The double-glazing industry has suffered from a pretty bad reputation over the years mainly due to the high pressure selling techniques used by many companies that sell it. From door-knocking, to window offers too good to be true, it is difficult to know whom to trust and as importantly it is difficult to gauge whether you are in fact getting a good deal.
How much should new double glazed windows cost?
The first thing is that you should have a very approximate figure in your head so you have something to compare against.
So to give you a helping hand, we reckon an average sized uPVC sash window will cost about £700 to buy and install. A wooden sash window will cost about £1,400 again to install and fit. If you want a simpler double glazed uPVC window the price can be as low as £400 per unit.
We would always recommend getting windows installed professionally
We know there are some serious DIY enthusiasts out there – we speak to them on a daily basis, but to fit a double glazed unit is not easy. Please pay for a professional to do this – not only will they do it correctly, they will also be liable if anything goes wrong!
How to pick the best window installer
It is difficult to avoid double-glazing advertising on the TV or radio, with promises of massive energy savings and ½ price windows (indefinitely it seems), but in terms of picking an installer the first thing is to make sure they are either FENSA or CERTASS certified. If the window installer doesn’t fall under one of these two bodies – look elsewhere. That is our number 1 piece of advice!
Be aware that if you go with one of the big boys – Everest, Anglian, Safestyle, you are going to be paying more for your windows. That is not to say they are bad – in fact they are very good, but they can get away with charging more to install your new windows.
Don’t sign up to anything straight away!
One of the key selling techniques of a double-glazing company will be to try and get you to sign up to their offer by the time they leave the house. This will require you paying a huge deposit to secure the ‘deal of a lifetime’. Ignore their hard sales talk!
Get the salesman to leave the property and then let them know you will get in touch when you have made your decision. We really wouldn’t recommend paying any more than a 30% deposit too – so if they are pushing for more, tell them you will look elsewhere.
In the end you want to be sure you are getting good quality windows at reasonable value. Make sure you get multiple quotes for any double-glazing you are considering, definitely don’t go with the first company that you get to come round!
Think we missed something? Do you have a different opinion?
Comment below to get your voice heard…
Great article! great writing style and super informative!
Ensuring that you’re installer is has a wide and varied experience of installing replacement windows and doors is vital to ensure that you get a quality job on your home.
Nicely written a lot of information in one place. Our advice is shop around.
My new windows for loft does not has silver strip in between glass panels. I can only see black layer instead of rubber type ? Please advise
Hi Smi, that is quite normal – do not worry! Did you get a Fensa certificate?
Hi, thanks for this material. You wrote about some important stuff – small local installers are really unapprecieated.
Good post.. Stuff I haven’t thought of asking before. Thank u
Good post. Both choosing the right window as well as the best installer is a difficult task . I have experienced that while renovating my home. Finally I got the help of Clera Windows ,Canada . They are providing quality windows and doors with a lifetime warranty.
great job on the article, it’s really hard to chose from all these types.