uPVC Windows & Replacement Double Glazed Windows

uPVC or PVCu is a form of plastic and stands for Unplasticised Poly Vinyl Chloride. It is a long-lasting building material often used for window frames as a substitute for painted wood. It is also known as rigid PVC due to the fact that it is hard and not flexible. It is a resistant form of PVC that is often used for pipework and window frames. uPVC window frames have a galvanised steel core, which is what gives the material its incredible strength and durability. This prevents warping, rot and rust that may commonly affect other window materials.

Double glazing refers to the use of two panes of glass in a window, often filled with a gas such as argon between the panes to add as an insulator. The reason so many people choose double glazed windows is that it can make such a big difference to their home in terms of reducing heat loss and energy bills.

Double glazing has a number of benefits over single glazing. It is an ideal choice to improve your home’s energy efficiency, as the layer of insulation between the secondary glazing panels ensures maximum heat retention inside your home and minimum heat loss from the outside pane. This also reduces the noise pollution that enters your home.

In addition to noise insulation and saving on your energy bills, the double glazing cost could be a wise investment, as it may increase your property value.

Thanks to the strength and durability of uPVC windows, they can last for as long as 30 years when properly maintained. At Safestyle, we offer a 10 Year Guarantee on all our windows and doors. Do bear in mind though that, as windows age, the energy rating may be affected and coloured uPVC windows can fade in appearance.

We can't give you an exact figure for your window replacement cost, as there is no standard pricing and the cost of your replacement windows will depend on a wide variety of factors. These include your home, the specific window product and design you choose, the finishing options, such as sills, glazing, colours and handles, as well as the manufacturing quality and the time taken by our fitters to install your windows.

Our specially qualified advisors can discuss your window glass replacement and payment options so you get an accurate quote. You can also rest assured that you're getting the best cost, as our Price Promise guarantees we will beat any like for like genuine quotes. To find out more about our double glazing replacement cost, you can read our pricing guide here.

At Safestyle, we're proud to be the UK's number one installer, carrying out thousands of installations of window and door replacements every month across England and Wales. Our local fitters cover a huge area, meaning we're more local to you than you may realise. You can find Safestyle UK installations in your area for your window replacement right here.

We provide a wide range of replacement windows to suit all needs. You can choose between window sash replacement, which is ideal for more traditional and period properties, or replacement casement windows from our EcoDiamond™ range. There's also Tilt and Turn replacement windows which offer excellent flexibility. Whichever option you choose, you'll get peace of mind with our extensive 10 Year Guarantee on all our window products.

Yes, shutters can be added to uPVC windows. The shutter should be attached all around the recess of the window and we advise that you contact a specialist company to do so, as drilling could invalidate your guarantee.

uPVC is completely safe and non-toxic, as well as being highly regulated during its production process. Burning PVC can release dioxins, which can be harmful to the environment. That’s why, at Safestyle, we operate a recycling policy, with over 16,000 tons of materials recycled each year.

When it comes to deciding between uPVC, timber and aluminium, it can sound like a difficult decision to make. After all, uPVC would have a hard time sounding as sleek and sophisticated as its counterparts. However, it’s worthwhile noting the following:

- It won’t rot, swell or need repainting like wood, as it's weatherproof and low maintenance
- It’s much more thermally efficient than timber and even more so than aluminium
- uPVC is much more cost effective – both timber and aluminium demand a much higher price tag
- It’s much more weather resilient – both timber and aluminium suffer stress from the British cold elements

To keep your uPVC windows in the best condition, you should clean them around four times a year using warm water, washing up liquid and a sponge. You can find our guide on cleaning uPVC window frames here.

Condensation can sometimes occur between double glazing panels. This is caused by the sealant around the double glazed glass failing and allowing the warm air from inside your home to enter the air gap between panes. Condensation will then form as the surface temperature of the double glazed window is cooler than the room. If you see this, it is time to replace or upgrade your old windows.

At Safestyle, our windows are manufactured to the highest standards to stop any condensation, leaks or draught between the glass panes. Contact us today to get a quote on your replacement windows.

Much of the energy saving benefit is made in the jump from single glazed windows to A-rated double glazing. Whilst there are incremental savings to be made from double glazing to triple glazing, it is often in our experience not offset by the additional cost of triple glazed windows.

Our recommendation to our customers is that double glazing strikes the best balance between cost and the benefits of excellent thermal insulation, noise reduction and a positive energy rating. We would only recommend triple glazing for a few cases such as living close to a very busy road where there are advantages to their sound reduction.