How To Get The Best Price on Sash Windows?

How Much Do Sash Windows Cost?

Sash windows are one of the most expensive types, but they offer a traditional style that is highly appreciated in the UK and increased home value. Most period homes with Edwardian, Georgian, and Victorian styles feature these frames. You can preserve the value and aesthetic of traditional homes by finding replacement windows that match the original style.

• Sash windows are priced according to style, material and installation difficulty.
• Generally, double-hung sash windows are around 20-40% more expensive than single-hung windows.
• Installation costs can represent 40-60% of the total price of sash windows. This includes labour, transportation, fitting and the cost of removing old windows.

Here are some typical price ranges for sash windows, without including installation costs:

Material	Single Hung	Double Hung
uPVC	£500-£700	£750-£1,050
Composite	£763-£1,150	£975-£1,365
Aluminium	£742-£1,000	£1,170-£1,500
Timber	£1190-£1,540	£1,428-£1,848

The Federation of Master Builders provides the following cost ranges, which include installation labour. However, their pricing is not broken down for single-hung and double-hung windows:

• uPVC = £719-£1,159 per window
• Aluminium = £1,178-£1,674 per window
• Timber = £1,612-£2,356 per window

Each material has pros and cons. uPVC is the most cost-effective frame material, while timber is the most expensive.

• uPVC windows are more affordable, costing 2-3 times less than timber windows.
• Timber windows can last more than 50-60 years with proper care, while uPVC windows last around 25 years in a best-case scenario. Timber windows also add more home value, which makes them a good option if you plan to sell your home.
• Both frame materials are energy efficient, offering high insulation.

We have discussed how much you can expect to pay for sash windows, but should you install them? Now we will discuss their technical features, including their pros and cons.

Sash Windows: Overview and Main Features

Sash windows open by sliding vertically or horizontally, depending on how the window is designed. This configuration has many advantages, but also technical limitations.

• Single-hung windows have one moving sash, while double-hung windows have two moving sashes.
• You can also find specialty sash windows with three or more moving panes.

Pros of Sash Windows

Efficient Ventilation – Sash windows make it easy to ventilate your home under different weather conditions. This is especially true for double-hung windows: you can create two openings by opening both sashes partially from the top and bottom, improving air circulation.

Value – Sash windows are considered stylish, which makes them very popular in traditional homes. If you own a period home (Edwardian, Victorian or Georgian), installing another type of window can actually lower the value of your property.

Security – These windows have multi-point locking systems and tracks to prevent them from being forced open. Many of them also feature thick and heavy frames, which are more difficult to break into.

Energy Efficient – Sash windows have large frames, which allows the use of double glazing with 14-16mm spacing between glass panes. Thanks to this feature, double-glazed sash windows can achieve a high thermal resistance. They reduce summer heat gain and winter heat loss, helping you save on energy bills all year long. Single-hung sash windows are slightly more efficient, since one of their sashes is fixed in place and completely sealed. However, double-hung sash windows often include weatherstripping to prevent air leakage around the second moving sash.

Easy to Clean – If you choose double-hung sash windows, you can clean the external surface of both panes from inside your home. This feature is especially useful in multi-story homes and apartment buildings. Traditional single-hung windows cannot be fully cleaned from inside, but some newer models have a tilting mechanism than makes this possible.

Cons of Sash Windows

Sash windows also have some drawbacks, starting with their cost.

Price – Sash windows are one of the most expensive options, only surpassed by bay and bow windows. Sash windows can be 2-3 times more expensive than casement windows. The following table compares the price of uPVC windows of different styles and materials:

Window Type	uPVC Average Cost	Aluminium Average Cost	Timber Average Cost
Sash	£719-£1,159	£1,178-£1,674	£1,612-£2,356
Casement	£372-£961	£744-£1,147	£1,147-£1,829
Tilt & Turn	£589-£713	£930-£1,434	£1,434-£2,286

Thick Frames – While large frames offer numerous advantages, they are not suited to every home. If you have a modern home with thin walls or inset windows, the thick frames of sash windows may look out of place on your wall.

Single Hung vs Double Hung Sash Windows

Sash windows are sold with one, two or more moving panes. Single hung sash windows are more cost effective, but they don’t offer the same advantages as double hung sash windows.

Single Hung – Single hung sash windows have one moving sash, offering medium ventilation. Thanks to their simpler design, they are around 10-20% cheaper than double hung windows. Generally, the bottom sash is designed to slide up and down while the top sash remains fixed. The main disadvantage of these windows is that their outer surface cannot be cleaned completely from inside, making them a better option for ground floors. However, some single hung sash windows have a tilting mechanism on their moving pane, which allows full cleaning from inside your house.

Double Hung – Double hung sash windows feature two moving sashes. You can open one of the sashes completely, or you can open both of them partially from the top and bottom. This versatile design allows improved ventilation compared with single-hung sash windows. These windows can also be fully cleaned from inside, making them ideal for upper floors.

In many cases, choosing between single and double hung sash windows is personal preference. However, double hung windows offer improved ventilation and easier cleaning, especially in multi-story homes.

Are Sash Windows Right for You?

Like in any home design decision, sash windows have pros and cons. Generally, sash windows are a good option in the following cases:

• You have a traditional home with Edwardian, Georgian or Victorian style.
• You intend to sell your home and want to install windows that add value.
• You want to add value to your home for other reasons.
• You appreciate the style and don’t mind the higher price.
• You need to clean your windows from the inside on a top floor.
• You want maximum ventilation without exposing your windows to the elements.
• Your home requires additional security.
• You don’t have enough space to swing windows in or out.
• You want low-profile glazed windows with sliding panes.

Getting a Good Deal on Sash Windows

Sash windows are one of the most expensive styles: you should take your time to compare multiple options and find a good deal. In most cases, you can save money by shopping around and doing your research before meeting with salespersons.

Compare Window Offers– Take the time to compare at least three different quotes. You cannot get a 100% accurate quote until an installer inspects your property, but you can get a good idea of how much you can expect to pay. Make sure that costs like debris removal, disposing of old windows, travel, and insurance are included in the quote. Also check if the window provider is not including extra features you have not requested.

Research Your Options– You should know what you want and how much it should cost before you walk into any sales appointment. Many double-glazing salesmen will use high-pressure tactics because they are paid on commission. Get familiarized with window costs and don’t accept any overpriced offers or “same-day deals”. Choose your window style, frame material and glazing type before calling a sales representative so they won’t talk you into buying something more expensive.

If you take the time to find a great deal on sash windows, you can save a few thousand pounds while getting a better return on investment. You can use our free tool to find and compare quotes from top rated double glazing installers in your area.

We request competitive quotes on your behalf and send you the top 3. The service is completely free with no obligation, and we can delete your information from our system on your request.

Our users have saved up to 37.5% on their new sash windows. Fill in the form to compare your options.