Cost Guide: Windows

Whether you’re self-building or renovating, the windows you specify will have a big impact on the house’s final aesthetic – so it’s worth spending plenty of time on the planning stages to ensure you get this part of your project right.

Buy cheap, buy twice is an apt adage in this market. Poor-quality designs will not only compromise the look, but they’ll also fall down in terms of durability and longevity. So it’s worth paying extra for a first-class product – and there are options across the board in terms of PVCu, softwood, hardwood and aluminium (plus composites, although we haven’t priced them here).

The standard of the manufacturing process can vary massively, both across the UK and abroad, so make sure you do your research. In the PVCu sector, for instance, the quality of the blending, extrusion, injection moulding, foil finishing, colour matching and other criteria will all make a significant difference to the lifespan and therefore future maintenance and replacement costs.

In the first instance, look at the obvious requirements. Does the manufacturer’s warranty extend to at least 10 years, for instance. It’s also important to check if it includes any cover on finishes and fittings. Do the products carry a BSI Kite Mark and have they been assessed by the British Board of Agrement (BBA)? Is the manufacture and supply carried out under the ISO 9001 quality management system?

The post Cost Guide: Windows appeared first on Build It.

Article reference Cost Guide: Windows