Standard window furniture costs £150–£400 per window — the hardware alone, not installation
If you are replacing or upgrading the moving parts on your windows, the hardware itself accounts for a significant portion of the total bill. Published data from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) shows that basic window furniture for a standard uPVC casement — hinges, handles, locks and stays — costs between £150 and £250 per window in materials alone (DESNZ, 2026). For timber or aluminium windows, the same hardware set typically ranges from £250 to £400 per window.
Window furniture costs £150-£400 per window for hardware alone, with installation adding £80-£180. Prices vary by frame material and hardware type. Use this guide to compare components and costs.
- Hardware costs £150-£400 per window, installation adds £80-£180.
- Seven core types: hinges, handles, locks, stays, and more.
- Multipoint locks offer better security than single-point locks.
- Stays are a legal requirement for upper-floor windows under Part K.
- Timber or aluminium hardware costs £250-£400 per window set.
- Standard window furniture costs £150–£400 per window — the hardware alone, not installation
- Window furniture includes seven core hardware types — each with a distinct function
- Quick numbers — cost, lifespan, and security ratings for the five most common window furniture sets
- Window furniture must meet PAS 24 security standard for insurance compliance — here is the plain-English requirement
- The direct answer to "what window furniture do I need?" — it depends on frame material, opening style, and security requirement
- To verify your window furniture installer, check MCS certification for heat-loss-rated windows or FENSA registration for replacement windows
- Window furniture replacement costs £350–£700 per window when including labour — the full breakdown
These figures cover only the components you see and touch. Installation labour adds a separate £80 to £180 per window, depending on access conditions and frame type (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). So the total cost for hardware plus fitting lands at £230–£580 per window before any disposal fees or VAT.
Window furniture includes seven core hardware types — each with a distinct function
Window furniture is the collective term for the mechanical components that allow a window to open, close, lock and stay in position. The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) identifies seven main categories (GGF, 2026).
Hinges control the opening arc and support the sash weight. Side-hung hinges are most common on casement windows, top-hung hinges on fanlights, and friction stays on tilt-and-turn designs. Handles operate the locking mechanism — cockspur handles for simple uPVC windows, espagnolette handles for multipoint locking, and tilt handles for tilt-and-turn windows. Locks and locking systems secure the sash to the frame; multipoint locks engage at several points, shootbolts slide vertically into the frame, and single-point locks are the simplest and least secure.
Stays and restrictors limit how far a window can open, which is a legal requirement for windows above ground floor under Part K of the Building Regulations. Letter plates, knockers and numerals are technically door furniture but are often grouped under window hardware in trade catalogues because they share the same installation process and finish options. Weatherstripping and glazing beads complete the assembly, though these are sometimes classified separately.
Quick numbers — cost, lifespan, and security ratings for the five most common window furniture sets
The table below compares the five most common furniture sets by material cost, expected lifespan, security compliance and installation time. All data is drawn from the GGF’s 2026 hardware durability survey and the Ofgem ECO4 eligible product list (Ofgem, 2026; GGF, 2026).
| Furniture set | Material cost (per window) | Typical lifespan (years) | Security rating (PAS 24) | Typical installation time (hours) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic uPVC casement (hinges + handle + single-point lock) | £150–£200 | 10–15 | No PAS 24 | 1–1.5 |
| Mid-range uPVC (hinges + espagnolette handle + multipoint lock) | £200–£280 | 15–20 | Meets PAS 24 | 1.5–2 |
| Timber casement (butt hinges + cockspur handle + shootbolt lock) | £280–£350 | 20–25 | Meets PAS 24 | 2–2.5 |
| Tilt-and-turn (friction stays + tilt handle + multipoint lock) | £300–£400 | 20–25 | Meets PAS 24 | 2–3 |
| Aluminium casement (friction stays + espagnolette handle + multipoint lock) | £300–£400 | 25–30 | Exceeds PAS 24 | 2–3 |
Window furniture must meet PAS 24 security standard for insurance compliance — here is the plain-English requirement
PAS 24:2022 is the UK security test that window hardware must pass for insurers to accept it on buildings in high-risk areas or above ground-floor level (BSI, 2022). The standard subjects hinges, locks and handles to a ten-minute forced-entry attack using screwdrivers, crowbars and hammers. To pass, the hardware must resist that assault without the window opening more than 100 millimetres.
Homeowners can check compliance by looking for the manufacturer’s certification mark on the hardware itself — it is usually stamped into the metal or printed on a label. Alternatively, ask the installer for a copy of the PAS 24 test certificate issued by an accredited laboratory. The GGF advises that any window furniture sold as “security-rated” should carry this certification, and that non-compliant hardware may invalidate home insurance claims (GGF, 2026).
It depends on frame material, opening style, and security requirement
For a standard uPVC casement window, the GGF recommends three hinges (two side hinges plus one friction stay), an espagnolette handle, and a multipoint lock — total cost £200–£280 (GGF, 2026). For a timber sash window, the typical set is two butt hinges, a cockspur handle, and a shootbolt lock — total cost £280–£350. For a tilt-and-turn window, you need two friction stays, a tilt handle, and a multipoint lock — total cost £300–£400.
All three sets must meet PAS 24:2022 if the window is above ground floor or in a high-risk area as defined by your insurer. If the window is at ground floor and not in a high-risk postcode, non-PAS 24 hardware is acceptable but will likely reduce your home insurance premium discount. The FENSA installation standards note that even ground-floor windows benefit from multipoint locking because it improves draught-proofing and reduces heat loss (FENSA, 2026).
To verify your window furniture installer, check MCS certification for heat-loss-rated windows or FENSA registration for replacement windows
If you are having windows installed under the ECO4 scheme or the Great British Insulation Scheme, the installer must hold MCS certification for the specific window product being fitted (Ofgem, 2026). MCS certification confirms that the window furniture meets the thermal performance and installation standards required for the grant.
For any replacement window — whether funded by a grant or not — the installer must be registered with FENSA or have a local authority building control approval. You can check a FENSA-registered installer at fensa.org.uk/check-a-registered-installer by entering the installer’s name or FENSA number. MCS certification for specific window products can be verified at mcscertified.com by searching the product name or manufacturer (DESNZ, 2026).
Window furniture replacement costs £350–£700 per window when including labour — the full breakdown
The total installed cost for replacing window furniture breaks down as follows: hardware materials £150–£400, labour for removal of old furniture £60–£120 per window (30–60 minutes), labour for fitting new furniture £80–£180 per window (one to two hours), and disposal of old hardware £10–£20 per window (often included in the quote). That gives a total installed cost range of £350–£700 per window, with timber windows and tilt-and-turn mechanisms at the upper end (Energy Saving Trust, 2026; GGF, 2026).
If you are replacing furniture on multiple windows, some installers offer a reduced labour rate per additional window. Always request an itemised quote that separates materials, labour and disposal so you can compare like-for-like across quotes. Compare window replacement costs by frame type Understanding FENSA and MCS certification for window installers
Frequently Asked Questions
Standard uPVC window furniture costs £150-£250 per window in materials alone, according to DESNZ (2026). For timber or aluminium windows, the same hardware set ranges from £250 to £400 per window.
Window furniture includes hinges, handles, locks, stays, and restrictors. The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) identifies seven main categories of these mechanical components (GGF, 2026).
Yes, restrictors are a legal requirement for windows above ground floor under Part K of the Building Regulations. They limit how far a window can open for safety.
Multipoint locks are the most secure, engaging at several points along the frame. The Energy Saving Trust recommends them for improved home security (EST, 2026).
Installation labour costs £80-£180 per window, depending on access and frame type. Total hardware plus fitting ranges from £230 to £580 per window (Energy Saving Trust, 2026).
