Window styles
Triple glazed fixed and picture windows
A fixed window has the best energy performance of any window type, because it has no opening gaps. In triple glazing, a big pane can weigh well over 100 kg, so we plan the delivery and lift, and use frames designed to carry the load.
Summary
A fixed or picture window does not open; it is one large pane in a slim frame, used to frame a view or bring in light. Triple glazing large fixed panes is effective because there is no opening sash to leak air, but the units are heavy and often need lifting equipment.
What you get
| Opening | Does not open (fixed), or combined with opening side lights |
|---|---|
| Frames | uPVC, aluminium, timber or alu-clad |
| Glass | Triple unit; toughened or laminated where safety glazing applies |
| Weight | About 30 kg per m² of triple glass |
| Installation | Glass lifters or a vacuum lifting frame for large units |
| Typical lead time | 4 to 8 weeks |
Guide prices
Guide prices per window, supply and fit, including removal of the old window.
Fixed window
uPVC, about 1500 x 1200 mm
£745 – £945inc VAT · £620 – £790 ex VAT
- Triple glazed throughout
- Old frames removed and taken away
- Fitted, sealed and made good
Large picture window
uPVC, about 2400 x 1500 mm
£1,295 – £1,695inc VAT · £1,080 – £1,410 ex VAT
- Triple glazed throughout
- Old frames removed and taken away
- Fitted, sealed and made good
Feature window
uPVC, about 3000 x 2000 mm, heavy lift
£2,295 – £2,895inc VAT · £1,910 – £2,410 ex VAT
- Triple glazed throughout
- Old frames removed and taken away
- Fitted, sealed and made good
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
- Rooms with a view
- Gable ends and stairwells
- Pairing with opening side windows for air
Think twice if
- Rooms that need an escape window or ventilation from that opening
- Sites with no access for lifting equipment
Options
- Combine with opening sashes either side
- Toughened and laminated safety glass
- Solar-control coatings for south and west faces
- Slim aluminium frames for maximum glass
- Shaped and raked-top panes
Safety glass and big panes
Glass near floors and doors must be safety glass under Approved Document K in England: glazing within 800 mm of the floor, and within 300 mm of a door edge up to 1,500 mm high. Large picture windows often fall into those zones, so the unit is specified with toughened or laminated panes where needed.
Solar gain on south and west faces
Triple glazing lets in less solar heat than double, which helps on sunny elevations in summer. For big south or west-facing panes we can add solar-control glass; on north-facing panes, a higher solar-gain unit usually makes more sense. See our guide to solar gain.
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 fixed and picture windows
Do fixed windows need trickle vents?
The room still needs ventilation. If the fixed window replaces one with vents, ventilation must be provided another way, for example a vented frame or an adjacent opener.
How heavy is a large triple glazed pane?
Roughly 30 kg per square metre with 4 mm glass, more with thicker or laminated panes. A 3 m by 2 m unit can weigh around 180 kg.
Can a fixed window be the escape window?
No. An escape window must open. We keep or add an opening window where one is needed.
Is a picture window worth triple glazing?
Big panes lose a lot of heat and can feel cold to sit near. Triple glazing keeps the inner pane warmer, which makes the space by the window more comfortable.
Related products
Aluminium windows
From £1,095Slim, strong frames with thermal breaks, for big panes and modern homes.
Learn more →
Sliding patio doors
From £1,895Big sliding panes in uPVC or aluminium, with heavy-duty rollers.
Learn more →
New builds and self-builds
From £11,195Window and door packages delivered and fitted to your build programme.
Learn more →
Passivhaus and EnerPHit
From £1,395Low-energy windows and installation details for certified and near-certified builds.
Learn more →Fixed and picture 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
Fixed and picture windows: get your guide price
Use the guide-price tool, or book a free survey for a written quote that fixes the price.