UPVC windows vs timber & single glazing: warmer rooms, quieter nights and no more repainting. Here is what really changes when you upgrade.
Old timber frames and single glazing have real charm, but they're usually the reason a room feels cold near the window even when the heating's on.
By "standard" windows we mean what a lot of North East homes still have: original timber frames that need repainting and are starting to rot, single glazing, or early double glazing well past its thermal performance. Here's what actually changes when you replace them with modern A-rated UPVC.
Drag the slider to compare a tired single-glazed timber sash with a new UPVC sash-style window in the same opening (illustrative images).
A quick at-a-glance guide, scored out of five.
A single pane has a U-value of around 5.0; a decent modern double glazed unit comes in around 1.2 to 1.4. The lower the number, the less heat escapes.
The sealed gap between panes is a sound barrier as well as a thermal one, and units with panes of different thicknesses are particularly good at cutting road noise.
Shrinking, rotting timber lets air in around the frame. New UPVC is sealed properly into the opening, and warmer glass means far less condensation running down the inside.
Old sash catches and soft timber are easy to defeat. Modern UPVC windows have proper locking handles and a frame that doesn't soften with age.
No sanding, filling or repainting every few years. UPVC just needs a wipe-down, plus an occasional spray of light oil or silicone lubricant on the hinges.
Done properly, UPVC keeps the look: sash-style windows, the right glazing bar pattern and bay sightlines matched to the original brickwork.
Every window we fit is glazed with A-rated energy-efficient glass, the top band on the Window Energy Rating scale. It's the standard spec, not an optional upgrade.
An argon-filled gap insulates far better than plain air, and a Low-E coating on the inner pane reflects heat back into the room rather than letting it escape.
A cheaper, thinner profile with fewer internal chambers performs worse thermally and is more likely to flex or discolour. We fit multi-chambered UPVC profiles from established manufacturers.
A free survey, a fixed itemised quote and fitting by our own tradesmen. A-rated UPVC windows from £395 including fitting.
If your windows are already double glazed and the only problem is misting between the panes, the frame is usually fine. It's the sealed unit that's failed. That's a repair from £29 per window, not a new window.
And if you live in a listed building or a strict conservation area, there may be rules on what can be fitted. Some conservation areas allow UPVC as long as it matches the original style; others are stricter. We'll flag this at the survey stage before you commit to anything.
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