uPVC vs timber vs aluminium windows: cost, lifespan and looks

White uPVC double glazed window in a brick wall

For most Shropshire homes outside a conservation area, uPVC is the best value: it costs about half the price of timber and needs almost no upkeep. Timber is the right choice for period houses, listed buildings and Article 4 streets, and it can outlast uPVC if you look after it. Aluminium sits in between on price and suits modern homes that want slim frames and large panes.

The rest of this guide sets out the numbers behind that answer.

The comparison at a glance

	uPVC	Aluminium	Timber
Typical price per window, fitted	about £450 to £800	about £700 to £1,500	about £900 to £2,000
Three bed semi, whole house	about £4,000 to £7,500	about £7,000 to £12,000	about £8,000 to £15,000+
Lifespan (FMB)	around 35 years	not stated by FMB	around 60 years if looked after
Maintenance	wipe clean	low	regular painting or staining
Look	chunkier frames, woodgrain options	slim, contemporary	traditional, can match originals
Best for	most post-war and modern homes	modern homes, large glazing	period homes, listed, Article 4 areas

Prices are 2026 estimates for standard size, double glazed casement windows, supplied and fitted. They are drawn from the FMB, Less.co.uk and Book a Builder cost guides. Shropshire prices tend to sit around the national average; we have not seen a published Shropshire-only figure. For more detail, see our window and door price guide.

Cost

uPVC is the cheapest frame by a clear margin. The FMB’s October 2026 figures put a uPVC casement at about £525 for a 600 by 900mm window and £670 for a 1200 by 1200mm one.

The same sizes in aluminium come out at about £700 to £870. In timber they are about £1,630 to £1,975, so timber runs roughly two to three times the uPVC price at FMB rates.

Style moves the price as much as material. A sliding sash costs about 50% more than a casement in the same material, and a bay window can cost double or more. Grey or woodgrain uPVC typically adds 10% to 15% over white, according to Everest’s guide prices.

VAT on new windows is charged at the standard 20%. HMRC lists double and secondary glazing as standard rated, so a quote claiming 0% VAT on glazing is wrong.

Lifespan and maintenance

The Federation of Master Builders says uPVC windows “last around 35 years on average, but this depends on the quality and upkeep”. It says timber windows “could last as long as 60 years if they’re looked after”.

That last phrase matters. Timber needs regular repainting or restaining and prompt repair of any rot, usually on the bottom rails and cills where water sits.

uPVC needs little more than a cloth, warm water and soap, according to the FMB. The trade-off is that a failed uPVC frame is normally replaced rather than repaired.

Traditional timber can last far longer when it is maintained. Cotswold District Council notes that many historic windows are over 100 or even 200 years old, which is why heritage officers push for repair before replacement.

Thermal performance

The frame material matters less than you might think, because every replacement window in England has to meet the same standard. Approved Document L sets a limit of a whole window U-value of 1.4 W/m²K, or a Window Energy Rating of band B or better.

The FMB says timber “delivers similar energy efficiency” to uPVC. It also notes that aluminium is a greater conductor of cold, so aluminium frames rely on their design to reach the required rating.

The practical advice is simple. Ask every installer for the U-value or energy rating of the exact window they are quoting, and compare like with like. If you are weighing up the glass as well as the frame, read our guide to double vs triple glazing.

Looks

uPVC frames and sashes are usually bulkier than timber, and the profiles are moulded rather than cut. Woodgrain foils and colours help, but up close most people can still tell.

Aluminium gives the slimmest sightlines, which is why the FMB describes it as delivering “a more contemporary look”. It suits large openings, flush casements and modern extensions.

Timber can be made to copy original glazing bars, mouldings and horn details exactly. On a Georgian or Victorian front, that is what keeps the house looking right.

Where each material suits

Modern and post-war homes

For most homes built from the 1950s onwards, uPVC gives the best balance of cost, upkeep and performance. Aluminium is worth the extra if you want slim frames or a contemporary finish.

Replacements that look similar to the existing windows are usually permitted development on a house, so no planning permission is needed. That comes from the Planning Portal’s guidance on doors and windows.

Conservation areas

A conservation area on its own does not ban uPVC. The bigger question is whether your house is covered by an Article 4 Direction, which removes the permitted development right to change windows.

Under Shropshire’s Article 4(2) Directions, the council says you normally need planning permission to replace windows or external doors on elevations visible from the public realm. Its guidance says “timber windows that match the original design are generally preferred” and “uPVC windows are unlikely to be supported” where they would harm the character of the area. Double glazed timber “may be acceptable”.

Bridgnorth is a good local example. The Bridgnorth Conservation Area Appraisal describes painted timber sliding sashes as characteristic of the town and names “UPVC or stained tropical hardwood instead of painted timber” as damaging replacements. Our conservation area guide covers which Shropshire streets have Article 4 controls.

Listed buildings

If your home is listed, you need listed building consent for significant works inside or out, according to the Planning Portal. In practice, councils rarely accept uPVC on listed buildings: Cotswold District Council’s guidance says uPVC “will not be considered acceptable”.

For listed homes, timber is the realistic choice, and repair with secondary glazing is often preferred to replacement. If you have original sashes, our sash window repair or replace guide compares the options and costs.

Which should you choose?

Choose uPVC if you want the lowest price and least upkeep on a house that is not listed and not in an Article 4 area.
Choose aluminium if you want slim frames, large glass or a modern look, and you are happy to pay roughly 25% to 35% more than uPVC.
Choose timber if your home is period, listed or in an Article 4 street, or if you want windows that can be repaired for decades rather than replaced.

Whatever you pick, make sure the installer is registered with a competent person scheme such as FENSA or CERTASS so you get a Building Regulations certificate. Our FENSA certificates guide explains why that matters when you sell.

Replacing your windows? Get a quote from a checked local installer.

Common questions

Which window frame material is cheapest?

uPVC. Typical 2026 prices are about £450 to £800 per standard casement window supplied and fitted, compared with about £700 to £1,500 for aluminium and £900 to £2,000 for timber. Prices vary with size, style and colour.

Do timber windows last longer than uPVC?

They can. The Federation of Master Builders says uPVC windows last around 35 years on average and that timber windows could last around 60 years if they are looked after. Timber needs regular painting or staining to get there.

Are aluminium windows less energy efficient?

Aluminium conducts heat more readily than uPVC or timber, but any replacement window you buy in England must still meet the Building Regulations limit of a U-value of 1.4 or Window Energy Rating band B. Ask for the rating of the exact window on your quote.

Can I have uPVC windows in a conservation area?

Often yes, if your house has no Article 4 Direction and is not listed, because similar-looking replacements are usually permitted development. Where an Article 4 Direction applies, Shropshire Council says uPVC is unlikely to be supported if it would harm the character of the area, so check first.