If your windows are twenty years old or more, if you you can feel a draught when it’s windy and water comes in when it rains, it’s time to think about new windows.
Wooden sash windows are very popular with householders who own Georgian, Edwardian, or Victorian properties. You’ll see them more on these types of properties.
Rather than being on hinges, sash windows slide up and down. There are normally two windows in a pane, and you can open the top window and the bottom window at the same time.
In this guide, we’ll tell you about the cost of replacing a window, what affects the cost of the replacement, whether you should repair or replace a window and how to find and hire a glazier. Finally, we’ll answer some of your frequently asked questions.
Topics
How Much Do Wooden Sash Windows Cost?
In the below table, we’ve given the average cost for the replacement of a sash window and the addition of double glazing and draught-proofing.
| Service | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Sash Window Replacement (with new frames) | £1,300 to £2,000 per window |
| Sash Window Replacement (without new frames) | £600 to £1,000 per window |
| Add Double Glazing to Existing Windows | £500 to £800 per window |
| Add Double Glazing to Listed Building | £600 to £1,000 per window |
| Draught Proofing | £300 to £400 per window |
Typical labour costs for a glazier are between £15 and £22 per person per hour, or £120 to £176. Glaziers work in pairs, so you have to take this into consideration when calculating costs.
The time required to fit a window is normally one to two days for terraced and semi-detached houses. In a detached home, installation can take two to three days.
When you need a glazier use HouseholdQuotes. Fill in our online form and we’ll find local glaziers to give you no-obligation quotes, fast.
Click To Get QuotesWhat Affects the Cost of Installing a Wooden Sash Window?
Several different factors can affect the cost of installing a wooden sash window.
Number of Windows
As you can see from the table one wooden sash window starts at around £1,300, so the amount of windows you are replacing affects the costs.
The average price for a two bedroomed terrace with seven windows is going to cost between £10,000 and £12,000 to replace all the windows.
Window Style
Sash windows come in various styles. You can have one piece of glass in the bottom pane and one in the top pane which is called a one over one.
You can have up to eight panes per window.
The most common types of sash windows are:
Georgian Style
Georgian style windows have the appearance of six small panes on each window, this makes it a six over six design. The glass is one piece, but each piece is separated by astragal bars, so it looks like six distinct panes of glass.
Edwardian Style
Edwardian style sash windows usually have a six over two design. This means that the glass is divided into six panels at the top (using astragal bars) and two panels at the bottom.
Victorian Style
Victorian style sash windows feature a two over two design. They have two panes at the top and two at the bottom. You should be able to tell the difference between a traditional Victorian window design and a modern, cheaper design by looking at the run-through horns.
Run-through horns are the mouldings that were used in the past to stop the pulley wheels from being smashed. They aren’t needed now because modern technology has other ways of making sure each window stops when it should but they are still used decoratively.
However, traditional Victorian run-through horns were created from the sash itself, so it was part of the wood. Modern cheaper designs now feature horns that clip onto a sash.
Plainer two by two windows are often cheaper than other styles.
Window Size
The window size also has a bearing on the cost of your window. For example, if you don’t have standard sized windows then you may have to pay more for custom-made sash windows.
If you have standard sized windows you can buy from any window manufacturers who sell wooden sash windows.
A small window will cost less than a large window. For example, a 600 x 900 mm window without a new frame will start at around £1,300 but a larger window of 1200 x 1200 will start at around £1,600.
Choice of Timber
The most common timber for a sash window is Accoya. Accoya is durable and comes with a guarantee against rot.
You can also have:
- Douglas Fir – Douglas fir is a light reddish-brown pine softwood. It’s used for timber windows and is cheaper than hardwoods.
- European Redwood – European redwood is a softwood with a light yellow-cream appearance. It’s also known as scots pine.
- Mahogany – Mahogany is a brown-red hardwood. It has a straight grain and stains well.
- Sapele – Sapele is a hardwood from West Africa. It is a reddish-brown colour with plenty of grain patterning.
- Oak – Oak hardwood is durable as well as beautiful. Oak is expensive because it takes a long time to grow so availability often outstrips demand.
- Red Cedar – Red cedarwood is a softwood that won’t warp or twist. It has an attractive reddish-brown colouring and it is very durable.
- Meranti – Meranti is a hardwood timber with a light yellow appearance and a straight grain.
The choice of wood will affect the prices as some woods are more expensive than others. For example, mahogany and oak are more expensive than Douglas Fir or European Redwood.
Choice of Glass
There are several choices you can make when you are thinking about the glass to put into your sash windows.
Double Glazing
The most common glass is double glazing low E glass. Double glazing helps to keep warmth in and noise out.
Acoustic Laminated Glass
This type of glass is ideal if you live on a street that has heavy traffic and tends to be noisy. It will reduce noise significantly.
Triple Glazing
Triple glazing will also reduce noise, but it is used mainly to increase thermal efficiency. If you live in a cold area triple glazing will help you keep your house warm.
Laminated Glass
If you have patio or bi-folding doors you may want to install laminate glass. This glass doesn’t shatter or break when it is damaged.
It means it offers safety and security because it is difficult to break.
Decorative Glass
Decorative glass is often used to enhance a window or door. The glass can be silvered, etched, tinted, or painted with ceramic paints.
Accessories
There are also accessories which you will need with sash windows. They can include:
Locks and Fasteners
Locks and fasteners for sash windows start at around £2 for a budget model. The average price is around £12 but you can pay more.
Sash Lifts
Sash lifts can be made from brass, bronze, nickel, chrome and more. The type of metal you choose will affect the price.
Chrome is one of the cheapest options with brass or bronze being the most expensive.
Window Limit Stops
Window stops and restrictors start at around £12, but the price will depend on what type of stop you choose.
If you want advice about security for your windows you should contact a locksmith. They can give you advice about the best types of window security to buy.
You can read more about the work a locksmith does in our emergency locksmith guide.
How Can I Save Money on Sash Windows?
You can buy a cheaper material for the windows. For example, rather than wood, you can have uPVC windows.
To fit a terraced home with nine windows in uPVC will cost on average, between £5,500 and £ 6,200, against between £10,000 and £12,000 for timber.
Make sure to compare prices. Contact local companies as they might be cheaper than large national companies.
Repair your windows if you can, rather than replacing them to save on supply cost.
When you need a glazier, use HouseholdQuotes. Simply fill out our online form and tell us briefly what you need.
We’ll then find glaziers in your area to give you no-obligation quotes for your window installation.
Click To Get QuotesShould I Repair or Replace My Sash Windows?
It depends on the condition of your sash windows. If they are in a very bad state of repair, you might be better off replacing them with new windows but if the condition isn’t too bad then you can consider repairs.
A company repairing sash windows can repair the frames, fix broken cords and locks, and replace the glazing. The glass can be upgraded to double glazing if required.
There are companies who specialise in sash window repairs. Search online at places like the FENSA website.
It’s a good idea to have your timber windows looked at every 10 years. You can then have any repairs carried out before they become too much of a problem.
You should expect to pay between £200 and £250 per window for a complete overhaul. Minor repairs start at around £25 and replacement glass panes may cost around £30 each.
If you have a problem with draughts, you can add some basic draught-proofing. You should be able to increase your thermal efficiency and save up to around £50 a year in energy bills.
You can expect to pay between £200 and £400 to draught-proof all the windows in an average-sized house.
How Do I Paint My Exterior Sash Windows?
With the window shut, rub the window down with a piece of fine sandpaper and wash away the dust from the window frame.
Now, use masking tape to protect the glass from paint marks. Apply a primer or an undercoat and wait for it to dry.
Sand the window once again to remove any dust.
Raise the bottom sash and lower the top sash.
Paint the astragal bars first, then the inner bars, and finally the bars on either side of the glass.
Lower the inner sash and paint the outer sash. Leave the paint to dry.
Once the paint is dry you can paint the surrounds and any exposed edges. Finally, paint the window sill.
Remove the masking tape when the job is finished.
How Do I Find and Hire a Window Installer?
It’s always a good idea to get a personal recommendation if you can. That’s why you should start your search by asking family, friends, and work colleagues.
Someone you know might be able to recommend someone they have used in the past, or someone they know personally.
You can also have a look at the FENSA website. FENSA registered glaziers will register your replacement windows with your local council and once your windows are installed, you’ll get a FENSA certificate.
Another trade association for Glaziers is CERTASS. A CERTASS registered Glazier is the same as a FENSA certified glazier.
The certificate is proof that your windows have been installed with a FENSA/CERTASS approved installer and that the work has been registered with your local council and it complies with building regulations.
Once you have the names of the glazier’s who are going to give you quotes you can check if they are FENSA OR CERTASS registered. Simply enter your postcode onto each of their web pages and a list of registered glaziers in your area will come up.
You can also use HouseholdQuotes. Simply fill in our online form and tell us briefly what you need.
We’ll then find glaziers in your area to give you no-obligation quotes.
Click To Get QuotesEnsuring the Professional Is the Right Fit
Try and make sure all your quotes give the same job scope because this will make it easier for you to compare them.
- Are you a member of a trade association? It might not matter if a person isn’t a member of a trade association but if they are, it usually means they have agreed to adhere to the standards set by the association and they have a good work record.
- Do have experience installing windows? You might want to know how long they have been installing windows.
- Do you charge for a callout, or have you got a minimum callout fee? If the job isn’t an emergency, then it is unlikely that a glazier will charge a call-out fee. Instead, you should be quoted a fixed price for the job. If you are calling out a glazier to replace glass in a broken window, then you can expect to pay higher than normal rates. They might charge a callout of anything between £25 and £100.
- Have you got a website or a portfolio with photos of your previous work and client testimonials? A website isn’t important, but if your tradesperson has one it can be useful. Ask if the website has photos of previous work and if there are any customer comments or testimonials. If they don’t have a website, ask them if they have a physical portfolio with photos or written recommendations from customers.
- Do you supply scaffolding? If you need to erect scaffolding to have your windows repaired this may be included in the quote. Find out, because if not, you will have to arrange the scaffolding yourself. Scaffolding for an average three-bed semi will cost between £650 and £850.
- Do you dispose of the old windows after you’ve installed new ones? The answer to this should be yes. Most good companies will do this for you. If they don’t then you may have to hire a skip. Skip hire depends on the size of the skip, but on average you should pay between £60 and £275.
- Have you got public liability insurance? Public liability insurance provides insurance cover to a tradesperson. All tradespeople should have public liability cover to protect them from negligence claims.
Final Checklist
Use the checklist below to make sure you take the best steps to hire a professional for the job:
- Check each of the windows to see if you have problems
- Decide how many windows you are going to replace
- Choose the type, timber, and style
- Take measurements for online quotes
- Use HouseholdQuotes to find Glaziers to give you quotes from home!
Click To Get QuotesFrequently Asked Questions
Do I Need Planning Permission for New Windows?
You will need Building regulation permission for glazing. All replacement glazing must comply with building regulation standards for thermal performance, ventilation, air supply, safety and means of escape.
If you use a glazier that has been approved under the Competent Person Scheme, all the building regulation paperwork can be avoided because it is done for you by the glazier. They are also able to issue a certificate showing the work has been carried out by a registered installer.
If you don’t use a registered glazier, you will need approval from your Local Authority building regulation department. They will need to visit your property to make sure building regulation compliance has been met.
If they are satisfied, they will then issue you with a certificate.
Do Wooden Sash Windows Add Value to Your Home?
How Much Do Hardwood Windows Cost?
If you want to know more about the cost of new hardwood windows, have a look at our guide.
How Long Do Wooden Sash Windows Last?
Can You Put Double Glazing in Sash Windows?
If you don’t have the depth, get a glazier to have a look and see if they can install a thinner glass with an efficient draught-proofing system.
Can You Replace Just the Window Sash?
My Sash Windows Won’t Open, Can I Have Them Repaired?
It could be that if the old pulley and sash cord is replaced with a new one then the problem will be solved.
Can You Replace Plastic Windows With Wooden Sash Windows?
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