Cheap uPVC windows are well-chosen windows: a simple layout, white colour, a system and glazing that suit the building, bought without showroom and installation markups. Price differences between quotes come mainly from the profile system, the glazing, the number of opening sashes, the colour and the extras. You save most on layout and extras, and cutting insulation pays off least.
Cheap uPVC windows: what makes up the price
A window's price is the sum of several components. The table shows what raises and what lowers the cost in each. We don't give amounts because they depend on sizes: the configurator shows the price of your own set.
| Component | Raises the price | Lowers the price | |---|---|---| | Profile system | deeper profile, centre seal (MD), aluminium cladding | 76 mm profile with outer seals (AD) | | Glazing | triple glazing, safety, acoustic or solar control glass | double glazing where it is enough | | Layout and opening | more sashes, balcony doors, tilt and slide, lift and slide | fixed panes, one sash instead of two | | Colour | the same colour on both sides | white in the base price, or colour outside only | | Hardware and extras | concealed hinges, roller shutters, fly screens | visible hinges, extras only where needed | | Transport | a single window | a full set of windows on one rack | | How you buy | showroom and fitted package | online, fitted by your own installer |
Each component is explained in more detail in how much windows cost without fitting. Here we focus on where saving makes sense and where it comes back as a cost.
Where to save without losing quality
- Layout. A fixed window is the cheapest, and each sash adds hardware and seals. In a wide window, one sash plus a fixed pane costs less than two sashes. An opening sash must be at least 450 mm wide, so a narrow window won't take two sashes anyway.
- Colour. White is in the base price. If you want colour, choose it outside only with a white interior: from the street it looks the same as colour on both sides.
- Extras. Order roller shutters, fly screens and concealed hinges where you really need them. Decide on a top-mounted shutter before measuring, because the box adds to the window's height.
- Order size. Transport is charged per rack space according to the delivery country, so with several windows its share per window drops. We recommend at least 2 windows or one lift and slide door.
- How you buy. Buying online, you pay for the product and settle the installation separately with a fitter of your choice.
Where a cheap window ends up costing more
The cheapest systems are 70 mm deep and take double glazing only: Kömmerling 70 AD has a Uw from 1.33, VEKA 70 from 1.32. The next step, 76 mm AD profiles, goes down to a Uw of 0.81. In Germany, rules for replacing windows in residential buildings (GEG) require a Uw no higher than 1.3, so the cheapest systems miss that limit. Before you pick the cheapest profile, check the requirements in the country where you're building. How to read Uw is explained in our article on the Uw value.
The second trap is sizing. Our windows are made to measure, so there is no 14-day right of withdrawal for them (Article 16(c) of Directive 2011/83/EU). The most expensive window is the one you have to order twice. Over 29 years and more than 5,000 orders, the two mistakes we've seen most are the opening size given as the frame size and the opening side described from outside. That's why we check sizes, opening sides and descriptions with every quote and send a drawing for approval before production.
The third is installation. Even a good window loses insulation if it's fitted badly, and the 2-year GALI warranty doesn't cover damage from incorrect installation.
How to check the price in the configurator
1. Open the window configurator and choose a system. Start with a 76 mm profile, then switch and compare the price of the same project. 2. Choose the glazing and see what moving from double to triple glazing costs. When each makes sense is covered in our article on double and triple glazing. 3. Set the colour and extras, then add your windows. Change one window to a sash plus fixed pane and see the difference. 4. In the summary, send the set for a quote. You'll get it with transport within 3 working days.
The price updates after every change, so in a few minutes you'll see which decisions cost the most. We're also upfront: if a cheaper system is enough for your home, we'll say so in the quote. The full list of profiles is on the uPVC windows page.