Timber windows are the longest-lived window material available in the UK – outlasting uPVC by decades when properly maintained, and the only option approved by planning authorities for most conservation areas and listed buildings. But they come with higher upfront costs and an ongoing maintenance commitment that uPVC does not.
This guide covers everything you need to know before buying: verified pricing by window type and timber species, a 30-year lifetime cost comparison, the differences between softwood, hardwood, Accoya, and timber-aluminium composites, and what the May 2024 planning changes mean if you live in a conservation area.
Use our double glazing cost calculator to get an instant estimate, or compare quotes from FENSA-registered timber window specialists below.
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- Timber windows cost £600–1,400 per window - Premium hardwood or Accoya options can reach £2,000+ for larger installations
- Timber outlasts uPVC by 20-30 years - Properly maintained timber windows last 50–60+ years versus 20–35 years for uPVC
- Softwood saves 20–30% versus entry-level hardwood - Pine/fir options start at £600 while oak/mahogany begins around £950 per window
- Accoya commands a premium over standard timber - Modified wood offers a 50-year rot guarantee but increases costs significantly
- Timber-aluminium composites command a premium over pure timber - Combining materials reduces maintenance while adding weather protection benefits
How Much Do Timber Windows Cost in the UK?
Installed timber casement windows cost £600–£1,400 each; sliding sash windows cost £1,500–£4,000 depending on timber species and window size.
Timber window prices vary more than any other material because you are choosing not just a product, but a species, a manufacturing quality, and a maintenance commitment. A softwood casement and a hardwood Accoya sash can differ by a factor of five for the same opening.
All prices below are installed (supply and fitting by a FENSA or CERTASS-registered installer). They exclude VAT, which is charged at the standard 20% rate – double glazing and timber windows are specifically excluded from the 0% energy-saving-materials relief (GOV.UK VAT Notice 708/6, s2.23). London and the South East typically run 20–30% above these national averages.
| Window Type | Softwood Installed | Hardwood / Accoya Installed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casement (single) | £600–£950 | £950–£1,400 | Flush casement costs more than stormproof (lipped). Heritage flush casement at upper end. |
| Sliding sash (single) | £1,500–£2,500 | £2,000–£4,000+ | 30–50% more than equivalent casement due to mechanism complexity and specialist joinery. |
| Tilt-and-turn (single) | £800–£1,200 | £1,200–£1,800 | More common in contemporary or continental-style new builds than traditional UK homes. |
| Bay window (complete) | £3,000–£5,500 | £5,000–£8,000+ | Bespoke configuration – structural work may add further cost. Quote required. |
| Full house (3-bed semi, ~10 windows) | £10,000–£16,000 | Upper end assumes mix of casement and sash in hardwood specification. | |
Installation labour typically accounts for 30–40% of the total cost. The timber species you choose, the window mechanism, and any bespoke glazing requirements (heritage vacuum glazing, acoustic specification) drive the rest.
For a full breakdown of window costs across all materials, see our double glazing costs guide. To explore grants that may offset the cost, see our double glazing grants guide.
Timber vs uPVC vs Aluminium: Which Material Is Right for You?
Timber costs 50–200% more than uPVC upfront but lasts 50–60 years vs uPVC’s 20–35 years; over a lifetime, timber is financially competitive.
The comparison between window materials is rarely as simple as the upfront price suggests. A uPVC window installed today may need replacing within 25 years. A quality hardwood or Accoya timber window, properly maintained, can outlast two or three generations of uPVC replacements in the same opening.
| Material | Installed Cost (casement) | Lifespan | Maintenance | Conservation Approved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| uPVC | £350–£600 | 20–35 years | Wipe clean only | Rarely – usually refused |
| Aluminium | £600–£850 | 40–50 years | Minimal – occasional recoat after 20+ years | Sometimes (modern systems) |
| Timber (softwood) | £600–£950 | 50–60+ years | Repaint every 5–8 years | Yes – typically required |
| Timber (hardwood / Accoya) | £950–£1,400 | 50–60+ years | Repaint every 5–15 years (Accoya every 12–15) | Yes – preferred |
| Timber-aluminium composite | £1,200–£2,000+ | 60–83 years | Exterior: minimal. Interior: occasional wipe. | Case by case |
For homeowners weighing up whether to replace existing windows at all, our should I replace my windows guide covers the decision in full. If energy efficiency is a primary driver, timber performs well – but the glazing unit specification matters more than the frame material.
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Softwood vs Hardwood: Which Timber Should You Choose?
Softwood (pine/redwood) is 20–30% cheaper but requires repainting every 5–8 years; hardwood (meranti, oak) offers better durability with similar maintenance schedules.
Most UK timber window manufacturers offer windows in a range of species, each with different properties, costs, and maintenance profiles. The key distinction is not simply softwood versus hardwood – it is the specific species chosen and how it has been engineered (finger-jointed, kiln-dried laminated sections are significantly more stable than solid sawn timber).
| Species | Type | Durability Class | Cost Relative to Pine | Repaint Interval | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scots Pine / European Redwood | Softwood | Class 3–4 (moderate) | Baseline | Every 5–8 years | Standard range, cost-sensitive projects |
| Dark Red Meranti | Hardwood | Moderate-good | 20–30% more | Every 5–7 years | Best balance of quality and value |
| Idigbo | Hardwood | Good | Comparable to meranti | Every 5–7 years | Oak alternative at lower cost |
| Sapele | Hardwood | Good | More than meranti, less than oak | Every 5–7 years | Attractive interlocked grain; stable |
| European Oak | Hardwood | Class 2 (durable) | Most expensive traditional hardwood | Every 5–7 years | Heritage and conservation settings |
| Accoya (modified) | Modified softwood | Class 1 (very durable) | Premium over hardwood | Every 12–15 years | Low-maintenance premium; 50yr rot guarantee |
Scots Pine (European Redwood) is the industry standard for entry-level timber windows. When the heartwood is used – as George Barnsdale’s Redwood WoodHeart range specifically selects – it performs considerably better than general-purpose softwood. Heartwood has more natural resins and denser cell structure than sapwood, making it more resistant to rot and moisture penetration.
Dark Red Meranti is widely considered the best-value hardwood for windows. It machines well, is used as the standard hardwood option by manufacturers like Bereco, and costs significantly less than oak while offering comparable durability for most UK applications.
European Oak carries prestige and is often specified in conservation area applications where historic accuracy matters. However, oak tends to move more with moisture than other hardwoods – if it is not properly kiln-dried and laminated, this movement can stress and crack the coating system, leading to premature paint failure. Specify knot-free laminated oak variants for best stability.
What Is Accoya and Is It Worth the Premium?
Accoya modified timber carries a 50-year rot guarantee and needs repainting only every 12–15 years, saving £375–£525 per window in maintenance costs over 30 years.
Accoya is not a species of wood – it is a modification process. Radiata pine (a fast-growing, sustainably certified softwood) is impregnated under pressure with acetic anhydride, a vinegar derivative, which alters the cell structure of the timber at a molecular level. This is not a surface treatment: the modification goes to the core of every board.
The result is a timber that behaves completely differently from conventional softwood. It takes on the durability characteristics of the world’s most durable hardwoods while remaining FSC-certified and dimensionally stable. Accsys Technologies (the Netherlands-based company behind Accoya) backs it with a 50-year above-ground rot guarantee – longer than the expected lifespan of most uPVC windows.
The practical benefit for window owners is the paint system. Because Accoya absorbs almost no moisture, it barely moves with seasonal changes. Paint adhesion is dramatically better – repaint intervals extend to every 12–15 years instead of every 5–7 years for conventional timber.
| Factor | Traditional Hardwood | Accoya |
|---|---|---|
| Rot guarantee | 10–30 years (manufacturer-specific) | 50 years above ground (Accsys) |
| Repaint interval | Every 5–7 years | Every 12–15 years |
| Painting cycles over 30 years | ~6 cycles | 2–3 cycles |
| 30-year paint cost per window | £750–£1,050 | £375–£525 |
| Maintenance saving per window (30yr) | – | £375–£525 |
| FSC certified | Depends on supplier | Yes (Chain of Custody) |
George Barnsdale uses Accoya as standard for the most exposed components of their windows – external beads, linings, and cills – while using heartwood pine for the main frame sections. This hybrid approach captures most of Accoya’s maintenance benefits at a lower cost premium than full Accoya construction. Full Accoya windows are available on request.
For a 3-bedroom house with 10 windows, the maintenance saving from Accoya over 30 years – £375–£525 per window – amounts to £3,750–£5,250. That is a meaningful offset against the higher upfront cost, particularly when combined with Accoya’s superior rot resistance and the reduced disruption of less frequent decorating cycles.
Timber-Aluminium Composite Windows: The Best of Both Materials
Composite windows combine timber interior frames with aluminium exterior cladding, offering 60–83 year lifespans with virtually no exterior maintenance, at £1,200–£2,000+ per window.
Timber-aluminium composite windows solve the central tension of the timber window debate: they deliver the warmth and aesthetic of natural timber on the interior – where you see it every day – while presenting a weatherproof aluminium face to the exterior. The aluminium cladding protects the timber core from rain, UV, and temperature cycling, eliminating the exterior repainting requirement entirely.
The interior timber surface still benefits from occasional cleaning, but no exterior painting programme is required. For homeowners who want timber aesthetics without the maintenance commitment, composite windows are the answer.
| Brand | Origin | Stated Lifespan | Construction | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VELFAC 200 | Danish | Up to 60 years | Nordic FSC pine interior + aluminium exterior. Slim uniform sightlines. | £1,200–£2,000+ (quote required) |
| Rationel Aura Plus | Danish (est. 1954) | 83 years stated | Solid timber core + aluminium exterior. European window market leader. | Bespoke – quote required |
The 83-year stated life expectancy of the Rationel Aura Plus is the longest of any window system available in the UK market. At that timescale, a composite window installed today would still be expected to be performing in 2109 – outlasting three or four cycles of uPVC replacement windows in the same opening.
Composite windows are specified for Passivhaus and low-energy new builds where thermal performance, longevity, and minimal lifecycle environmental impact are priorities. Prices are bespoke and installer-specific – use our quote service to obtain competitive estimates from approved composite window installers.
Timber Window Maintenance Costs and Schedule
Professional repainting costs £125–£175 per window; a full house repaint costs £390–£1,520 depending on access requirements and number of windows.
The maintenance commitment is the most important factor to understand before choosing timber windows. Neglect is the primary cause of timber window failure – rot almost always begins where paint has broken down and moisture has penetrated the wood. Maintained timber windows last 50–60+ years; unmaintained ones can begin to fail within 10–15 years.
At minimum, timber windows need an annual wipe-down with a clean-and-care solution to remove dirt and debris from frame joints. Every 5–8 years (depending on species and coating system), a full repaint is required – preparation, priming, and topcoat.
| Maintenance Task | Cost per Window | Full House (10 windows) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual wash-down (owner) | Minimal | Minimal | Annual |
| Professional repaint (labour) | £85–£120 | £850–£1,200 | Every 5–15 years |
| Premium exterior paint + materials | £40–£55 | £400–£550 | Per repaint cycle |
| Full professional repaint (total) | £125–£175 | £390–£1,520 (incl. scaffolding) | Per repaint cycle |
| Draught-proofing / weatherstripping | £100–£200 | £1,000–£2,000 | Once, or every 15–20 years |
| Sash cord replacement | £150–£300 | As required | Every 20–30 years typically |
| Minor rot repair | £150–£400 | As required | Only if maintenance lapses |
Note: upper-floor windows require scaffolding or access equipment – this adds materially to the cost of a full house repaint. Winter painters (working November to March) often offer discounts of up to 30% because demand falls in the colder months, which can partially offset the access cost.
The 30-year lifetime maintenance comparison below shows why Accoya and composite windows change the economics of timber ownership significantly:
| Material | Repaint Interval | Cycles Over 30 Years | 30-Year Paint Cost Per Window | 30-Year Total (10 windows) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| uPVC | None | 0 | £0 | £0 |
| Timber (softwood pine) | Every 5–8 years | 4–6 | £500–£1,050 | £5,000–£10,500 |
| Timber (hardwood meranti/oak) | Every 5–7 years | 4–6 | £750–£1,050 | £7,500–£10,500 |
| Timber (Accoya) | Every 12–15 years | 2–3 | £375–£525 | £3,750–£5,250 |
| Timber-aluminium composite | Exterior: none | 0 (exterior) | £0 (exterior) | £0 (exterior) |
The 30-year maintenance gap between traditional hardwood timber and uPVC is £7,500–£10,500 for a 10-window house. This is a real cost that must be factored into any honest comparison.
However, it must also be weighed against the fact that a uPVC installation will likely need full replacement within that same 30-year period, at a cost of £5,000–£8,000 or more.
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Timber Windows in Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings
Since May 2024, replacing windows in a conservation area requires prior approval from your local planning authority; uPVC is routinely refused in favour of timber.
The planning rules governing window replacement in conservation areas changed on 24 May 2024. Under the revised permitted development regime, homeowners in conservation areas may now need to submit an application for prior approval before changing windows – work that previously did not require any consent. If you live in a conservation area, check with your local planning authority before ordering any replacement windows.
For listed buildings, the rules are more stringent and have not changed: Listed Building Consent is required for all work that affects the historic character of the building, and this includes window replacement of any kind. A listed building owner cannot replace windows without consent, regardless of whether the replacement is like-for-like.
Historic England’s position on material choice is unambiguous. The organisation identifies “unsympathetic replacement of windows and doors – usually PVC-U” as the main threat to the character of conservation areas. Proposals to replace original timber windows with uPVC double glazing are likely to be refused planning consent. Timber – or, in some cases, aluminium with very close visual match – is the required specification for conservation areas.
What planning authorities typically require in conservation areas:
- Replacement windows must closely match the appearance of the originals in material, proportions, and colour
- Timber is almost always required; very occasionally slim-profile aluminium is permitted where visual match is close
- Glazing bars must match original proportions if present in the original window
- For properties with traditional sash windows, sliding sash replacements are preferred over conversion to casement
- Article 4 Directions in some areas apply additional restrictions – check before proceeding
Energy efficiency in heritage buildings requires a different approach. Replacing single-glazed timber windows with double-glazed units is rarely approved in listed buildings, because the change alters the historic character of the building. The preferred routes to better thermal performance are:
- Secondary glazing – fitted internally, invisibly, without altering the historic window. Selectaglaze and specialist conservation suppliers provide conservation-appropriate units.
- Vacuum glazing – heritage-specification vacuum units as thin as traditional single glass (4mm–0.3mm–4mm) achieve double glazing thermal performance without the increased rebate depth of conventional double-glazed units. George Barnsdale offers this as part of their listed building service.
- Draught-proofing and weatherstripping – achieves approximately 30% of the thermal benefit of full window replacement at a fraction of the cost, and does not require consent.
Leading UK Timber Window Manufacturers
The leading UK specialist timber window manufacturers are Bereco (from £330 supply-only), George Barnsdale (est. 1884), and Mumford & Wood (est. 1954, bespoke pricing).
Unlike uPVC, where national installers such as Anglian and Everest supply the market, timber windows are predominantly supplied by specialist manufacturers with deep joinery heritage. The firms below represent the established end of the UK market and give a sense of what quality manufacture looks like.
| Manufacturer | Location | Since | Timber Options | Starting Price | Heritage Suitable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bereco | Rotherham, South Yorkshire | – | Redwood softwood; Dark Red Meranti; Accoya on request | From £330 (supply-only, softwood casement) | Yes – flush casement approved for conservation areas |
| George Barnsdale | Donington, Lincolnshire | 1884 | Redwood WoodHeart + Accoya components (standard); European Oak; full Accoya on request | Quote required | Yes – sliding sash for listed buildings; vacuum glazing available |
| Mumford & Wood | UK | 1954 | Premium bespoke – multiple species including Accoya | Quote required – bespoke manufacturer | Yes – specialises in sash and casement for period properties |
Bereco is the most accessible of the three for homeowners wanting published pricing transparency. Their standard softwood casement starts from £330 supply-only – though installed prices, regional costs, and specification upgrades will move the final figure significantly. Their flush casement range is approved for use in conservation areas and listed buildings.
George Barnsdale, founded in 1884 and still family-run, has one of the most sophisticated timber specification approaches in the UK market. Their standard construction uses Redwood WoodHeart for main frame sections – specifically selecting heartwood – while using Accoya as standard for exposed components such as external beads, cills, and linings.
This hybrid approach captures most of Accoya’s maintenance benefits without the full-Accoya price premium. They offer a nationwide project management and installation service, making them viable for projects outside Lincolnshire.
Mumford & Wood operates at the premium bespoke end of the market, established in 1954. They specialise in sash and casement windows for heritage and period properties, and supply only via their own installation network. Pricing is by quotation only.
Anglian Home Improvements also offers timber flush casement windows as part of their national installer range, providing an accessible route to timber windows with the backing of a large company warranty programme. See our Anglian windows review for a full assessment, and our best double glazing companies guide for a broader comparison.
How to Get the Best Value on Timber Windows
Getting three or more quotes from FENSA-registered specialists helps you secure the most competitive price; never accept same-day offers or sign contracts at the first meeting.
Timber windows are a considered purchase. The decisions you make at the specification stage – species, mechanism type, glazing specification, factory vs site-applied coating – determine your costs and maintenance commitments for the next 50+ years. Take the time to get this right.
Define your specification before inviting quotes. Know whether you want casement or sash, softwood or hardwood, and approximately how many windows you need. Changing your specification mid-quote process makes it impossible to compare prices accurately. If you are in a conservation area, confirm planning requirements with your local authority before approaching manufacturers.
Get at least three quotes. Pricing in the timber window market varies considerably between manufacturers and installers. A quote from a national installer, a regional specialist, and a direct-from-manufacturer supply-only quotation will give you a genuine sense of the market. Comparing multiple quotes consistently secures better pricing than accepting the first offer you receive.
Check credentials carefully. Your installer should be FENSA or CERTASS registered – this is the legal minimum for replacement windows and ensures you receive the required Building Regulations compliance certificate. Ask to see examples of previous timber window installations and check manufacturer warranty terms in detail. A 10-year manufacturer warranty plus extended rot protection (Bereco offers this) provides meaningful peace of mind on a long-life product.
Timing matters. Window installation companies are typically busiest from spring through early autumn. Scheduling work in October to February, when installers are less busy, can often secure a better price, and winter painters may offer up to 30% off for decorating work booked in the quieter months.
Do not sign at the first meeting. UK consumer law requires traders to give you at least 14 days to cancel a contract signed away from business premises. Any installer who pressures you to sign on the day or offers a price that is “only available today” is using a sales tactic – not offering a genuine discount. Walk away.
If noise reduction matters too, see our guide to soundproof windows.
