Coloured uPVC windows cost roughly 20–30% more than standard white uPVC, while painted timber or aluminium can cost 50–100% more
Standard white uPVC windows are the most common choice for UK homeowners, but coloured finishes are growing in popularity. The price difference between white and coloured uPVC is relatively modest compared to the jump to painted timber or aluminium.
Coloured uPVC windows cost 20–30% more than standard white, adding £100–£240 per window. Foil laminate lasts 15–25 years, while spray paint lasts 5–10 years. Compare costs and finishes before buying.
- Coloured uPVC costs 20–30% more than standard white uPVC.
- Foil laminate lasts 15–25 years before fading or peeling.
- Spray-painted uPVC needs recoating every 5–10 years.
- Painted timber windows cost £1,000–£2,000 per window.
- Coloured uPVC sits between white and painted materials in cost.
- Coloured uPVC windows cost roughly 20–30% more than standard white uPVC, while painted timber or aluminium can cost 50–100% more
- The two main colouring processes for uPVC — foil laminate vs. sprayed paint — determine longevity and repairability
- Coloured uPVC windows have a lower U-value than painted timber or aluminium, making them the most energy-efficient option
- Quick numbers cost, lifespan, and energy performance comparison
- Planning permission is not normally needed for coloured uPVC windows, but conservation areas and listed buildings are exceptions
- The direct answer coloured uPVC windows are a durable, mid-cost option that outperforms painted timber and aluminium on energy efficiency and maintenance
- How to verify your coloured uPVC installer check MCS, FENSA, and TrustMark certifications
A standard white uPVC casement window (supply and fit) typically costs between £500 and £800 per window. Coloured uPVC, using a foil or laminate finish, adds a 20–30% premium, bringing the cost to £600–£1,040 per window (Checkatrade / FENSA member pricing data, 2026).
Painted timber windows are significantly more expensive, ranging from £1,000 to £2,000 per window. Painted aluminium windows sit between coloured uPVC and timber, costing £800 to £1,500 per window (Checkatrade / FENSA member pricing data, 2026). The key takeaway is that coloured uPVC sits in the middle of the cost spectrum — cheaper than painted materials but pricier than standard white.
The two main colouring processes for uPVC — foil laminate vs. sprayed paint — determine longevity and repairability
The method used to colour uPVC windows has a direct impact on how long the finish lasts and how easy it is to repair. There are two main processes: foil laminate and spray painting.
Foil laminate (also called “foiled” or “foil-wrapped” uPVC) involves bonding a thin coloured PVC layer to the white uPVC core under heat and pressure. This is a factory-applied process, not site-applied (FENSA installation guidance, 2026). Spray-painted uPVC uses a liquid paint (usually water- or solvent-based) applied to the surface of the window frame after manufacture. This can be done on-site or in a workshop (TrustMark paint specification guidance, 2026).
Foil laminates typically last 15–25 years before fading or peeling, while sprayed paint lasts 5–10 years before needing a recoat (British Plastics Federation technical bulletin on uPVC finishes, 2026). On repairability, foil laminates are harder to fix locally — a scratch or chip usually requires the whole section to be replaced. Sprayed paint can be touched up with the same paint (TrustMark guidance on window maintenance, 2026).
Coloured uPVC windows have a lower U-value than painted timber or aluminium, making them the most energy-efficient option
U-value measures how well a window retains heat — lower numbers mean better insulation. Coloured uPVC windows perform well on this metric, often outperforming painted timber and aluminium.
A modern coloured uPVC double-glazed window typically has a U-value of 1.2–1.4 W/m²K. By comparison, painted timber windows average 1.4–1.6 W/m²K, and painted aluminium windows (with a thermal break) average 1.6–2.0 W/m²K (DESNZ / Building Regulations Part L 2026 compliance data).
Coloured uPVC windows meet the 2026 Part L requirement for new-build and replacement windows (U-value ≤1.6 W/m²K) without additional glazing upgrades (GOV.UK Building Regulations Approved Document L, 2026). Painted timber and aluminium often require triple glazing or low-E coatings to achieve the same U-value, adding cost to the installation (DESNZ / Building Regulations Part L 2026 compliance data).
Quick numbers cost, lifespan, and energy performance comparison
| Window type | Typical cost per window (supply & fit) | Average lifespan before repainting/replacement | Typical U-value (W/m²K) | Annual energy saving vs. single-glazed (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White uPVC | £500–£800 | 20–30 years | 1.2–1.4 | £150–£200 |
| Coloured uPVC (foil) | £600–£1,040 | 15–25 years | 1.2–1.4 | £150–£200 |
| Coloured uPVC (sprayed) | £550–£950 | 5–10 years (paint) / 20–30 years (frame) | 1.2–1.4 | £150–£200 |
| Painted timber | £1,000–£2,000 | 3–5 years (paint) / 30–50 years (frame) | 1.4–1.6 | £120–£180 |
| Painted aluminium | £800–£1,500 | 10–15 years (paint) / 40–60 years (frame) | 1.6–2.0 | £100–£150 |
Planning permission is not normally needed for coloured uPVC windows, but conservation areas and listed buildings are exceptions
For most UK homes, replacing white uPVC with coloured uPVC of the same style and material is considered permitted development and does not require planning permission (GOV.UK Planning Portal, 2026). However, there are important exceptions.
In a conservation area, windows that are visible from the street may require planning permission if the colour change is “material” (Historic England / Local Authority planning guidance, 2026). For listed buildings, any change to the window colour or material (including coloured uPVC) almost always requires listed building consent (Historic England / GOV.UK guidance on listed building consent, 2026).
If you live in a flat or maisonette, planning permission is usually needed for any window replacement, regardless of colour (GOV.UK Planning Portal, 2026). The safest approach is to check with your local planning authority before ordering — a simple email with a photo and the proposed colour is usually enough (Planning Portal advice, 2026).
Understanding planning permission for window replacements
The direct answer coloured uPVC windows are a durable, mid-cost option that outperforms painted timber and aluminium on energy efficiency and maintenance
Coloured uPVC windows offer the same energy performance as white uPVC (U-value 1.2–1.4 W/m²K) while costing 20–30% more. They last 15–25 years without needing repainting, compared to 3–5 years for painted timber and 10–15 years for painted aluminium.
The foil laminate finish is more durable than spray paint but harder to repair; spray paint is cheaper and easier to touch up but needs recoating every 5–10 years. Planning permission is usually not required unless you live in a conservation area, a listed building, or a flat. For most UK homeowners, coloured uPVC is the most practical and cost-effective way to achieve a non-white window finish.
How to verify your coloured uPVC installer check MCS, FENSA, and TrustMark certifications
Choosing a certified installer ensures your coloured uPVC windows meet Building Regulations and gives you consumer protection. Three certifications are relevant for window installation.
FENSA is the main certification body for window installers in England and Wales. A FENSA-registered installer can self-certify that the window meets Building Regulations (FENSA / GOV.UK Building Regulations, 2026). MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) is required if the window installation is part of a heat-pump or solar-PV project — not needed for standalone window replacement (MCS / DESNZ guidance, 2026). TrustMark is a government-endorsed quality mark for home-improvement trades; look for a TrustMark-registered window installer for additional consumer protection (TrustMark / GOV.UK, 2026).
Gas Safe Register is not relevant for windows — do not confuse it with FENSA. Always check the installer’s certification on the FENSA or TrustMark website before paying a deposit, and ask for a written certificate after installation (FENSA / TrustMark consumer guidance, 2026).
How to check if a window installer is properly certified
Frequently Asked Questions
Coloured uPVC windows cost roughly 20–30% more than standard white uPVC. A white casement window at £500–£800 becomes £600–£1,040 per window for a coloured foil finish (Checkatrade / FENSA member pricing data, 2026).
Foil laminate bonds a coloured PVC layer to the uPVC core under heat and pressure, lasting 15–25 years. Spray painting applies liquid paint after manufacture and lasts 5–10 years before needing a recoat (British Plastics Federation technical bulletin, 2026).
Yes, you can spray-paint uPVC windows a different colour, either on-site or in a workshop. However, the finish typically lasts only 5–10 years before requiring a recoat (TrustMark paint specification guidance, 2026).
Foil-laminated coloured uPVC windows typically last 15–25 years before fading or peeling. Spray-painted finishes last 5–10 years before needing a new coat (British Plastics Federation technical bulletin, 2026).
No, coloured uPVC windows are cheaper than painted timber. Coloured uPVC costs £600–£1,040 per window, while painted timber ranges from £1,000 to £2,000 per window (Checkatrade / FENSA member pricing data, 2026).
