What timber windows cost in 2026
Timber is the premium frame material and the most expensive of the three. A timber casement window costs £900 to £2,000 fully fitted in 2026, roughly 60 to 110% more than the equivalent uPVC window. Switch the frame material to timber in the calculator above and you will see that uplift applied across whatever style and count you have set. A timber heritage sash, the kind period homes call for, runs to around £1,950 per window. You are paying for natural wood, traditional joinery and a frame that, if looked after, outlives every other option.
The case for timber rests on two things: appearance and rules. Nothing else has the depth, grain and authenticity of real wood, which is why it is the default for period restorations. And on a listed building or in a strict conservation area, timber is frequently the only material the planners will accept. The case against is the upkeep. Timber needs repainting or re-staining every 8 to 10 years to protect the wood and keep the guarantee intact, which is an ongoing cost and effort that uPVC and aluminium simply do not have. If you are choosing the style as well as the material, our guide to sash windows explained covers the traditional box-sash details that suit timber best.
| Material | Per window (casement) | Lifespan | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| uPVC | £400–£1,000 | 20–25 yrs | None |
| Aluminium | £550–£1,300 | 30–40 yrs | None |
| Timber | £900–£2,000 | 30–60 yrs | Repaint every 8–10 yrs |
Source: DATA.md material adjustment and lifespan tables. Timber is the dearest frame and the only one needing regular repainting.
When timber is the right call
Timber makes sense in a narrow but important set of cases. The clearest is a listed building or conservation area where you have no choice. The next is a period home where the owner wants an authentic restoration and is happy to budget for the repainting cycle. The third is the very long view: a maintained timber window can last 60 years, far beyond uPVC, so for a forever home the cost can spread across a lifetime.
Where it does not stack up is an ordinary modern home on a budget. There, the 60 to 110% premium over uPVC, plus a repaint bill every decade, is hard to justify when uPVC meets the same building regs for less. If that is your situation, price the value option with the uPVC window calculator or the slim modern alternative with the aluminium window calculator. And if budget is the real obstacle on an eligible home, our overview of double glazing grants sets out what help is still available in 2026, while the sash window calculator prices the period style most timber buyers actually want.
The verdict on timber
Timber is beautiful and long-lived, but it is dear to buy and dear to keep. Whether it is worth it comes down entirely to your home. For a period or conservation property it is often the only acceptable choice and a genuine asset. For a standard home on a budget, it is hard to justify over uPVC.
It depends Timber windows: it depends. A clear yes for period and conservation homes, a hard no for budget replacements.
Timber is the right answer when the planners say so or the house deserves it, and a properly painted hardwood frame will see you out. But people forget the repainting. Every eight to ten years you are up a ladder or paying someone who is. Go in with your eyes open on the upkeep, not just the sticker price.
Tom Bradley, FENSA-registered installer
Frequently asked questions
A timber casement window costs £900 to £2,000 fully fitted in 2026, roughly 60 to 110% more than the equivalent uPVC window. A timber heritage sash for a period home runs to around £1,950 per window.
Timber windows need repainting or re-staining roughly every 8 to 10 years to protect the wood and keep the guarantee valid. That ongoing cost and effort is the main downside of choosing timber over uPVC or aluminium.
Well-maintained timber windows last 30 to 60 years, the longest of any frame material. The catch is the word maintained: skip the repainting cycle and the lifespan falls sharply as the wood deteriorates.
There is no timber-specific grant, but the main 2026 energy schemes can help with the glazing cost regardless of frame. In England the Warm Homes: Local Grant offers up to £30,000 for eligible lower-income households in EPC bands D to G, and only around 15% of households qualify overall, so check eligibility first.