Question 1

How much should I actually pay for uPVC windows in London?

Accepted Answer

Typical fitted cost in London is £550-£1,200 per window depending on size, glazing spec, and sash style. A whole-house 8-window job usually costs £6,000-£12,000 fitted by a FENSA-registered installer. Quotes from national firms like Anglian can be 2-3x higher because they build in sales commission and finance APR margins.

Question 2

Do I need planning permission to replace windows in a conservation area?

Accepted Answer

Usually yes if you are changing material or appearance (e.g. timber sash to uPVC). Like-for-like timber-to-timber replacement often falls under permitted development, but Article 4 directions in Richmond, Chiswick and parts of Ealing remove that right. Always check with the Local Planning Authority before ordering.

Question 3

What U-value do new windows need to hit in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Building Regs Part L requires replacement windows to achieve 1.4 W/m²K or better for whole-window U-value, or WER band B. Modern aluminium and uPVC systems easily exceed this, casement windows typically achieve 1.2 W/m²K and tilt-and-turn can reach 0.84 W/m²K.

Question 4

Is triple glazing worth it in London or is double enough?

Accepted Answer

Double glazing with warm-edge spacer and argon fill (around 1.2 U-value) is the cost-effective sweet spot for most London homes. Triple glazing (0.5-0.8 U-value) pays back slowly unless you are near airport flight paths, targeting Passivhaus, or in an exposed position.

Question 5

uPVC vs aluminium, is aluminium actually worth the extra money?

Accepted Answer

Aluminium typically costs 40-80% more than uPVC. Justified for slim sightlines, large openings, contemporary aesthetic and 25+ year lifespan. uPVC wins on thermal performance per £ and is the better value choice for traditional casement shapes. For conservation areas, Heritage uPVC with flush sash is often the compromise that planning officers approve.

Question 6

How long does a full house window replacement take?

Accepted Answer

Typical 8-10 window semi-detached: 2-3 days on site fitting. Lead time from order to install is 4-8 weeks for uPVC and 6-12 weeks for aluminium or heritage. Each individual window is fitted in 1-2 hours so the house is never fully open, professional fitters always work one opening at a time.

Question 7

Which areas of London does Apex Glazing serve?

Accepted Answer

Apex Glazing is based in Isleworth and serves a 20km radius covering Richmond upon Thames, Twickenham, Kingston upon Thames, Teddington, Hampton, Chiswick, Kew, Barnes, Mortlake, Brentford, Hounslow, Ealing, Hammersmith, Fulham, Putney, Wimbledon, Sheen, Surbiton, and Weybridge.

Apex

Exceptional glazing for those who build with vision.

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Sunnyfield,
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Garth Road,
London

Somersby,
London