Harlow · Essex
Aluminium Windows in Harlow
Old aluminium or steel windows in Harlow that stream with condensation can be replaced with thermally broken frames and modern double or triple glazing.
- CM17
- CM18
- CM19
- CM20
- Guide from £925
About steel look aluminium windows in Harlow
Aluminium windows are fabricated to order: profiles are cut, coated, assembled and glazed to the survey sizes. Lead times can be longer than for standard white uPVC, particularly for special colours or steel-look designs, and the expected timescale is confirmed in writing when you accept the quote.
The price of aluminium windows depends on the size and number of frames, the profile system, opening sashes, colour and finish, glass specification and access. Dual colours, special finishes, glazing bars and triple glazing add cost. See the guide prices for typical ranges, and the written quote fixes your figure.
In England, a replacement window in an existing home should achieve a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K or better, or a Window Energy Rating of band B, under Approved Document L. Thermally broken aluminium with low-E double glazing can meet this; ask for the certified whole-window figure, not just the glass value.
Modern aluminium window frames contain a thermal break: strips of low-conductivity material, usually polyamide, that separate the inner and outer aluminium. Without it, heat passes straight through the metal. Older aluminium windows made without thermal breaks are a common cause of cold frames and streaming condensation.
Included as standard
- Written guarantee terms and advice on building regulations sign-off
- Sealed double or triple glazed units to specification
- Fitting, sealing and finishing the reveals neatly
- Thermally broken aluminium frames powder coated to order
Harlow at a glance
- Postcodes covered
- CM17, CM18, CM19, CM20 and the surrounding area, including Hoddesdon, Bishops Stortford and Waltham Abbey
- Coast
- Harlow is well inland, around 38 km from the nearest coast, so salt exposure is not usually a factor.
- Daylight and sun
- In Harlow the midwinter sun reaches about 15° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.5 hours of daylight, rising to about 62° and 16.5 hours in midsummer. Slim aluminium frames let more daylight through the same opening. Large south or west-facing panes can overheat rooms, so solar-control glass may help, while north-facing rooms benefit from high light-transmission low-E glass that keeps heat in during short winter days.
- Access and setting
- Large aluminium units are heavy, so city jobs need planned unloading, parking and sometimes lifting gear or extra hands for upper floors. Flats need freeholder consent and planning permission, and conservation areas often control frame colour and glazing bar patterns.
- Rules in England
- Approved Document K requires safety glass in critical locations in England: glazing in doors and in side panels within 300 mm of a door, up to 1500 mm above floor level, and any glazing in walls or partitions up to 800 mm above floor level.
Guide prices in Harlow
| Typical job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Casement window, 900 × 1050 mm | £925 – £1,195 |
| Casement window, 1200 × 1200 mm | £1,095 – £1,395 |
| Large window, 1800 × 1500 mm | £1,495 – £1,995 |
| Slimline heritage style, 1200 × 1200 mm | £1,295 – £1,695 |
Get a guide price for your size
Approved Document F covers ventilation. Replacing windows should not leave a room with worse background ventilation than before, which is why replacement windows often include trickle vents.
Choosing your aluminium windows
Flush casement
Sashes sit level with the outer frame for a clean, timber-like look, often chosen for period-style or contemporary homes.
Steel-look windows
Very slim frames with glazing bars that mimic traditional metal windows, adding thermal performance and double glazing to the classic look.
Glass upgrades
Triple glazing, laminated acoustic glass, solar-control coatings or obscure glass, chosen per window to suit the room and elevation.
Aluminium Windows in Harlow: questions
Are aluminium windows secure?
Aluminium windows can be very secure, because the metal is strong and the frames carry multi-point locks, internal glazing beads and lockable handles. For easily accessible windows in new homes in England, Approved Document Q expects PAS 24 security. Asking for windows tested to that standard is a good benchmark when replacing ground-floor windows in an existing home.
Can aluminium windows replace original steel windows?
Yes, steel-look aluminium windows are designed for this. They copy the slim frames and glazing bars of old metal windows while adding double glazing and a thermal break. Original steel frames are often set into the masonry, so removal can disturb render or plaster, and the survey checks this. Listed buildings and conservation areas may need consent first.
Do I need permission to replace windows with aluminium?
In England, replacing windows on a house with ones of similar appearance usually does not need planning permission, but changing the material or style can matter. Flats and maisonettes lack permitted development rights for windows, and listed buildings, conservation areas and Article 4 directions can require consent. Building regulations apply to replacement windows across the UK, with different detail in each nation.
Are aluminium windows better than uPVC?
Neither is better for every home; they suit different priorities. Aluminium gives slimmer frames, larger glass areas, a hard-wearing powder-coated finish and a wide colour choice. uPVC usually costs less and has chunkier frames. Both can meet the energy standard for replacement windows when specified correctly, so compare the certified ratings, the look you want and the guide prices.
Do you cover Harlow for aluminium windows?
Yes. We can quote for aluminium windows across Harlow and the surrounding Essex area, including postcode districts CM17, CM18, CM19 and CM20, and nearby Hoddesdon, Bishops Stortford and Waltham Abbey. Start with your postcode on the quote form and a glazier will arrange a free survey before giving you a written quote.
Get a written quote in Harlow
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.