If you’ve started getting quotes for new windows, you’ve probably noticed something frustrating: the prices are all over the place. One company quotes £4,000, another quotes £9,000, for what sounds like the same job. It’s one of the most common questions we get asked at Design A View, and it’s one Lee Webber, our founder, has been answering for homeowners across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire for over 30 years.
There’s no single number that applies to every home, because window costs depend on far more than just the glass. Frame material, glazing type, number of windows, access, and even the age of your property all affect the final price. This guide breaks down real 2026 costs, the factors that push quotes up or down, and how to make sure you’re comparing quotes fairly rather than comparing apples to oranges.
Average Window Prices in 2026
As a rough starting point, here’s what homeowners are typically paying per window, fully fitted, in 2026:
- uPVC windows: £400 – £900 per window
- Aluminium windows: £700 – £1,500 per window
- Timber windows: £800 – £1,800 per window
- Triple glazing (any frame material): Add roughly 15-25% on top of the equivalent double glazing price
For a typical three-bedroom semi-detached house with 8-10 windows, that usually works out to somewhere between £4,000 and £9,000 for a full uPVC double glazing replacement, and considerably more for aluminium, timber, or triple glazing.
These figures are a helpful benchmark, but Lee is always upfront with customers: a quote you get for your specific property is the only number that actually matters. Two identical-looking houses on the same street can come out with very different prices once access, structural condition, and window style are factored in.
What Actually Affects the Price of Your Windows
Frame material
uPVC remains the most affordable option and suits the vast majority of UK homes. Aluminium costs more but offers slimmer frames and a more contemporary look, which is why we’re fitting more of it on modern extensions and renovations. Timber sits at the premium end, particularly for period and conservation-area properties where matching original joinery is expected.
Glazing type
Double glazing is now the standard minimum for UK homes, but triple glazing has become increasingly popular for north-facing rooms, homes near busy roads, or anyone chasing the lowest possible energy bills. It costs more upfront, and Lee’s honest advice to most customers is that the payback period through energy savings alone can be long – it’s often more about comfort and noise reduction than pure cost recovery.
Number and size of windows
This sounds obvious, but it’s the biggest single factor. Large bay windows, wide sliding sashes, or bespoke shapes cost more to manufacture and fit than a standard casement window of the same material.
Access and property type
A ground-floor window on a detached bungalow is straightforward. A third-floor window on a terraced house with no side access, or a listed building with restricted parking, adds labour time and sometimes scaffolding and that shows up in the quote.
Structural work
If a window opening needs to be widened, a lintel replaced, or brickwork made good, that’s additional cost on top of the window itself. This is one of the most common surprises homeowners run into with less experienced installers who don’t spot these issues at the survey stage. In 30 years of surveys, Lee has learned to flag structural concerns before work starts, not after the fitters have already begun. It avoids nasty mid-job cost increases.
Why Cheap Quotes Aren’t Always Cheaper
We regularly meet homeowners who’ve had a much lower quote from another company and want to know what they’re missing. Sometimes it’s a fair price for a smaller job. But often, low quotes come from:
- Thinner-spec profiles that don’t perform as well thermally
- Standard glazing units instead of higher-performance glass
- No allowance for making good plaster, brickwork, or trims
- Subcontracted fitting teams with less oversight of quality
A genuinely competitive quote should include the full scope: removal and disposal of old windows, making good internally and externally, FENSA certification, and a clear warranty. If any of that is missing or vague, it’s worth asking directly before you sign anything.
What’s Included in a Design A View Quote
Every quote from Design A View is based on an in-person survey of your property, not a guess from photos or a phone call. That’s a habit Lee has kept from decades of seeing jobs go wrong when installers skip this step. Our quotes include:
- Full removal and responsible disposal of your existing windows
- Making good internally and externally around each opening
- FENSA registration and certification for building regulations compliance
- Manufacturer’s guarantee plus our own workmanship warranty
- A clean, tidy site throughout, with dust sheets and daily clean-up
There’s no obligation with a quote, and we won’t push you toward the most expensive option if it’s not right for your home or budget.
How to Get an Accurate Price for Your Home
Online calculators and rough per-window averages are a useful starting point, but they can’t account for your specific property. The most reliable way to get an accurate number is a free, no-obligation survey, where we look at your existing windows, discuss what you want to achieve, and give you a written quote with no hidden extras.
If you’re planning new windows for your home in Stevenage, Hertford, Harpenden, St Albans, or the surrounding areas, book a free consultation with Design A View and get a straight answer on cost with 30 years of experience and FENSA approval behind every job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to replace all windows at once, or one at a time?
Replacing all windows in one project is usually more cost-effective per window, since it spreads scaffolding, access, and labour setup costs across the whole job rather than repeating them for each visit.
Do window prices include VAT?
Most reputable quotes, including ours, are VAT-inclusive. Always check whether a quote you’re comparing states this clearly.
How long does a full house window replacement take? For a typical semi-detached home, most installations are completed within 2-4 days, depending on the number of windows and any structural work required.
Will new windows increase my home’s value? Well-fitted, energy-efficient windows are consistently seen as a worthwhile investment by buyers and can support your home’s EPC rating, which increasingly matters at the point of sale.
