Sliding sashes have the widest price range of any window on this site, and it comes down to one decision: uPVC or timber. For sliding sash windows the typical range runs from about £900 for one uPVC vertical slider to £15,000 for a whole house of double glazed timber sashes. Same opening, same look from the pavement, very different bills.
Typical sash window prices
Typical sliding sash window costs in Hampshire, supplied and fitted
| Job size | What it usually covers | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small | One uPVC vertical slider | £900–£1,800 |
| Typical | Three to five uPVC sashes, or one or two timber sashes | £3,200–£7,000 |
| Large | Whole-house set of double glazed timber sashes | £7,000–£15,000 |
uPVC or timber?
uPVC vertical sliders use spiral balances inside the frame and cost far less. They suit Edwardian and 1930s houses and homes where the original sashes are already gone. Timber sashes, with cords and weights and slim glazing bars, cost much more and last as long as they are maintained. They are the usual choice where the council or a listed-building consent expects a like-for-like match.
- uPVC vertical sliders. Lower cost, no repainting, reasonable thermal performance. Frames and meeting rails are chunkier than timber.
- Timber sashes, new. Slimmer profiles and a better match to the original. Cost more and need repainting every few years.
- Timber sashes, repaired. Overhauling existing sashes, replacing cords and adding draught-proofing can cost less than new frames and keeps the original joinery. This does not give you new double glazing.
- Slimlite or heritage double glazing. Narrow sealed units fitted into existing timber sashes sit between repair and full replacement.
What moves the price
- Number of openings and how many are on upper floors
- Glazing bars. Real or simulated bars add cost
- Horns, which are the small decorative ends on the lower rail of the top sash on Victorian styles
- Colour. White is cheapest
- Access and scaffolding for tall townhouse fronts
- Whether the box frames and linings are being replaced or kept
Rules to check first
Sash windows are where planning rules bite most often. In a conservation area, or on a listed building, replacing sashes in a different material or style may need consent, and the council can ask for like-for-like. Winchester's historic centre, many of the market towns and the older parts of Portsmouth and Southampton all have conservation areas, and the rules differ from street to street. Check with the local planning department before you order, and never assume that a rule that applied next door applies to you.
On uPVC sashes, ask what balance is fitted and how it is serviced. On timber, ask about cords and weights versus spring balances. The balance is what makes a sash feel light for twenty years or heavy after five.
Checks before you sign
- Whether the quote is for uPVC or timber, and whether the sashes are double glazed
- How the old box frames will be handled
- Consent for any change in a conservation area or on a listed building
- Sign-off through a competent person scheme such as FENSA
- Guarantee on the frame, finish and glazing
If your sashes sit in a bay, the bay window cost guide covers the structure above. Buying a period house that needs sash work? See the guide to buying with old windows, and use the cost calculator for the rest of the house.
Frequently asked questions
How much do sash windows cost in Hampshire?
As a guide, one uPVC vertical slider costs about £900–£1,800 fitted, a handful of uPVC sashes around £3,200–£7,000, and a whole house of timber sashes up to roughly £15,000.
Are uPVC sash windows allowed in a conservation area?
It depends on the council and the street. Some areas have Article 4 directions or expect timber, so check before you order rather than after.
Is repairing sash windows cheaper than replacing them?
Often, yes. Overhauling the sashes and adding draught-proofing can cost less than new frames, though it does not give you modern double glazing unless the sashes are also reglazed.
How long do timber sash windows last?
Well-kept timber sashes can last for decades, and many original ones are still going. They need repainting and occasional cord or balance repairs.
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