Window shopping is important

If you’re thinking of updating the exterior of your home, make sure you do it right

If the windows in your home have seen better days, it might be an idea to start with the glazing, then consider if uPVC or wooden frames are the right choice.

Lots of properties have single glazing but many homeowners are unaware of the benefits of double glazing.

These include making the home warmer, less draughty and less prone to condensation with the added bonuses of a decrease in heating bills, a smaller carbon footprint and less external noise.

Try inputting your details into the energy savings calculator on the Glass and Glazing Federation’s website at www.myglazing.com/ggf-energy-savingscalculator to see what kind of savings you could make by fitting energy-efficient windows.

Wooden windows do need to be maintained – once paint or varnish starts to crack, chip or flake off, the wood becomes vulnerable to the elements.

This can lead to rot and if left untreated for long enough, it will start eating away at the wood, which can be terminal. uPVC windows can also deteriorate over time, to the point where they look dated, discoloured and shabby, and they are rarely painted.

Some companies offer “posh” uPVC windows with a wood-like effect that come in lovely colours. These provide the aesthetic benefits of wood without the ongoing maintenance problems.

While these windows may offer the best of both worlds, they can be very expensive and are often a long-term investment so be sure they are right for you.

Standard uPVC windows tend to be much cheaper than their wooden counterparts. However, they don’t have the beauty and authenticity of wood, which, providing it’s sourced sustainably, is a more environmentally friendly choice.

If you can afford them, wooden windows usually last much longer and so offer much better value for money in the long run.

Many 19th Century houses still have the original wooden sash windows, whereas uPVC windows often look tired and dated after around 20 years.

When it comes to listed buildings, wooden windows are usually the only option permitted by local councils (unless the building was originally listed with another type of window) and similar rules apply on “designated land”, such as conservation areas.

Houses in conservation areas often have their permitted development (PD) rights removed (flats and maisonettes don’t have PD rights) so planning permission is required for external alterations, including replacement windows.

In this case, the local council will usually specify that new windows should be made of wood, especially at the front of the house, although other materials may be acceptable at the back.