Windows by frame material
Triple glazed timber windows
Timber is the traditional choice and still the one many planning officers prefer on older homes. Modern engineered timber is laminated from layers glued with the grain alternating, which keeps frames straight, and factory paint or stain systems last far longer than site painting. Expect a longer lead time than uPVC.
Summary
Triple glazed timber windows are made from engineered (laminated) timber, which resists warping, and glazed with a three-pane sealed unit. Timber is a natural insulator, so a deep timber frame with triple glass can match or beat uPVC on heat loss while keeping a traditional look.
What you get
| Frame | Engineered softwood or hardwood, laminated |
|---|---|
| Finish | Factory-applied paint or stain, any colour |
| Glass | Triple unit, argon filled, two low-e panes |
| Typical whole-window U-value | About 0.8 to 1.1 W/m²K |
| Maintenance | Re-coat every several years, as advised by the maker |
| Typical lead time | 6 to 10 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)
£1,295 – £1,595inc VAT · £1,080 – £1,330 ex VAT
- 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)
£1,795 – £2,195inc VAT · £1,495 – £1,830 ex VAT
- 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)
£2,695 – £3,395inc VAT · £2,245 – £2,830 ex VAT
- 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
- Period homes and character properties
- Conservation areas where timber is expected
- Owners who like a natural material
Think twice if
- Anyone who wants no maintenance at all
- Tight timescales, because timber takes longer to make
Options
- Flush casement, storm-proof casement and sash
- Any paint colour, dual colour inside and out
- Putty-style beads and slim astragal bars
- Brass, chrome or black ironmongery
- Acoustic and laminated glass
Engineered timber and triple glass
A triple unit is heavier than a double unit, so the sash has to be deep and stiff. Engineered timber is laminated from three or more layers with the grain alternating, which stops twisting and shrinking. We specify sash sections and hinges to suit the unit weight, rather than fitting triple glass into a frame sized for double.
Looking after timber windows
Factory finishes are applied in controlled conditions and last much longer than site paint. Inspect the paint each year, wash the frames, and re-coat when the maker advises, typically every several years depending on exposure. Your handover pack includes the maintenance guide for the system fitted.
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 timber windows
Are timber windows warmer than uPVC?
They can be. Timber insulates well, and a deep timber frame with triple glass reaches whole-window U-values around 0.8 to 1.1, similar to good uPVC.
How long do timber windows take?
Usually 6 to 10 weeks from survey because each window is made to order and finished in the factory. We never quote less than 5 weeks for timber.
Can I get triple glazed timber sash windows?
Yes, though not every sash design can take a full-thickness triple unit. Where the box and sash sizes limit the unit, we tell you the U-value you will actually get.
Do timber windows need planning permission?
Replacing like-for-like windows on a house is normally permitted development, but conservation areas, Article 4 directions and listed buildings have their own rules. See our planning guide.
Related products
Flush casement windows
From £845Sashes that sit flush in the frame, like traditional timber windows.
Learn more →
Sash windows
From £1,295Vertical sliding sashes for Victorian and Georgian homes, where the design allows.
Learn more →
Period homes and conservation areas
From £1,295Heritage-style frames, and straight advice on what your council will accept.
Learn more →
Alu-clad timber windows
From £1,395Warm timber inside, a weatherproof aluminium shell outside.
Learn more →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
Timber windows: get your guide price
Use the guide-price tool, or book a free survey for a written quote that fixes the price.