Windows & doors
uPVC Windows
uPVC windows are replacement windows with frames made from unplasticised polyvinyl chloride and sealed double or triple glazed units. They are fitted when existing timber, aluminium or older uPVC windows have become draughty, insecure, hard to open or misted, and the owner wants a frame that never needs painting.
- Guide from £565
- Free survey
- Written quote
- UK-wide
- Free survey for new glazingMeasured on site before anything is made
- Written quoteThe price is fixed for the specification shown
- Every glazing jobGlass, windows, doors and commercial
- UK-wide coverEngland, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
- Guarantee terms in writingSet out with every quote
How our uPVC windows service works
We survey, supply and fit made-to-measure uPVC windows for houses, flats and rental properties across the UK. A glazier measures every opening, checks the brickwork, sills and support above each window, and talks you through frame colour, glass, opening style and locks. You then get a written quote that fixes the price for the specification shown. The windows are manufactured to those sizes, and on fitting day our glaziers remove the old frames, install and pack the new ones, seal them inside and out, and make good the reveals. Building regulations apply to replacement windows across the UK and the detail differs between nations, so we explain how your installation will be approved before work starts.
What's included
- Survey and measurement of every opening
- Removal and disposal of the old windows
- Made-to-measure frames with sealed double glazed units
- Fitting, packing and fixing into the existing opening
- Sealing inside and out, with trims to make good
- Written guarantee terms and advice on building regulations sign-off
When you might need uPVC windows
- Windows are draughty, rattle or let rain in around the frame
- Several sealed units have misted and the frames look tired
- Sashes have dropped and will not lock without forcing
- Timber frames are rotting and need constant repainting
- You want stronger locks on easily reached ground-floor windows
Guide prices
| Typical job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Casement window, 900 × 1050 mm | £565 – £725 |
| Casement window, 1200 × 1200 mm | £665 – £855 |
| Large window, 1800 × 1200 mm | £805 – £995 |
| Anthracite or woodgrain, 1200 × 1200 mm | £785 – £995 |
Options to choose between
Casement windows
Side-hung or top-hung sashes on friction hinges, suiting most houses, with easy-clean hinges that let upper-floor glass be cleaned from inside.
Tilt and turn
Opens inwards from the side for cleaning or escape, or tilts from the top for secure ventilation; practical for flats and upper floors.
uPVC sliding sash
Vertical sliders that mimic traditional box sashes, using spring balances instead of weights, where planning rules allow uPVC.
Double or triple glazing
Low-E double glazing suits most homes; triple glazing adds a third pane for lower heat loss and quieter rooms, but units are heavier.
Woodgrain and colour foils
Grey, black, cream or woodgrain foils on one or both faces, so the frames can match a door or suit an older house.
Obscure and acoustic glass
Patterned or satin glass for bathrooms and street-facing rooms, and laminated acoustic glass to reduce traffic noise.
Georgian or astragal bars
Bars set between the panes or applied to the faces of the glass for a traditional divided-pane look.
Good to know about uPVC windows
uPVC window frames are made from extruded profiles with several internal chambers that trap air and slow heat loss. Larger frames, and those on exposed elevations, are usually reinforced with steel or aluminium inside the profile so they stay straight and the locks keep engaging properly over the years.
In England, Approved Document L sets the standard for a replacement window in an existing home: a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K or better, or a Window Energy Rating of band B or above. The new window should also be no worse than the one it replaces. The other UK nations set their own figures.
When windows are replaced in England, Approved Document F expects the room's ventilation to be no worse than before. That usually means trickle vents in the head of the new frames, sized to the room, so the glazier records whether the old windows had vents and specifies the new ones to suit.
Some upstairs windows are escape routes in a fire. In England, the Approved Document B guidance for an escape window is a clear openable area of at least 0.33 m², at least 450mm high and 450mm wide, with the bottom of the opening no more than 1100mm above the floor.
Low-level glass needs safety glazing. In England, Approved Document K treats any glazed panel within 800mm of the floor as a critical location, so a full-height pane, a low picture window or glass beside a door usually needs toughened or laminated glass, permanently marked to show its classification.
Modern uPVC casements use multi-point espagnolette locks that engage keeps along the frame, internally beaded glass so units cannot be removed from outside, and key-locking handles. PAS 24 is the security standard expected for easily accessible windows in new homes in England, and it is a sensible benchmark for ground-floor replacements.
uPVC no longer means white only. Frames can be foiled in woodgrain or solid colours such as grey, black or cream, often outside only with white inside. Foils are bonded at the factory and should be cleaned with a soft cloth and mild detergent, because abrasive pads and solvents mark the surface.
Windows are replaced room by room, so each opening is only exposed for a short spell. A single window is usually changed within a day, and a typical house takes a few days depending on the number of windows, bays and access. Inside, reveals are finished with trims, sealant or filler.
The price of uPVC windows depends mainly on size, the number of opening sashes, frame colour, glass specification and hardware. Bay windows, openings that need a tower or scaffold, and difficult removal of old frames add labour. See the guide prices for typical ranges; your written quote fixes the exact figure.
uPVC frames need washing a few times a year with warm soapy water and a drop of light oil on hinges and locking points. Drainage slots along the bottom of the outer frame let rainwater escape, so keep them clear of dirt and leaves to stop water collecting in the cill.
Bay windows need extra care. Some older bays carry load from the wall or roof above, so the glazier checks the support before removal and may fit bay poles or ask for structural advice. Replacing a window in the same opening is different from widening it, which needs a new lintel.
In England, replacement windows on a house that look similar to the originals usually do not need planning permission. Flats and maisonettes do not have permitted development rights for replacing windows, and listed buildings, conservation areas and homes under an Article 4 direction may need consent, so check before ordering.
Rules and regulations
Building regulations differ between the four UK nations. Here is what usually applies to uPVC windows; your written quote confirms the detail for your property.
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.
Approved Document L sets the minimum energy performance for replacement windows and doors in existing homes in England: a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K, or Window Energy Rating band B for windows; doors can instead meet a Door Set Energy Rating (band B, or band C for doors more than 60% glazed); rooflights need 2.2 W/m²K.
In England, replacing a whole window, roof window or glazed external door is building work. It has to be notified to building control, either by an installer registered with a competent person scheme such as FENSA or Certass, or through a building notice to the council. Replacing only the glass in an existing frame is a repair and is not notifiable.
Wales
In Wales, Approved Document N covers safety glazing: safety glass is needed in and around doors and in low-level glazing where people could walk into it.
Wales sets its own energy standards in the Welsh Approved Document L. Replacement windows, doors and rooflights must meet the limiting values set there, which your quote will reference.
In Wales, replacing a whole window or glazed external door is building work and is notified either by an installer registered with a competent person scheme or through the local authority's building control. Replacing only the glass in an existing frame is treated as a repair.
Scotland
Section 4 (Safety) of the Scottish Technical Handbooks covers glazing that people could collide with, such as glass in and beside doors and low-level glazing, where safety glass is needed.
Section 6 (Energy) of the Scottish Technical Handbooks sets the thermal performance that replacement windows, doors and rooflights should achieve.
In Scotland, replacing windows or doors in a house like for like does not usually need a building warrant, but the work must still meet the building standards in the Technical Handbooks. Flats and listed buildings can differ, so check with the local authority.
Northern Ireland
Technical Booklet V covers safety glazing in Northern Ireland, including glass in and around doors and low-level glazing where people could walk into it.
Technical Booklet F1 sets the energy performance that replacement windows, doors and rooflights need to meet in Northern Ireland.
In Northern Ireland, replacing windows and doors in an existing home does not usually need a building control application, but the work must still meet the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland), including the energy and safety glazing requirements. Other buildings, new openings and structural changes can need approval, so check with the council's building control if you are unsure. Replacing only the glass in an existing frame is a repair.
What happens next
Tell us about the job
Use the quote form, call, WhatsApp or live chat. Photos and rough sizes help.
Survey and measure
A glazier visits, checks the opening and measures. For simple glass swaps this is often done on the same visit as fitting.
Written quote
You get a written quote with the specification, price and guarantee terms. Nothing is ordered until you agree.
Made and fitted
Glass, frames or panels are made to size and fitted. We tidy up and take the old glass away.
uPVC Windows questions
How much do uPVC windows cost?
The cost of uPVC windows depends on the size and number of windows, how many sashes open, the frame colour, the glass and the access. White casements with standard double glazing sit at the lower end, while foiled colours, triple glazing and bay windows cost more. See the guide prices for typical ranges; the written quote fixes the price for your specification.
Do I need building regulations approval for replacement uPVC windows?
Yes. In England, replacement windows are controlled fittings, so the work must meet building regulations. An installer registered with a competent person scheme such as FENSA or Certass can self-certify the work and you receive a certificate; otherwise approval comes from building control. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland run their own systems, and we explain which route applies before work starts.
How long does it take to fit uPVC windows?
Most single windows are changed within a day, and a typical house usually takes a few days. Bays, large picture windows and openings that need a tower or scaffold take longer. Manufacturing comes first, because every frame is made to the survey measurements, and the lead time is confirmed with your quote.
Will fitting new windows damage my plaster or decor?
Some disturbance is normal, but it is usually limited to the edges of each opening. The glazier cuts out the old frame, fits the new one and finishes the inside with trims, sealant or filler. Older frames set deep into plaster may need some plaster repair, and we flag that at survey so it is covered in the quote.
Do new uPVC windows need trickle vents?
In England, usually yes. Approved Document F expects ventilation after window replacement to be no worse than before, which normally means trickle vents in the new frames. Our glaziers record the existing ventilation at survey and specify vents to suit each room. Rules in the other UK nations differ, so the detail is confirmed for your address.
Are uPVC windows secure?
Modern uPVC windows can be very secure when they have multi-point locks, internal glazing beads, key-locking handles and laminated glass where needed. PAS 24 is the security standard expected for easily accessible windows in new homes in England. Ask for ground-floor windows tested to it, and avoid frames where the glass is beaded from outside.
Should I choose double or triple glazing?
Well-specified double glazing with low-E glass and warm-edge spacers can meet the energy standard for replacement windows, and the certified rating confirms it. Triple glazing adds a third pane, which helps on cold, noisy or north-facing elevations, but the units are heavier and need frames designed for them. We can quote both so you can compare.
Can uPVC windows be fitted in a conservation area or listed building?
Sometimes, but consent may be needed first. Listed buildings need listed building consent for significant works, and conservation areas or Article 4 directions often restrict changes to front windows. Woodgrain foils or uPVC sliding sashes can occasionally satisfy a planning officer. Check with your council before ordering; the council can tell you what an application needs, and we can provide product details and specifications to support it.
What guarantee comes with new uPVC windows?
Manufacturer guarantees apply to new frames, sealed units and hardware, and the terms are confirmed in writing. Guarantee terms for the installation are set out in writing with your quote, so you know what is covered and for how long before you commit. Keep this paperwork with your building regulations certificate, because buyers' solicitors usually ask for both.
Can I fit uPVC windows myself?
You can, but the work still has to meet building regulations. In England and Wales, without an installer registered with a competent person scheme you need building control approval and inspection. Accurate measuring, correct packing, fixing and sealing all affect weather performance and how the locks work, and mistakes are hard to put right because frames are made to size and cannot be returned.
uPVC Windows near you
Choose your county or area for local details, towns we cover and the rules that apply where you live.
England
- Bedfordshire
- Berkshire
- Bristol
- Buckinghamshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Cheshire
- Cornwall
- County Durham
- Cumbria
- Derbyshire
- Devon
- Dorset
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- East Sussex
- Essex
- Gloucestershire
- Greater London
- Greater Manchester
- Hampshire
- Herefordshire
- Hertfordshire
- Isle of Wight
- Kent
- Lancashire
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Merseyside
- Norfolk
- North Yorkshire
- Northamptonshire
- Northumberland
- Nottinghamshire
- Oxfordshire
- Rutland
- Shropshire
- Somerset
- South Yorkshire
- Staffordshire
- Suffolk
- Surrey
- Tyne and Wear
- Warwickshire
- West Midlands
- West Sussex
- West Yorkshire
- Wiltshire
- Worcestershire
Scotland
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