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Why get double glazing?

  • Save up to £195 per year on energy bills
  • Improve your property's value
  • Reduce outside noise

A Guide to uPVC Double Glazed Windows

uPVC windows are the lowest cost of double glazing options available, but they keep heat from escaping your home just as well as any other design.

And when you keep heat in, you’re not spending as much on your energy bills — which is incredibly important in the ongoing energy crisis.

We’ve put together this guide on uPVC double glazed windows, a popular and affordable type of double glazed windows that can look just as good as wooden frames.

Already set on getting new windows? You can fill in this short form to get started. Simply enter a few details and we’ll pass them on to our trusted suppliers. They’ll get back to you with bespoke window quotes.

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What are uPVC double glazed windows?

UPVC, or Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride, is a low-maintenance plastic material that has a high level of durability when used to frame windows.

The uPVC window's long lifespan and low cost has made it a common sight in homes across the world.

You make uPVC window frames by heating up the plastic material and pouring it into a mould, where it takes shape.

UPVC is also an excellent eco-friendly addition to your property. It has a very low thermal conductivity, which means it reflects heat back into your home.

Timber, on the other hand, has a higher thermal conductivity. As heat from your home radiates towards timber-frame windows, the wood absorbs the heat and then leaks it outside.

How much do uPVC double glazed windows cost?

UPVC double glazed windows cost anywhere from £1,550 to £11,000, usually based on the number of windows. The price per window averages at £300.

If you want to see whether you can get double glazing grants to help subsidise the costs, check out our guide.

Here is a table showing the typical costs depending on the size of your property:

 

Property type Number of windowsCost range for uPVC windows
Flat4–5£1,550-£2,750
Small house8–9£3,300-£4,950
Medium-sized house10–12£4,900-£7,600
Large house15–18£7,200-£11,600

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The different types of uPVC double glazed windows

There are many different types and configurations for uPVC double glazed windows, with numerous styles to choose from.

Here are the best options.

 

Casement windows

Casement windows are the most versatile frames used in UK homes. They have a variety of configurations to suit different properties, so picking casement windows gives you a lot of flexibility.

You can have single, double, or triple glazing in casement windows, depending on the size of the frame.

Also, you can easily install different openers in casement windows, with the ability to open on one side, both sides, from the top, or across the full frame.

This offers loads of different ventilation options, and is one of the reasons casement windows are so popular.

If designed well, the openers on casement windows will have a tight seal for outstanding insulation and energy efficiency.

 

Sash windows

Sash windows are more often than not two windows placed with one behind the other. The two windows usually slide up and down, crossing over each other, but some have one fixed panel, with the other sliding over it.

Another option is tilt and turn sash windows, which let you rotate the windows for easier cleaning access.

Sash windows are among the most popular choices for period properties (especially in London), though they can also add style and value to newer homes.

Older sash windows with wooden frames have a reputation for ageing poorly. Over time, gaps appear in the frame, causing draughts and reducing your home’s insulation.

That’s why uPVC sash windows are a great choice, because the materials don’t deteriorate with age.

 

Bay windows

Bay windows protrude from a building, adding more floor space or a window bay with a deep sill.

They’re among the most popular window choices for Victorian and Edwardian homes, but some people understandably like to install them on new builds.

If you install a bay window at the front of your property, you’ll need planning permission, but a bay window installed at the back of your property, or anywhere beyond streetview, is fine.

 

Rooflight and skylight windows

There are two types of windows you can install on your roof: dormer and skylight windows.

A dormer is a box protruding from the main roof, which creates additional space and usually includes a window.

Skylight windows are built into the design of the original roof, angled to let in the maximum amount of light. They’re perfect for kitchen or dining room extensions, , as well as loft conversions.

Advantages and disadvantages of uPVC double glazed windows

UPVC double glazed windows are a great option for people looking to improve their home’s insulation, but they have their drawbacks.

Here are the main advantages and disadvantages of uPVC double glazed windows.

 

Advantages

 

High durability

UPVC windows are much more durable than timber window frames.

Buying uPVC windows means you’re unlikely to have to replace them for many years. UPVC is a very strong material that won’t warp or lose its shape for at least 20 years.

 

Environmentally friendly

This material is excellent at keeping heat in.

Well-insulated homes use less energy to stay warm, helping reduce your bills and keep your carbon emissions down.

 

Cost effective

As a material, uPVC is much more affordable than wooden frames. Here are the average uPVC and wooden frame costs for different window styles.

 

Window styleUPVCWood
Casement£200 – £900£600 – £1,500
Sash window£700 – £1,100£1,100 – £1,900
Bay window£1,100 – £1,500£1,900 – £2,250

Data from Windows Guide, 2022

 

Fire resistant

UPVC windows have a high level of fire resistance, helping stop the spread of fire where a wooden window frame would simply burn.

Also, uPVC frames keep their shape in the event of a fire, giving occupants of the building an avenue for escape.

 

More secure

Most uPVC double glazed window frames are reinforced with galvanised steel, which makes them incredibly difficult to be broken into or forced open.

 

Disadvantages

 

Lack of customisation

From an aesthetic point of view, uPVC windows have very few customisation options. Despite advancements in how uPVC windows are made, you’re limited to basic textures only.

Also, uPVC windows are not paint-friendly, so you can’t create a defined look for your home.

 

Structural integrity

Even though uPVC windows are durable, their light weight means they’re prone to sagging.

This is where the weight of the window starts to bend the frame, which is far less likely when using materials such as aluminium.

Should you get uPVC double glazed windows?

Yes, you should get uPVC double glazed windows. Their long-lasting design, affordability, and range of styles make them ideal for a whole range of homes.

Even if you’re not looking to save money, uPVC windows are still among the most environmentally friendly window options available, thanks to their top-notch insulating properties.

Next steps

That’s everything you’ll need to know about uPVC windows. So if you’re ready to start searching for window installers, we can help.

You can get the ball rolling by filling in our simple form. Just enter a few details and we’ll put you in touch with our trusted suppliers. Within a short while, they’ll get back to you with a range of bespoke quotes.

Written by:
Tom Gill
Tom joined The Eco Experts over a year ago and has since covered the carbon footprint of the Roman Empire, profiled the world’s largest solar farms, and investigated what a 100% renewable UK would look like. Tom has a particular interest in the global energy market and how it works, including the ongoing semiconductor shortage, the future of hydrogen, and Cornwall's growing lithium industry.
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