional wooden sash windows

• They let in the cold – Many of the problems with wooden sash windows are down to their design. Traditional sash windows have a 3mm gap between the sashes and the frame to allow the glass panes to slide past each other smoothly – and this gap lets in draughts. This doesn’t just mean higher heating bills, but less comfortable and colder home. Many traditional sash windows are also single glazed, and therefore not as good at keeping the heat inside your home as double glazing.
• They let in noise – Thanks again to that 3mm gap, traditional sash windows also let in plenty of noise – not ideal in a busy city that’s home to 10 million people. In fact, sash windows actually like to make their own contribution to the city soundscape by rattling in their frames when it’s windy.
• They’re hard work – Because traditional sash windows are made of wood, they can be very high maintenance. The frames have to be painted, sanded and varnished regularly, or you can look forward to the wood rotting, splitting and flaking. Although these problems are largely avoidable if you look after your windows, not everyone has the time, funds or inclination to give timber sash windows the care they need.
• They’re insecure – Traditional wooden windows are often single glazed, made up of just 1 pane of glass. Single glazing is a lot easier to break than double or triple glazing, which is reinforced with more panes of glass. Add to that the fact that your windows may lack modern security measures, may have locks that are past their best, and may not quite fit properly due to the wood expanding and contracting over time, they may not be as secure as you would like them to be in a city unfortunately known for its high crime rate.
• They’re dusty – That darn gap again – dust and dirt will come through it, especially when it's windy, and if you’re really unlucky, so will rain.

Why should you choose uPVC sash windows in London?

uPVC sash windows have lots of advantages over their timber counterparts, which can make a big difference to your home in the capital. Here’s a rundown of some of the key benefits of uPVC sash windows:

• Good insulator – uPVC is an excellent insulator, so it will help stop heat from escaping from your home. This will cut your energy bills (as you won’t need to turn on the heating as much), saving you a lot of money. In fact, the Energy Saving Trust estimates that installing A+ rated double glazed sash windows can save you over £100 per year.
• Cut out noise – Because uPVC sash windows are a great insulator, they also help block out unwanted noise from outside. This will make your home a lot quieter – ideal in a busy city, with the sound of traffic, sirens and people 24/7.
• Low maintenance – Because uPVC is a type of plastic, it doesn’t decay, rust or peel, and is unaffected by extreme weather or pollutants. All you need to do is give it a wipe clean every now and then when it looks dirty, making uPVC sash windows a great choice if you lead a busy lifestyle.
• Value for money – uPVC is the cheapest type of window frame material and can be up to half the price of timber windows.
• Durable – uPVC is very strong, and should last between 20 and 35 years.
• Versatile – uPVC is available in a variety of colours and finishes. White is the standard colour, but it also comes in colours such as grey, blue and green. You can also get woodgrain effect uPVC, in finishes like oak, cedar and mahogany. These mimic not only the appearance of wood but its texture too, preserving the character of your period property.

How do you get quotes for London sash windows?

We recommend getting quotes from at least three window installation companies in London. This will allow you to compare prices and get a great deal on your new sash windows.

Before giving you a quote, an installer should always visit your home to assess how any work will affect your property’s structural integrity and appearance. They should also arrange a consultation with you to discuss the exact type of sash windows you want (e.g. what type of glass you want, whether you want coloured or woodgrain uPVC).

All quotes you receive should be in writing and itemised, so you can see exactly what you’re being charged for.

To get a quote for new sash windows in London, just fill in this form and we’ll match you with trusted and qualified window installers in your area. They will contact you to arrange a free home visit and consultation, before providing you with a quote.

All the window installers we work with are registered with one of the Government’s competent person schemes, FENSA or CERTASS. This means they have been vetted and assessed annually to make sure their work is of a high standard and complies with the Government's building regulations.

They are also required to protect your deposit and to offer an insurance backed guarantee, which means that if they go out of business within your guarantee period, your guarantee will still be honoured by their parent scheme.

Alternatives to uPVC sash windows

If you live in a listed building or conservation area, you’ll need planning permission from your local council before you can install new windows. There might be tough restrictions in place which mean you can’t install new uPVC sash windows, however, because they don’t match the historic character of your property or surrounding area.

This often means you’ll be unable to upgrade to double glazing, too (if you don’t already have it).

In these circumstances, you’ll be advised to a) repair your existing wooden sash windows, or b) carry out a like-for-like replacement of your timber sash windows. If you want to improve your windows’ energy efficiency, however, you could consider secondary glazing.

This involves adding an extra pane of glass or plastic onto your existing windows to improve their heat and noise insulation. Unlike double glazing, which would remove a single glazed window and replace it, secondary glazing is simply added to the existing window.

If you're ready to consider all the alternatives to your current windows, just answer a few questions and we'll send you free, bespoke quotes.