Costed: the ins and outs of prices for doors and windows

The UK market for doors and windows is large, mature and evolving. Windows and doors are supplied to a variety of markets including domestic home improvement, public sector housing renovation, housebuilding and commercial/non-housing. The upgrading of existing buildings is expected to play a key part in reaching climate targets. Research shows that the UK’s housing stock will need to reach at least EPC band C by 2031, but 71% of homes, including more than four million social housing units, do not yet meet this standard. Measures including replacing doors and windows will be critical to improving performance.

Specifiers must consider several factors, including thermal efficiency (U value), solar gain (G value) and air leakage (L value). The British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC) combines these in the WER rating (Window Energy Rating) to show how well a window performs. It is also important to consider acoustic performance (especially for premises near roads or flight paths) and aesthetics: for instance, in conservation areas double glazed sashes can be considered as well as secondary glazing.

The UK market is characterised by strong competition and a fragmented supply structure. Lead-in times have lengthened and prices ­increased due to challenges with raw materials supply and it is unclear how long these issues will remain. The following rates include the supply and hang of doors and windows, complete with all frames, architraves, typical medium standard ironmongery set and appropriate finish.