How much does a new window cost?
Once in a while, your windows need to be replaced. Age, lousy glass, or damage can make you make this decision. Whether you want to replace all of your windows or just some, you will have to deal with costs. These costs depend on the type of window, the material you choose, and the kind of glass. Here you can read about how much you will spend on average for replacing your windows, which factors influence the price, and how you can keep the total cost as low as possible.
The cost of new windows
The most frequently chosen window types are a fixed window, a tilt and turn window, a drop window, and a sliding window. The materials for the windows are usually plastic, wood, and aluminum. The following table shows the average prices per window type, material, and square meter. That includes VAT and insulating glass, but excluding installation. The table gives the price per square meter of different kinds of windows.
| Type of window and material | Price per square meter |
| Fixed window: plastic | £80 - £160 |
| Fixed window: wood | £120 - £200 |
| Fixed window: aluminium | £200 - £290 |
| Turn-tilt window: plastic | £130 - £230 |
| Turn-tilt window: wood | £200 - £230 |
| Turn-tilt window: aluminium | £330 - £410 |
| Bottom window: plastic | £150 - £230 |
| Bottom window: wood | £200 - £300 |
| Bottom window: aluminium | £350- £430 |
| Sliding window: plastic | £560 - £645 |
| Sliding window: wood | £645 - £730 |
| Sliding window: aluminium | £830 - £1,000 |
| Installation costs | £100 - £800 per square meter |
The kind of window:
The type of window you choose will significantly affect the price: the more complicated the mechanism, the more expensive the window. A fixed window cannot be opened and is the cheapest option. You often find these in the living room Tilt-and-turn windows can, as the name suggests, turn and tilt so that you can open the window ajar for ventilation or open it completely. The mechanism is complicated, so you pay more for this. Bottom windows are especially suitable for adequate ventilation, and you will often find these in the bathroom or toilet. If you opt for a sliding window, you have chosen the most expensive option. That is because they contain a lot of hinges and locks. However, sliding windows are efficient because you will never be bothered by objects on the windowsill when you want to open the window.
The material:
The most common materials are plastic, wood, and aluminium. Each has its price and characteristics. For example, plastic is the cheapest choice. Plastic insulates well and is available in many colours.
A disadvantage of plastic is that you are stuck with your choice of colour until you replace the windows again and that it is sometimes said that plastic lacks character. That can be solved by choosing wooden windows.
Wood has many characters and is easy to paint. The insulation value is also good, and the cutting is. If you choose wood, you must maintain it regularly. Finally, aluminium is an option.
That is the most expensive material and the most costly to install, but it is also firm and durable. With aluminium windows, you give your home a modern look.
The glass:
Are you planning to have a large part of your windows replaced? Then it is worth checking whether you have a budget for high-efficiency glass. The money you invest in it now can be recouped because you will have less heating costs. If you replace 20 square meters of double glass with HR ++ glass, this can amount to £250 per year. However, if you only want to replace a small portion of your windows, it is best to choose the same glass as the rest of your windows. The following table shows the costs per square meter of glass, including the insulation value and savings. The most installed glass at the moment is HR ++ because the price-quality ratio is the best here.
| Type of glass | Price per m 2 | U value | Energy savings per m 2 of glass per year |
| Double glass | £50 | 2.7 | £5 |
| HR | £60 | 1.7-2.0 | £8 |
| HR + | £60 | 1.3-1.6 | £10 |
| HR ++ | £65 | 1.2 | £10 |
| HR +++ | £5 | 0.5-0.9 | £10 |
Keep costs low:
Depending on your choices, the price for a new window can increase significantly. Here you can read how to keep this as low as possible.
Quantity discount:
It is always worth finding out whether the neighbours also want to have new windows installed. The larger the job you offer, the more favourable the average price.
Choose a local professional:
The installation prices can increase, for example, due to scaffolding rent or call-out costs. If you choose a local person, you ensure that you keep the call-out costs as low as possible and have someone with all the necessary connections at hand.
Insulating glass:
If you replace a large number of windows, view the high-efficiency glass option and calculate how much you will save and how long it will take to recoup the costs.
A few more tips:
Finally, here are several valuable tips for finding the right windows:
● Do not choose your window supplier purely based on the suggested price. That price (usually excluding VAT) rarely corresponds to what you expect to get back for this.
● Be well informed about the price consequences of the various options.
● If the price is significant to you, feel free to ask if there are cheap alternatives. Some traders do not do this spontaneously for fear of offending the customer.
● Always check your quotation carefully (number of windows, window types, ventilation grilles or shutters, color). If you do not understand something completely, ask. Because if something comes to light during the measurement, it is too late, and you suddenly have a severe additional cost.
● Do not choose your window supplier purely based on the suggested price. That price (usually excluding VAT) rarely corresponds to what you expect to get back for this.
● Be well informed about the price consequences of the various options.
● If the price is significant to you, feel free to ask if there are cheap alternatives. Some traders do not do this spontaneously for fear of offending the customer.
● Always check your quotation carefully (number of windows, window types, ventilation grilles or shutters, color). If you do not understand something completely, ask. Because if something comes to light during the measurement, it is too late, and you suddenly have a severe additional cost.