21/03/2026
Homeowners should be warned that the cost of double-glazed windows and doors could rise as a knock-on effect of the conflict in the Middle East.
uPVC—short for unplasticised polyvinyl chloride—is the most widely used material for window and door frames in the UK. Favoured since the 1980s for its durability and low maintenance, it remains the go-to option for most households.
At present, uPVC casement windows typically cost between £500 and £1,250 each, with installation fees adding around £600 per day for a two-person team. For a standard semi-detached property, a full replacement job is usually priced at about £4,500.
But increasing oil and gas prices are starting to push those figures higher. Disruptions to energy supplies and key shipping routes in the Middle East have kept oil prices elevated, with Brent crude still above $100 a barrel. This matters because uPVC is partly made from petrochemicals derived from crude oil.
With around 68% of replacement windows and doors using uPVC, rising oil costs quickly feed into manufacturing prices. The process of producing both uPVC frames and glass is also energy-intensive, meaning higher electricity and gas costs add further pressure. Transport costs are rising too, increasing expenses across the entire supply chain.
As a result, many of our competitors prices have already climbed by roughly 8% compared with pre-conflict levels. A job that might previously have cost £4,500 could now be closer to £4,800, depending on the specifications.
Looking ahead, further increases are likely if energy costs remain high. Experts suggest prices could rise by another 5% to 10%, adding roughly £20 to £50 per window, or £200 to £400 for a full-house installation.
Despite the rising costs, we are not adjusting our Trade prices in the foreseeable future, choosing instead to make cost saving measures in-house.
There is currently no sign of supply shortages and the industry has weathered recent disruptions, including the pandemic and earlier energy crises. However, prolonged instability could lead to longer waiting times and continued price fluctuations, so we are recommending customers move quickly to beat these increases.
For homeowners, replacing windows and doors is a major expense, and choosing the cheapest option can often mean sacrificing quality. Instead, it’s important to prioritise factors such as security, energy efficiency and long-term durability when making a decision on who to buy from.
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