How much does UPVC Double Glazing Cost

Double glazing is one of the most expensive and extensive home improvement projects you can undertake. Before you make any decision about having it installed, you need to be certain that you’re buying the right type for your home – and your budget.

Retaining 10% more of the heat in your home, having double glazing installed means that the cost of running your central heating will be considerably less over time. And, as they’re touted to last for 25 years, what you save on your utility bills may add up to more than you paid for your new windows.

A particularly important benefit for families is the increased security that double glazing provides, with most insurers now offering a discount on their premiums if modern double glazing has been installed at a property.

In this article, we’ll be covering:

• How much uPVC double glazing costs
• What affects the price of double glazing
• The difference between double and triple glazing
• How you can save money on uPVC double glazing
• What type of window you should choose
• What’s involved in fitting a window
• How to find and hire a window fitter

If you’re considering overhauling your home’s windows for something more efficient, keep reading to find out our best suggestions to keep costs as low as possible during your renovation.

How Much Does uPVC Double Glazing Cost?

The price of double glazing will vary from property to property, with the more windows you need equalling a higher price.

Here are some common house sizes and the price range for a standard uPVC casement window:

Generally, per small window, labour costs will be around £150, with larger windows clocking up at £300 and needing two tradesmen to instal. The more windows there are to instal, the longer the job will take, which will increase your overall labour costs.

For smaller detached houses or large semi-detached properties with 12 windows, homeowners should budget between £4,900 and £7,600 for brand new double glazing.

The prices we’re quoting have been sourced from small, local suppliers. Homeowners are increasingly finding that regional independent installers can deliver the same high specifications in windows, the installation service and after-care that they expect from larger, nationwide suppliers.

Smaller installers also generally charge a lot less because the overheads they have are lower than their national rivals – there is no big showroom network, television advertising costs, or salesmen’s commissions to pay for.

Because double glazing requires such a significant financial investment, homeowners should look to do as much as they can to get the highest quality installation possible, at the lowest price the market offers.

For a 12-window installation, the quotes we received from partner suppliers started at around £4,900. However, by getting installers to compete with each other, you might be able to get the same work done using the highest quality products and installation standards for as little as £4,000.

Within this £4,000, your budget would include varying windows sizes, window features like frosting for the bathroom, and you may even persuade an installer to include a new and fully fitted uPVC front door within the cost.

Are you ready to upgrade your home’s windows? HouseholdQuotes can help you find the right window fitter.

Click the button below to compare quotes from multiple tradespeople near you, and potentially save money on your project:

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What Affects the Cost of Double Glazing?

With double glazing coming in at a high price, thankfully there are plenty of options to help you reduce the overall fee for your renovation.

Simply put, the style of the window will affect the cost of your double glazing. There are a few styles to choose from, so we’ve rounded up the most common choices below for you to compare their prices.

uPVC Casement Windows

uPVC French Casement Windows

uPVC Sash Windows

uPVC Double-hung Sash Windows

uPVC Bay Windows

uPVC Tilt and Turn Windows

uPVC Bow Windows

The Choice of Window Frame

The thicker your double glazed windows, the better the glass and the argon gas are at keeping the heat in and noise out. Depending on how large your window is, the standard thickness of double glazing is between 14 millimetres and 28 millimetres.

There are three main types of framing used in double glazing installations in the UK – uPVC, wood, and aluminium. The most popular choice of framing is uPVC because of the considerable savings it offers homeowners in comparison to the two other choices.

But there are other benefits too – for example, uPVC is very low maintenance and wipe-clean. Looking after it is much easier than worrying about what to do about wooden frames that may be beginning to rot or aluminium frames whose paint has been chipped away.

Although uPVC technology and the designs now on sale are far better than the uPVC many of us might remember from the 1980s and the 1990s, the material is still not to everyone’s taste. It is the cheapest window frame option, coming in at around £560.

Aluminium is very much in vogue at the moment – just check out home furnishing magazines to see how often they’re featured. Aluminium offers slender frames to homeowners, meaning that you see more of the outside world unobstructed compared to uPVC or wood – it also comes at a higher price point of around £650, nearly £100 more than the uPVC counterpart.

Wooden frames look classical and stylish, especially on period properties but, as with aluminium, it costs a lot more than uPVC to install, and badly manufactured wooden frames can deteriorate surprisingly quickly. You can expect to pay around £600 for wooden window frames.

Double Glazing vs Triple Glazing

While for most, the jump from single glazing to double glazing may be enough to keep the heat in and the loud road noise out, there is another option to consider if you want the ultimate glazing – triple glazing.

Particularly suitable for homes in very cold environments because of its enhanced ability to keep in the warmth, triple glazing is particularly popular in Nordic countries, but it has yet to catch on in Britain just yet.

The reason triple glazing does it better than double is that the space between the panes of glass is filled with krypton glass (rather than argon gas) and because the frames themselves have additional layers of insulation.

According to a recent study, a room with a triple-glazed window was up to 18 degrees warmer than a room with single glazing, and between two and seven degrees warmer than a room with double glazing. While triple glazing offers greater energy efficiency, they also come with better noise insulation qualities.

Understandably, triple glazed windows cost more than double because of the higher material and production costs. They are also harder to fit, meaning that labour charges for installation will also be higher. Triple glazed windows will let slightly less light into a property, but in most cases, you would struggle to see the difference.

For the same size, the triple glazed window will cost £135 more than the double glazed counterpart, with a semi-detached house costing around £3,900, while a detached house could cost you £6,000.

The industry is also examining the potential of quadruple glazing, although limited demand for it is impeding any significant investment in the technology just yet.

How Can I Save Money on New uPVC Double Glazed Windows?

Comparing quotes is a great way to potentially reduce the cost of your double glazing. HouseholdQuotes can help you get quotes from multiple window fitters near you, so that you can find someone that suits your budget.

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Double glazing requires a significant financial investment, so it’s best to do a lot of price comparisons when it comes to collecting your quotes for installation.

Many national companies are advertising on TV with local branches on high streets and industrial parks, all of which offer the highest quality products, have some of the best fitters in the business, and have teams of people looking after customer support.

However enticing that sounds, all of that, plus a salesman’s commission of up to 20% comes at a cost to you, with all of those ‘extras’ included in the final price you pay. If engaging with these types of companies, be particularly cautious if you’re offered a special, one-day-only offer, as this is a tactic designed to strong-arm a cautious customer into committing to a decision that they may not be ready to make.

It is always advisable to shop local and find a reputable company – preferably one that has been established for over ten years. Double glazing is a substantial investment, and taking a budget option now may prove to be an error when the time comes for you to sell your home.

When smaller, independent suppliers compete with each other, prices come down, but not at the cost of quality of product, installation skill, or customer service.

Do I Really Need Double Glazing?

Which double glazing you should buy depends on three major factors – your budget, your personal preferences, and the building you live in.

Older homes are more difficult to buy double glazing for because owners want to keep the character and style of their property, and any double glazing must be in keeping with that character and style.

With more modern buildings, there is greater scope for flexibility and experimentation. A recent trend among homeowners has been the increasing popularity of tilt/turn windows because of the increased security and airflow they offer.

The world of double glazing offers far more options than many homeowners realise. The best thing to do is to speak with an installer in your own home who can better understand what you want from your double glazing, as well as consider the type of building you live in.

The major advantages of double glazing are that you will keep more heat in your home, your home will be more secure, and when the time comes to sell your property, it’s far easier to find a buyer for a home with modern windows, than one with old-fashioned single glazing.

Double glazing is considered Permitted Development for building regulations, however, for owners of listed properties and properties within conservation areas, additional rules apply which may mean that double glazing mightn’t be an option for your home.

In most cases, double glazing will last between 20 to 25 years, with most manufacturers now offering a guarantee of at least 10 years, making it a justifiable investment for right now, as well as the future.

Which Type of Window Should I Choose?

When it comes to choosing your type of double glazing, every homeowner has their own needs and taste – and that also needs to be compatible with the budget they have set aside.

One important aspect to consider when choosing double glazing is energy efficiency. Just like the electrical appliances you have around your home, double glazing has its own rating system measuring how energy efficient they are.
Legally, no window can be installed in the UK with a grading lower than C as it will be in breach of Government building regulations.

To save the most money on your electricity and gas bills as possible, try to select windows at or as near to A+ grade as possible. The higher the energy efficiency, the less the amount of heat will escape from your home, keeping you and your family warm all year around.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Double Glazed Windows

Let’s go through the main advantages and disadvantages of windows:

Advantages/Disadvantages of uPVC Casement Windows

This is Britain’s most popular style, both thanks to their competitive price and their innate modernity and style. Although casement windows are available with no openings, we wouldn’t recommend them because you won’t be able to let any fresh air in on warm days.

Casement windows with hinges are great for allowing fresh air to circulate your rooms on a sunny day. You can also choose whether you want the windows to open outwards or inwards – outwards being a popular choice for homeowners who have furniture or seating placed under their windows.

One of casement windows’ in-built security features is to limit the degree to which the window will open – great for keeping burglars out, and an additional layer of safety against curious toddlers.

Make sure you check out all varieties of casement windows, including pivoted/centre-hinged, hopper/bottom-rung, awning/top-hung, sliding folding casement, top light casement, and side hung casement.

Advantages/Disadvantages of uPVC French Casement Windows

A popular, but expensive variation of uPVC casement windows is the uPVC French-style casement window. Unlike standard casement windows, there is no supporting bar across the middle of the frame.

Both sides can swing open (either inwards or outwards) for maximum ventilation, which isn’t the best choice for toddlers or young children as the design isn’t as safe as the traditional casement style.

However, if this isn’t a concern for your household, French-style casement windows can give an effortless style to your property, and help to keep it well-ventilated throughout the warmer summer months.

Advantages/Disadvantages of uPVC Sash Windows

If there was a classically British style of window, it would be the sash window. This is the type of window style you’d most expect to see on a historic or period property, like a Georgian townhouse.

A sash window has two layers of double glazing – one at the top and one at the bottom. The sash window uses the frame as a tramline so that you can slide one of the layers either horizontally or vertically – in most cases, you slide the bottom layer up the tramline to open the window.

You can fully open the window by bringing the bottom layer up to the level of the top layer, or open it gradually to your own preference. If placed on a window seat, this can pose a risk of falling if the window is at a height, which can be a concern for those with young families.

Sash windows come in at around 20% more than French-style casement windows or double the price of casement windows with one opening. They are a more expensive option, but they offer a grand style that can be coveted in certain areas.

Advantages/Disadvantages of uPVC Double-Hung Sash Windows

A variant on the double glazed sash window is the double glazed, double-hung sash window. They are very much in style thanks to their superior aesthetics, but they do come at a steep premium in comparison to the prices you’d pay for standard sash windows.

With double-hung sash windows, both layers of the window can be moved up or down. Whereas with standard sash windows, you can only let the air in by lifting the bottom layer towards the top layer, with double-hung you can move the top layer down to the level of the bottom layer.

Double-hung sash windows are generally considered to be better for security and safety than standard sash windows, as you can open upwards to escape if needed, while this opening also allows you to let fresh air into your home without the worry of toddlers or pets escaping through the open gap.

Advantages/Disadvantages of uPVC Bay Windows

Another classic British style reminiscent of grand houses and sweeping terraces from the 19th Century is the bay window, offering the homeowner extra living space as well as an elegant vista to the outside world.

Bay windows are a collection of three, four or five windows side by side which angle outwards and then back inwards, and you may often hear ‘three-section bay windows’ referred to by installers as ‘box windows’.

Starting at around £1,000 for three windows, and going up to over £2,500 for five; bay windows are by far the most expensive option, also requiring structural work if fitting into an area where a bay window has not been before.

Advantages/Disadvantages of uPVC Tilt and Turn Windows

Tilt/turn windows are an increasingly popular choice because of their attractiveness, effectiveness and versatility. They are a superb choice for homeowners wanting maximum ventilation on hot days, while also being very low maintenance because of the high manufacturing standards during production.

Tilt/turn windows use specially placed handles to the side and the top of the frame. If you use the top handle to open the frame, it tilts inwards or outwards from the bottom allowing a greater degree of control over the amount of air inflow into your rooms and your home.

If you use the side handle, it opens outwards or inwards like a casement window – great for when lots of ventilation is needed on a hot day. Tilt/turn windows cost about 50% more than standard casement windows with one opening.

Advantages/Disadvantages of uPVC Bow Windows

Bow windows are a variation of the standard bay window. Often referred to by installers as ‘compass windows’, up to eight panels are placed next to each other to form a grand but subtle sweep out from and back into your property’s outer wall.

The most dramatic bow windows cradle a property on one side of a home, stretching around to another forming a turret shape. Much like bay windows, the bow window comes with a high price-point which starts at £1,000 for three sections, and up to £2,000 for five sections.

What’s Involved in Fitting uPVC Double Glazed Windows?

Even when undertaken by a professional, fitting and replacing windows is a time-consuming job, so you’ll need to have something to cover up the window opening overnight.

Here is a brief overview of what will happen when your contractor comes in to replace your windows:

The old windows are removed starting with the window panes first, which will require more than one person. A chisel and club hammer will then be taken to the frame until it can be eased out of position, with the windowsill being removed too.

The outer sill is then cut to size, making sure it fits well around the property’s brickwork. It’s then screwed onto the window frame, with any vents and ventilators screwed into place.

The window is then installed, with a spirit level handy to check the levels continually during the process.

Any gaps can be covered with a scotia trim outside, and then internally a trim will be added and secured using sealant to make everything neat.

How Do I Find and Hire a Window Fitter?

Finding the right window fitter can be challenging. At HouseholdQuotes, we can connect you to window fitters in your area.

Click the button below to tell us more about your project, and we’ll help you find someone quickly and easily:

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Certain home improvements require specialist and accredited individuals to perform the installations – a boiler needs to be installed by someone who is on the Gas Safe Register.

However, there are no such rules for the installation of double glazing, and homeowners are perfectly free to buy their double glazing directly from a manufacturer and to install it themselves – but this isn’t always a route you want to take.

DIY double glazing may be a way to save money on the cost of the overall job, but there are potential complications. Many window manufacturers will only stand by their guarantee if their windows are installed by a company that is accredited to or by members of certain organisations, such as:

• Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF)
• The Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme (FENSA)
• Certification and Self-Assessment (CERTASS)
• FairTrades / TrustMark accreditation

There is also a significant safety risk in installing your own double glazing because it is more than a one-person job. Were the worst to happen and you injured yourself during the installation, your property will be vulnerable until the work is complete and you may lose money because of the time you have to take off from work.

As with all major home improvements, it is always better to either let a professional do it for you or for you to work in partnership with a professional. Remember that the savings you make with a self-installation will be limited – you will probably pay far more for the materials than your installer because they’ll benefit from trade-only discounts.

When searching for your contractor, seek recommendations from family, friends, and neighbours in the first instance. If they’ve recently had new windows installed, they’ll probably be able to point you in the right direction of a trusted trader – or out of view from any potential rogue traders.

Ensuring the Professional Is the Right Fit

It’s best practice with any renovation to seek out a written quote. This way, both you and the contractor have something physical to fall back onto if anything is up in the air about what was originally agreed, which is a good caveat to have.

Seeking out your contractor’s experience, as well as collecting references are all normal procedures when hiring someone. If your trader is reluctant to give this information up, consider this a red flag and ask yourself why they might be wanting to withhold that information from you.

Similarly, finding out if they’re insured is a surefire way of ratting out any cowboy traders – and finally, finding out their guarantee policy is important to ensure the longevity of your property, and give you peace of mind knowing you’re covered if something goes wrong with your windows further down the line.

Final Checklist

Adding double glazing to your home can be a hugely beneficial upgrade to lock in heat, and block out road noise.

Here’s our final checklist to help you make the best decisions when choosing double glazing for your home:

• Consider which type of window style is right for you. If you have toddlers or curious pets, opting for something which has a limited range of opening may be better – if this isn’t an issue, pick whichever window suits both your style and your budget
• Do you need triple glazing? If you live in a particularly cold, weather-beaten environment, the answer may be yes, but generally, double glazing is enough for most homeowners
• Shop around for quotes, and make sure to let companies know they’re not the only traders bidding for your business to drive prices down
• See if you can haggle a new front door or patio door into the estimate as this will help to improve the price of your home when it comes to selling
• Use HouseholdQuotes to find local window fitters and potentially save money on your double glazing project
• Be prepared for the job to take a while, and to suffer a few draughty nights while your windows are being fitted!

Use HouseholdQuotes to find local window fitters and potentially save money on your double glazing project.

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Frequently Asked Questions