Windows by frame material
Alu-clad timber triple glazed windows
Alu-clad timber is common on self-builds and low-energy homes because it pairs a deep insulating timber section with an outer skin that needs almost no upkeep. It is the most expensive frame type here, and lead times are the longest, so it suits planned projects more than urgent replacements.
Summary
Alu-clad (aluminium-clad) timber windows have a structural timber frame inside and a powder-coated aluminium cladding outside, glazed with a three-pane unit. You get the look and insulation of timber in the room and a low-maintenance, weatherproof aluminium face to the weather.
What you get
| Inside | Engineered timber: oak, pine or painted |
|---|---|
| Outside | Powder-coated aluminium cladding, any RAL colour |
| Glass | Triple unit, often with wide cavities |
| Typical whole-window U-value | About 0.7 to 1.0 W/m²K |
| Maintenance | Outside: wash only. Inside: as for interior joinery |
| Typical lead time | 8 to 12 weeks from survey |
Guide prices
Guide prices per window, supply and fit, including removal of the old window.
Small window
about 600 x 1000 mm (bathroom, landing)
£1,395 – £1,795inc VAT · £1,160 – £1,495 ex VAT
- Alu-clad timber frame, triple glazed, warm-edge spacers
- Removal and disposal of the old window
- Fitted, sealed and made good inside and out
Medium window
about 1200 x 1200 mm (bedroom)
£1,895 – £2,395inc VAT · £1,580 – £1,995 ex VAT
- Alu-clad timber frame, triple glazed, warm-edge spacers
- Removal and disposal of the old window
- Fitted, sealed and made good inside and out
Large window
about 1800 x 1200 mm (lounge)
£2,995 – £3,695inc VAT · £2,495 – £3,080 ex VAT
- Alu-clad timber frame, triple glazed, warm-edge spacers
- Removal and disposal of the old window
- Fitted, sealed and made good inside and out
Guide prices, supply and fit. The written quote after your survey fixes the price for the specification shown; anything extra is agreed with you first.
Is it right for your home?
A good fit for
- Self-builds and deep retrofits
- Homes in exposed or coastal spots
- Owners who want timber inside without repainting outside
Think twice if
- Quick, like-for-like replacements on a budget
- Very small jobs, where the premium is hard to justify
Options
- Tilt and turn, casement and fixed lights
- Matching entrance and lift-slide doors
- Oak, larch or painted interiors
- Any RAL colour outside
- Low-energy installation with airtightness tapes
Where alu-clad makes sense
The cladding protects the timber from rain and sun, so the outside never needs painting, while the timber does the insulating. That combination is why alu-clad frames appear on so many low-energy builds. It also costs more: our guide sits above timber and well above uPVC.
Fitting for low heat loss
A high-performance window can be let down by the fitting. For alu-clad and low-energy jobs we agree the fixing position, insulation and airtightness tapes before the windows are ordered, and record the installation details for your files.
Building Regulations by nation
| Nation | Replacement windows | Sign-off |
|---|---|---|
| England | 1.4 W/m²K, or a Window Energy Rating of band B or better | Competent person scheme or building control |
| Wales | 1.4 W/m²K, or a Window Energy Rating of band B or better | Competent person scheme or building control |
| Scotland | 1.6 W/m²K | No building warrant for a straight replacement; must meet the standards |
| Northern Ireland | 1.6 W/m²K, or a Window Energy Rating of band C or better | No building notice for a straight replacement; must comply |
Full regulations guide, with sources →
Questions about alu-clad timber windows
Is alu-clad timber worth the extra cost?
It is for many self-builders and people planning to stay for decades, because the outside needs almost no upkeep and the timber inside looks warm. For a quick replacement on a typical semi, uPVC or aluminium give better value.
How long do alu-clad windows take to make?
Typically 8 to 12 weeks from survey, sometimes longer for big projects.
Can I choose different colours inside and out?
Yes. The aluminium can be any RAL colour and the timber inside can be natural, stained or painted.
Do alu-clad windows suit Passivhaus builds?
Many alu-clad systems are designed for low-energy homes. If you need Passive House Institute certified components, ask and we will price systems that hold that certification.
Related products
Passivhaus and EnerPHit
From £1,395Low-energy windows and installation details for certified and near-certified builds.
Learn more →
New builds and self-builds
From £11,195Window and door packages delivered and fitted to your build programme.
Learn more →
Timber windows
From £1,295Engineered timber frames, factory finished, for period homes and natural looks.
Learn more →
Tilt and turn windows
From £795Inward-opening windows that tilt to vent and turn to clean.
Learn more →Alu-clad timber windows by area
England
- Bedfordshire
- Berkshire
- Bristol
- Buckinghamshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Cheshire
- Cornwall
- County Durham
- Cumbria
- Derbyshire
- Devon
- Dorset
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- East Sussex
- Essex
- Gloucestershire
- Greater London
- Greater Manchester
- Hampshire
- Herefordshire
- Hertfordshire
- Isle of Wight
- Kent
- Lancashire
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Merseyside
- Norfolk
- North Yorkshire
- Northamptonshire
- Northumberland
- Nottinghamshire
- Oxfordshire
- Rutland
- Shropshire
- Somerset
- South Yorkshire
- Staffordshire
- Suffolk
- Surrey
- Tyne and Wear
- Warwickshire
- West Midlands
- West Sussex
- West Yorkshire
- Wiltshire
- Worcestershire
Scotland
Alu-clad timber windows: get your guide price
Use the guide-price tool, or book a free survey for a written quote that fixes the price.