Latest news with #doubleglazing
The Independent
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
UK window prices 2025: How much single, double or triple-glazed windows cost
The average cost of a new set of eight uPVC windows for an average three-bedroom home in the UK is currently about £4,500, according to research by The Independent. This number depends heavily on the style, materials, colours and glazing type of your windows, together with how many you need and where you are in the country. Most buyers opt for white uPVC, which is a type of plastic. It does not rust or rot, an advantage over wood, and it is cheaper than aluminium, the other popular low-maintenance material. It also doesn't bend like aluminium can. Even so, we will cover other popular materials and styles, since uPVC won't suit everyone, and some buyers will have their choices made for them if they live in conservation areas or other regulated parts of the UK. Double glazing is also the top choice for window replacement. It is not much more expensive than single glazing once frames, design and labour costs are included, whilst being about 15 per cent cheaper than triple glazing. It also helps cut noise and heating bills. UK windows prices at a glance How much do double glazed window materials cost? uPVC windows cost Let's start with the most common material, uPVC. It's a type of plastic that is favoured as a building material because it doesn't bend or deform easily, it is waterproof and requires no more than a clean every once in a while. Like most plastics, it's a byproduct of the oil industry. The frames are often made to measure in the UK, since standardised window sizes are not universal. In the last few decades, the technology used to make them has also improved, meaning they fit better, last longer and insulate more effectively. They also come in more colours and finishes than before, so if you want to avoid white matte windows, read on. The advantage of uPVC is in its price and low maintenance. You won't need to revarnish and keep an eye on them as you would with timber windows and they cost less than aluminium, which can bend. A typical three-bedroom house can be double glazed for £4,500. Cons: Aluminium windows cost Aluminium is another option. It is a good choice if you want to spend a bit more to get more life out of your windows. If they are treated well, they will last up to 50 years. The metal also doesn't tarnish, and it takes paint well. But unlike timber and uPVC, it is a poor insulator and can conduct heat away, which makes it less energy efficient, and it can bend. Aesthetically, aluminium frames can be thinner, meaning they're lighter and have a more modern feel. They could be for you if you don't want the look of uPVC or the maintenance of wood, and like the thought of not having to think about your frames for a long time to come. The cost to fit a typical three-bed home can be double that of uPVC, with aluminium frames for £9,600. Pros: Very long-lasting – 40 to 50 years Thin, rust-resistant frames Cons: Not a natural insulator More expensive than uPVC Timber windows cost The third option is timber. It's the most expensive of the three and requires the most maintenance. You should re-varnish your frames every two to three years to keep the wood in good condition. If you do, they can last 40 years. This extra longevity can mean that in the long run, timber frames cost little more than uPVC. But this only works out if you are careful to maintain them, and it may not matter if you don't have thousands of pounds to spare to buy them. For some, timber is the only choice, perhaps because they are in a conservation zone, or because they love then look of them. A typical three-bed home will cost £14,000 to double glaze with timber frames. Pros: Look good Last a long time if well maintained Cons: Costly Need regular maintenance How much do double glazed window styles cost? Casement windows cost Casement windows are the standard for most homes, especially newer ones. They are your simple, hinged frames, which typically open outwards. Our estimation of £4,500 to double-glaze an average three-bed home with uPVC frames was calculated with casement windows in mind. They are the cheapest and suit most homes. They are affordable, look good and are functional, although if you want something different, they are not the best choice. Sash windows cost Sash windows slide up and down in place, rather than opening in or out. They have a long history in the UK and also in Holland, where they are common on period properties. Traditionally, they are made of wood, but uPVC sash windows are also available. They often operate using weights to stop them from moving, which adds to their expense. Fitting out a home with sash windows in uPVC will cost about £6,500, according to research by The Independent, while a fresh set of timber sash windows could cost you £18,000. Bear in mind, timber sash windows can be overhauled, which is considerably cheaper. It is possible, but unlikely, that you will need to replace every single window. They are good-looking and practical windows, but they are expensive. Tilt and turn windows cost These models are the most adaptable frames, since you can open them in two different ways, typically hinged at the side like a casement window, and then also hinged at the bottom, to allow ventilation. Unlike casement windows, they can also open inwards. They are great if you want to make the best use of a balcony or other outside space, but they are mechanically more complex and so will require more maintenance. If you want tilt and turn windows for the whole house, an average three-bed home will cost £5,900 in uPVC, £18,000 in timber and £12,000 in aluminium, assuming eight windows. Bay windows cost Bay windows are amongst the most expensive window options, but they can also be the most impressive. They project from the home rather like a turret, and they can incorporate a seat on the inside, in order to take in the view or read by natural light. Their expense comes mainly from the fact that they are really three windows in one – a facing pane, with one either side. You probably either have a bay window to re-glaze or you don't, but if you are having an extension added, or thinking about a more serious remodelling, they are a good choice for maximum light. A well-made bay window will brighten up most homes whilst also keeping the heat in. You can opt for uPVC, wood or aluminium and each unit will cost on average £2,250, £6,700 and £4,500, respectively. It would be quite eccentric for every window in a home to be bay, hence why we have prices for individual units. Bow windows cost Similar to bay windows, bow windows follow a gentle curve rather than a boxy projection out from the house. They can be thought of as a little like a compromise between a bay window and a large casement model. Sometimes called compass windows, they allow for more light and a better view. Some buyers prefer their arched layout over the boxier bay style. Just like bay models, you can opt for uPVC, wood or aluminium, and each unit will cost on average £2,250, £6,700 and £4,500. Should you choose single, double or triple glazing? If you're looking for new windows in the UK, you have three broad choices: single, double and triple-glazed. Double glazed windows Unless you live in a listed building where consent from your local authority is needed, and unless you're simply replacing a broken pane, getting double-glazed or better is probably worth the extra cost since the labour charge of fitting the windows is such a big part of the overall expense. These economies of scale, where costs per window drop the more you buy, mean that replacing more than one window is also more cost-effective, if you can afford it. Even if your home is listed, unless it has original glass or some other feature that must be preserved, it's worth exploring whether you can replace your windows with double glazing. Double glazing involves sandwiching an inert gas, often a noble gas like argon, between two panes of glass. The inert gas helps to stop heat from being transferred. Argon is also used in incandescent light bulbs. It's non-toxic and fairly cheap. Our pricing above – for instance £4,500 to double glaze the average three-bed house in uPVC – is based on double glazing. Double and triple-glazed windows help reduce outside noise and keep the heat in. They also boost your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating, which could help in selling your home when the time comes. As with everything else, windows themselves and the labour costs to fit them have increased in recent years as energy prices have risen, making glass and other components more expensive. Pros: Loads of styles Cost effective Insulates well Cuts noise Cons: Not as good as triple glazing for noise and heat loss reduction Triple glazed windows No prizes for guessing how triple glazed windows work. They make use of three panes of glass separated by two pockets of inert gas. They retain even more heat. However, if you live somewhere where you get a lot of sun, for instance, a top-floor flat, this may not be completely desirable unless you also have air conditioning. For many homes, especially those in windy locations or those on busy, noisy roads, they could be the best option. Expect to pay 15-30 percent more than for double glazing. They are heavier and available in fewer styles. Finding triple glazed windows in timber and aluminium is difficult. Pros: Even better insulation and soundproofing Cons: More expensive than double glazing Fewer styles and materials available Single glazed windows Finding single glazed windows is increasingly hard. One reason for this is that much of the cost of a new set of windows is in the labour to fit them, the cost of the frames, transport and other costs. The glass itself is a comparatively small component. This makes double glazing an obvious choice for most people as bills are cut, noise reduced and security improved. Another reason is that the industry prefers to sell double glazing because it offers better margins. But competition has helped drive prices down, meaning that the price difference is now smaller than it was. Most people who choose single glazing do so because they have to, perhaps because they live in a listed building or have some other restrictions they must follow. It costs about 10-30 per cent less than double glazing. Pros: Cheaper Cons: Less energy efficient Less choice Less noise protection Poorer security What to look for in a double-glazed windows quote Once you've decided to buy your windows, you'll want to get a few quotes together. You can use our expert tool to get prices in your area. Your quote will be influenced by a few different factors including: how many windows you want, thier shape and location, what materials you have chosen, and where you are in the country. Windows will cost you more in London because the area commands higher wages for tradespeople, for instance. Firstly, you will want to go through the quote with a fine-tooth comb. What have they included? Has anything been missed out? Is scaffolding in there? Do you need it? How long have they quoted for? Is that enough or too long? Does the quote include the finish, colour, locks and handles you asked for? If you have opted for in-house financing, which you should probably try to avoid since it will be more expensive than other loans, is the deal exactly as the salesperson described? If there are any discrepancies between what you asked for and what's in the quote, raise that now and use it as leverage for a discount. If the detail is not there, ask for it. You will also want to check exactly what the guarantee covers so you can compare it to other deals. How to get the best price for your new windows? In a word, haggle. There are hundreds of window fitters in the UK and there will be dozens in your area. If you offend one by asking for a cheaper price, so what? Be bold. Haggling is something of a lost art in the UK, since so much is bought online or in shops where no room for negotiation is allowed. But for big purchases like cars, homes, windows and renovations, it can save you thousands of pounds. The key thing is to understand your own priorities and those of the fitter. Perhaps you are in no hurry and the fitter has a load of other jobs to do first, but they would value a pipeline of work. That could mean you can negotiate a discount because you can guarantee the fitter future work, something which will give them some breathing room. Perhaps you are willing to take their financing, which is often very lucrative for the fitting company, but you insist on a very steep discount to do so. Perhaps they'll add a new door at half price if you're having five windows done, for example, or maybe you'll give your business to their competitors if they don't. Don't be afraid to ask for discounts beyond any offered upfront. It may be their summer sale, but there's often room to negotiate the price down a little further. And don't be pressured into accepting deals on the same day they're offered. This is a ploy to keep you from shopping around for quotes from other firms. You won't find pricing on most double glazing companies' websites. That's because they're flexible. For the big-name fitters, operating nationally, you should aim to get a chucky percentage off the price you are shown. Don't be surprised to be told that £9,000 rather than £4,500 is a fair price to fit the eight uPVC windows that a standard three-bed house has. The salesperson is there to get the best commission. You are armed with our research to get the best price. The £4,500 figure still allows them a decent profit margin, it's just that they may have to forgo a new Ferrari this year. What are the signs I should replace my windows? Here are some of the signs you may need new windows: Condensation between panes Draughts Higher energy bills Increased noise Stiff openings Visible damage Not knowing the last time they were replaced Can I get my double glazing fixed? Checking your warranty, if you have one, should be your first port of call. If your windows are leaking, sticky, fogging up (especially between the glass panes) or letting draughts and noise in, it could mean they need repairing. If they're in warranty, your fitter should be available to fix them. Otherwise, it's worth getting a quote to see if they can be fixed more cheaply than a replacement, especially if it's only one or two windows causing problems. If these problems arise and your windows are 20 years old or more, it could be time for a fresh set. How to pay for new windows Try to pay in cash. Window fitters offer loans but they are expensive. The biggest national fitters Everest, Anglian and Safestyle offer 12.9 per cent from 36 months with deposits from £249 and most others offer similar terms. Britannia Windows offers 12 months of buy now pay later at 0 per cent plus a £29 fee. Borrowing is 15.9 per cent if the bill is not paid after the first year. With a shorter three-month deferred payment, a lower rate of 11.9 per cent is offered. Coral Windows offers interest-free payments if you can pay over 24 months and settle half the bill when the work is done. Other borrowing options start at 11.9 per cent. A personal loan will be cheaper, with banks offering about 6-7 per cent a year. But if you can pay most or all of it in cash, you will be better off, as no savings account can offer rates like these. How we made this guide We spoke to customers and fitters across the UK, as well as insiders in the double glazing market to find you the average prices for windows of all styles. They gave us tips on how to negotiate and save money and they told us never to say yes to the first quote you are offered. Why trust us? The Independent has been reporting on green energy and climate matters since it was founded in 1986. Since then, we have written hundreds of reviews and news stories on energy, including the best window fitters, the best window finance and various other guides on green power. FAQs How much will it cost to replace windows? It depends, but roughly £4,500 for eight uPVC casement windows in an average three-bed house. What are the cheapest windows? The cheapest are uPVC casement windows, being the most common style in the cheapest material.
The Independent
11-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
How much does double glazing cost for a three-bed house?
If you've just bought a new three-bed home or your windows are looking tired, it could be a good time to invest in some new double glazing. The first question that springs to mind is how much will it cost? When you buy most things, it is easy to spend five minutes Googling prices to get a vague idea, but not with windows. For some reason, publishing pricing is not common. Many companies say this is because windows in the UK are not standardised, and an average price does not help the individual buyer. It also means some fitters can overcharge. However, we have done the research for you and put together some quotes for the average three-bed home. This will offer you a useful yardstick even if your home is bigger or smaller. Just bear in mind, some window styles can cost a lot more than standard white plastic double-glazing. Read on to learn more. How much does it cost to double-glaze a three-bed house? Double-glazing a three-bed house in the UK can cost between £4,000 and £7,000, according to Pontefract-based Value Doors & Windows, although you can spend much more than that depending on what options you decide to go for. Yorkshire-based Coral Windows says £4,500 to £6,000 is possible, again depending on colour, finish and options. According to our own research at The Independent, for a set of eight basic uPVC casement windows on the average three-bed house, £4,500 is the target price you should be aiming for. UPVC windows tend to be the most economical, with timber and aluminium costing more – £14,000 and £9,600, respectively. It's important to reiterate that being in a remote location, having very large or odd-shaped windows, or opting for extras such as different colours or tougher locks will inflate this figure. According to industry data, smaller flush casement windows of 60x90cm cost about £480, while bigger ones of 94x160cm may be up to £700. How much does it cost to double-glaze a three-bed terraced house? Terraced homes are typically smaller and so may have smaller, if not fewer, windows. This means that the window frames themselves will be smaller and cost less, although labour costs will not decrease that much. You should aim for about £3,800 for new uPVC windows in an eight-window average three-bed terraced home. For timber frames, which cost a lot more but could last up to 40 years rather than the 20 plastic frames will last, aim for less than £12,000. Your other main choice is aluminium frames, which will last a similar time to wood frames, but with less maintenance, aim for about £8,000. If you live in a conservation area, you may have to abide by the rules and go for a more expensive option that's in keeping with the local area, such as wooden frames or sash windows, which cost about 50 per cent more than outward-opening casement models. Quotes will also depend on features such as locks or fancy glass types such as Low-e, which helps stem heat loss. Where in the country you are will also affect the price you pay. A detached or semi-detached home will probably cost more because it will have larger rooms. Larger rooms will mean bigger frames, and prices for the materials will rise as a result. Labour costs should not move that much, although larger homes could find themselves in a conservation area where bay or sash windows are demanded. These cost more. You should aim for about £5,000 for new uPVC windows. For timber frames aim for less than £15,000. For aluminium frames aim for about £11,000. How does pricing compare to single and triple glazing? Triple glazing is increasingly popular, although still a small part of the market. It offers more savings in heat retention and it blocks more noise, but it is also heavier and more expensive. Expect to pay about 15 per cent more. There are also fewer fitters and fewer styles available. You may be limited to uPVC windows for many companies. Single glazing will cost about 10-20 per cent less, although if you are choosing it, it is probably because you are in a listed property, perhaps with hard-to-fit or odd-shaped windows, which may increase the price. Offering a catch-all guide is difficult. You should also budget about £350 to £550 for scaffolding if you need it. Is double glazing worth it? Yes, is the short answer, and particularly as energy prices remain high. The premium to single glazing is small and single glazing is in limited supply. According to the Energy Saving Trust, installing A-rated double glazing in a semi-detached home will save £140 a year in lower energy bills compared to single glazing. If the windows last 20 years, that's a £2,800 saving, which is about half the cost of installation if you are able to secure a deal of £4,500, which The Independent's research suggests you should. For single glazing to make financial sense by comparison, it would have to cost less than half the price of double glazing, bearing in mind the heating bill savings. Then there are the other benefits to double glazing, including noise reduction and better security. With triple glazing, the saving compared to single panes of glass is £150 a year, £10 more than double glazing, and so only £200 more over the 20 year period than double glazing. How to get the best price on double glazing for your three-bed house Don't be too surprised if the initial quotes you get from fitters come in at up to double our £4,500 price. Fitting firms are cheeky like that and rely on the fact that most people aren't used to haggling and buy most things retail. Get a number of quotes and ask for a thorough breakdown, including how many hours of work are needed and the cost per window. Don't be afraid to ask for discounts beyond any offered upfront. It may be their summer sale, but there's often room to negotiate the price down a little further. And don't be pressured into accepting deals on the same day they're offered. This is a ploy to keep you from shopping around for quotes from other firms. Late autumn and early winter is a quiet time for some installers, so that can be good time to pounce. In the spring, homeowners are often looking to fix problems they've spotted during the colder winter months, making it a busier time for installers. Finally, read any sales agreement very thoroughly, making sure it matches what the sales rep told you, word for word. If there is a disagreement, it will be the contract that holds water, not the quick-fire promises made to you verbally to get you to sign. FAQs What can you expect to pay for four-bed and larger homes? Bay windows can cost up to £2,100 for a large, five-section bay. You'll also pay more for shaped windows, such as oval, arch or circle shapes. The cost per window will also be influenced by how much work is done. If you're having the whole house done at once, you'll find the cost of each window ought to be lower since you can share other costs such as scaffolding – if you need it – and labour across more windows. What are uPVC windows? Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride is a very popular plastic. The unplasticized part of the name indicates that it's rigid rather than flexible, which is what you want in a window. As well as windows, uPVC is commonly used in flooring, plumbing and packaging. Are there any window grants to double-glaze a three-bed house? Yes, if you are on a lower income, there are a few depending on where you live. ECO4, which is the current generation of the UK government's scheme to force energy companies to help insulate Britain's homes, offers vulnerable and low-income homes grants to update single glazing into double glazing to save energy. If you are on universal credit, you may well qualify. In Scotland, the government offers up to £9,000 for energy efficiency improvements including moving from single to double glazing under Warmer Homes Scotland. A similar scheme is available in Northern Ireland called the Affordable Warmth Scheme in Northern Ireland. You will need ot receive certain benefits to be eligible for these schemes.
The Independent
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
The best double glazing companies in 2025
If it's time for a new set of windows for your home, we're here to answer all your questions on double glazing work and guide you through the best window installers in the UK. When it comes to replacing or upgrading your windows with double glazing, you have a choice of local and national operators. Make sure to gather a number of quotes to get the best price. We have assessed a number of factors in bringing you our best buy list, including price, guarantee options, national reach and security. We have included a price per window in the table below for most of the companies. As you can see, the range is fairly wide and depends on the window size, material, location and how many you buy. What we can tell you is that the average three-bed house should cost about £4,500 to fit with new double-glazed uPVC windows, depending on location and window sizes. It's important to haggle, perhaps more than many with other purchases. Windows are more of a buyers' market, since unless the panes themselves are broken, it's a purchase you can put off, at least for a little while. This gives you the upper hand and allows some time to research the best price and options. Depending on the installer and how tricky your installation is, you may be able to shave up to half off the initial quote you are given. This may seem unlikely, but it's true. That's because many firms rely on Britons' general discomfort over asking for discounts to make expensive initial offers. They also rely on their competitors doing the same. Smaller outfits that feel they need to be more competitive may not be able to drop by as much – use your judgement. As well as this guide, it is also worth getting personal recommendations. If a company has done a good job at a fair price for a friend or colleague, they will probably do the same for you. Best window installers at a glance Fitter Area covered Founded Guarantee Best for Price range Coral Windows Yorkshire 1990 15 years uPVC windows, 10 years locks Payment terms, but Yorkshire only £400 to £650 for a casement window Britelite Windows London, South East 1970 10 years Good reviews, long history From £550 a window First Home Improvements Most of South England 2008 12 years Good reviews £400 to £750 Clearview Windows The northwest of England 2008 20 years on products Best guarantee and plenty of awards Not disclosed Anglian Home Improvements England, Scotland and Wales 1966 10 years National coverage £600 to £1,500 Safestyle England, Scotland and Wales 2024 10 years National coverage £600 to £1,500 Everest England, Scotland and Wales 2024 10 years National coverage £700 to £1,800 Best overall: Coral Windows Coral Windows was established in 1990 by managing director John Valente, and as such, it's one of the longest continually operating firms on our list. The family-run company covers the Yorkshire region and has its own security technology called SmartFrame, which detects intrusions and sends alerts to a smartphone app as well as triggering an alarm. It also reminds you to close windows ad doors when you leave your home. Coral is notable for not taking a deposit on work. Founder Valente says: 'Whether we do a £4k window job or £50k conservatory or extension, we do not take one penny of deposit. The customer sees the product before they part with a penny. We are family-run, and have survived several recessions and Covid.' These payment terms, together with the firm's reputation, means it snags our top spot in spite of its relatively small coverage. Opting for smaller companies when buying new windows can be a good option since your business is a bigger deal for them than it would be for a national operator. It also means showrooms may be closer – Coral has sites in Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, Wakefield and Sheffield. The company sponsored West Yorkshire police cars, which helped boost business in the area. Its products have also been accredited by the force. As for products, Coral has a range of styles including casement, sash, tile and turn and bay. One downside is that Coral only offers uPVC windows. If you want timber or aluminium, you will have to look elsewhere. Coral offers interest-free credit on half the value of the work for two years. You just have to pay the first half when the work is done. This is one of the better offers we have seen, although you will need to spend £9,900 or more, so it works only for big homes. The offer isn't valid for conservatories, either. If you want to borrow the full amount with Coral, you will pay 11.9 per cent APR, which is in line with other fitters and cheaper than borrowing on your credit card, but better deals are available through personal loans, and you should probably avoid rates like this if you can. As well as conservatories, Coral offers triple glazing with A+ energy ratings. Triple glazing is a good option for those looking to invest and really slash their energy bills. For most people, insulation and cutting draughts are probably cheaper things to do first. But some homes with good insulation will benefit from triple glazing. Pros: Rare interest-free credit if you spend enough No deposit Good reviews Long guarantee Cons: Yorkshire only Best track record: Britelite Windows Area covered: London, Kent, Sussex, Essex and Surrey Founded: 1970 Guarantee: 10 years Best for: Good reviews and a long history Another long-established firm, Britelite has more than 50 years of experience fitting windows, doors and conservatories. It covers the southeast of England. It has Which? Trusted trader status and the company says chairman Dominic Baxter regularly reads customer reviews in order to keep service levels high. The company's long track record and decent customer reviews helped propel it to silver in our review table. In common with the other companies on our review list, getting a price per window is difficult, but our research suggests that each unit starts at about £550. You will, of course, pay more for aluminium frames from Britelite. The firm also offers doors and flat roofing, as well as green roofs, a relatively recent innovation. No timber frames are on offer, but styles including casement and sliding sash are. Green roofs, as the name suggests, offer removable panels of plants which help insulate the property, slow drainage and look nice. The removable panels mean maintenance is easier. Britelite joins most of the other companies on this list in having regular sales, where up to 30 per cent can be saved on many products. In practice, this shows how much can be cut from most estimates and still leave a profit margin the company is comfortable with, so use this information in any negotiations you have with your fitter of choice. The company's website is unusual in having a map of customers and reviews, so you can cast an eye over the experiences of customers who may be near to you. In common with other vendors, finance is available, but not on great terms, being 12.9 per cent APR. Better loans are available elsewhere so long as your credit is good. Triple glazing, conservatories, cladding and roofline products are also available. Roofline is industry jargon for guttering and the boards that seal the house under the eaves. The cladding is uPVC material that can replace wooden boarding which was a common addition to homes once but requires regular varnishing. Britelite has showrooms in Maidstone, Kent and Wickford, Essex. Pros: Long track record Keen pricing Cons: South East England only First Home Improvements has some of the broadest coverage of England and roots going back to the 1970s, although the company's current iteration was founded in 2008 through a management buyout of the previous owners. If you are after fancier windows made of wood or aluminium, you are out of luck, but if uPVC is your material of choice, and you aren't in the areas covered by Coral or Britelite, then First could be your best choice. There's plenty of choice within the realm of uPVC, including casement, sash, tilt and turn and even Tudor windows. First also market oval, triangle, round and arched windows. The company offers a generous 12-year guarantee and this, together with its keen pricing, puts it third in our league of window fitters. First offers a wide range of colours and textures, so there's no need to stick with white if you want a more contemporary look. As well as windows, the firm will fit porches, conservatories and doors, and it has a nifty online door designer tool, which is a nice touch if you can't make it to a showroom. As well as a generous guarantee, First will stand by its quotes for two years, which could come in handy if you need some time to save up for the job. First joins many of its competitors in the occasional 30 per cent off sale, so it is well worth getting a quote around this time. It also offers financing, although its website is cagey about rates, suggesting they are nothing to shout about. Instead, consider going to a lender. If you want a loan of £7,500 to £20,000, TSB offers a rate of 5.9 per cent over one to five years, Novuna Personal Finance offers 6 per cent over the same period, and M&S Bank offers 6 per cent over one to seven years. Borrowing £10,000 over seven years at 6 per cent will cost £2,271 in interest and mean a payment of £146 a month. Pros: 12 year-guarantee Good reviews Cons: Best for a good guarantee: Clearview Windows Area covered: The northwest of England including North Wales, West Derbyshire and South Lakes Founded: 2008 Guarantee: 20 years on products (roofs and PVC frames doors & glass), 10 years on aluminium and building work Best for: A good guarantee and plenty of awards North West-focused Clearview has a generous 20-year guarantee on many of its products, although the work itself is guaranteed for the more industry-standard 10 years. If you are in the Nort West of England, Clearview is a good choice because of this lengthy guarantee and a respectable haul of industry awards. The firm is proud to have won the Glass & Glazing Federation Installer of the Year award for three consecutive years. Timber frames are again missing, with the company instead focusing on more popular uPVC and aluminium models. The company's Extreme brand of energy efficient windows, which have a A+ rating, have frequent third-off sales that are worth seeking out. Clearview puts a focus on design, and much of its marketing effort is on conservatories, which can be designed at its showrooms or through consultations at your home. They range from the standard white uPVC greenhouse-style designs through to more contemporary styles which look more like an extension. However, the firm also has a good selection of windows, including casement and flush models for uPVC and slimline aluminium frames for a modern look. Flush casement windows, as the name suggests, sit flush to their frame, rather than overlapping it like a regular uPVC model. Showrooms can be found in Preston, Nantwich and Warrington. As always, financing is expensive, and either paying in cash or getting a cheaper loan is probably a better financial choice. If you are ordering a conservatory, a three-month interest-free option is available, but this does not apply to windows or doors. Clearview's products are made at a factory in Yorkshire. Pros: Long guarantee Decent reviews Cons: Conservatory focus North West England focused No pricing data Best for national coverage: Anglian Home Improvements Area covered: England, Scotland and Wales Founded: 1966 Guarantee: 10 years Best for: National coverage and range of styles The first national company on our list and the longest-running, Anglian was founded in 1966. It's changed hands several times since then and is now owned by a private equity firm, Alchemy Partners. It is also the biggest in the country, fitting half a million windows, doors and other products a year. The company covers all of Britain and provides blinds and conservatories ,as well as windows, doors and porches. Anglian offers to match uPVC window prices, which means it is well worth getting a number of quotes. This shouldn't mean that you should just get them to match the lowest quote though. If you have chosen Anglian as your window fitter, then make sure to negotiate and see if any further discounts are available. If choice, reach and longevity were the only concerns in our review, Anglian would top the list. It offers a dizzying selection of UuPVC, aluminium and timber models, with all sorts of sizes and colours. But it has a reputation for being expensive and cost is one of our top criteria, as well as customer satisfaction. Anglian makes its windows at its factory in Ipswich, Suffolk, and they can be made to fit your measurements. It also offers money off if you recycle your old windows through the firm, which might make for a further attractive discount. Like many companies that offer home improvements, you can borrow money through Anglian to help spread the cost. But the firm's offering on this front isn't very competitive with a 12.9 per cent APR. You would be much better off spending savings, since no savings account in the UK can beat that figure. If you don't have the savings to spare, then seeking financing through a personal loan is probably a better bet, with rates closer to half what Anglian is offering being available. A big plus for Anglian is the sheer choice, with wooden options as well as uPVC and aluminium. The firm will also make sash windows, as well as the usual outward-opening casement style. Modern tilt and turn windows – the ones that will hinge at the bottom to allow a small vent at the top as well as hinging on the side – and bay windows are on offer, as is secondary glazing. Pros: Huge choice National coverage Cons: Expensive Mixed customer reviews Best for recycling: Safestyle Famous in North West England for its quirky TV adverts fronted by medieval garb-clad Jeff Brown, who offered regular buy-one-get-one-free deals to customers, and later ones featuring former England goalie David Seaman, Safestyle collapsed into administration in 2023, blaming high costs and weak demand. It was bought by rival Anglian, but the collapse left some customers with worthless guarantees. Its similar, but more limited, offering places it just below its owner on our list. Under its new ownership it offers very similar services to Anglian, with a 10 year guarantee and broad coverage of the UK. There's excellent choice, but all made in uPVC. Those who want wood frames, perhaps to adhere to local planning and conservation rules, will have to look elsewhere. But uPVC is very low-maintenance, and Safestyle offers every design variation under the sun, including sash, bay and triple-glazed. Safetyle will remove your old windows and recycle them. It has the same quote matching as Anglian and quotes are valid for six months. Make sure you haggle, as with any supplier on this list. Interestingly, Safetyle sales are sometimes seen at the 15 per cent mark, rather than the 30 per cent others offer. This should not dissuade you from seeking a bigger price drop, however. As with its owner, Anglian, you can borrow money through Safestyle to help spread the cost. But the firm's offering on this front is the same at a fairly chunky 12.9 per cent APR. You would be much better off spending savings, since no savings account in the UK can beat that figure. If you don't have the savings to spare, then seeking financing through a personal loan is probably a better bet, with rates closer to half what Safestyle is offering being available. Other fitters on this list offer interest-free credit or other favourable payment terms. Pros: Recycle your old windows Good choice, albeit only in uPVC Cons: uPVC only Mixed customer reviews Rough recent history Best for transparent pricing: Everest Everest is one of the more famous names on our list, thanks to a couple of TV campaigns in the 1980s and 2000s showcasing its windows at the Tan Hill Inn, the highest pub in Britain. But the company has had a troubled recent history, going into administration in 2020 in the wake of Covid lockdowns and then again in 2024. It is now owned by Anglian. Its financial troubles left some customers unable to cancel orders and with worthless warranties, although purchases made just before the collapse were fulfilled by its new owners. Everest, like Anglian, offers a huge array of options, including timber and aluminium. The website is very easy to use and doors and conservatories are also available. The company's recent troubled past and some recent unfavourable reviews put it last for us. Unlike its stablemates Anglian and Safestyle – and indeed unlike any other firm on this list – Everest publishes a guide on how much their windows are likely to cost. These costs inform our table further up the page. With the other firms, we have had to use customers' estimates to provide figures. uPVC casement windows cost £700-£1,800 a window, with sash windows costing 50 per cent more, tilt and turn models 25 per cent more, bay windows 150 per cent more, aluminium frames 25 per cent more than uPVC and timber 50 per cent more than uPVC. These prices are the firm's asking prices and should be taken as a starting point for negotiations. Aim to lop of at least a quarter and try for a half if you can, perhaps by offering to pay upfront or add more work. Everest says its windows are now triple glazed as standard, which will make for costlier windows – add 10 to 20 per cent – albeit ones that retain the heat better. Everest, like its sister companies Anglian and Everest, offers financing but the rate is an uncompetitive 12.9 per cent. Using savings first will be cheaper, if you have them. Failing that, there are loans from high street lenders at half that rate. Pros: Unusually transparent pricing Triple glazing as standard for uPVC Cons:
