How the two options compare on authenticity, upkeep and cost — and what your property may dictate.
Sash windows are the one product where the material choice is as much about the building as the budget. Get it wrong on a period property and it shows from the street.
This guide compares timber and uPVC vertical sliders on the points that decide it.
On authenticity and heritage acceptability:
On upkeep and value:
If your property is listed or in a conservation area, the permitted material may be decided for you. Confirm with your local authority before ordering anything — replacing consented windows with the wrong material is an expensive mistake to unwind.
We'll price timber and uPVC on the same openings and tell you what we think suits the building.
Modern vertical sliders use spiral balances and tilt for cleaning. The operation feels different from cords and weights but is easier to use and maintain.
That's a judgement for your local market, and we won't invent a figure. What we will say is that appropriateness to the building matters to buyers of period property.
Sometimes, sometimes not — it depends entirely on the local authority's position. Ask them before you order.