At the Door and Window Experts Website, we’ve long understood the enduring attraction of timber windows and doors. But should you have them in your home and are timber windows worth the money?
Yes, timber windows are absolutely worth the money. There is simply no substitute for real wood windows. The look, the feel, warm-to-the-touch, highly insulated in both thermal performance and acoustics, and above all their quality. The businesses selling PVCu or aluminium windows will forever go on about how timber windows need maintenance and we’ll explain why this is not altogether true.
The popularity of modern windows and doors designed to mimic the look of wood—highlights the high esteem in which we all hold real timber windows. So why choose the original when so many convincing replicas exist? Below, we give you a convincing case that indeed, timber windows are worth the money for many homeowners.
The benefits of buying timber windows
Timber has always been the material of choice for conservation and listed buildings. Its ability to blend seamlessly with traditional architectural features—like Victorian, Edwardian, or Georgian styles—makes it particularly appealing for property owners looking to preserve historical character.
Modern engineering, manufacturing and design has now brought timber windows to the main new and replacement window market and it’s no longer a window for period homes, listed buildings and conservation areas.
When choosing timber for your new windows, you have a choice of pretty much everything that’s available with aluminium windows or PVCu. Side or top hung casements, fixed windows, picture window, floor-to-ceiling or tilt and turn or sliding. All of these window opening types are available with wood windows. Just like PVCu or aluminium windows, timber is highly insulated – often better than other materials – while security and weather tested. Colour options and greater, glass options and designs also plentiful and there’s a choice of contemporary or classically styled windows and doors.
What truly sets timber windows apart, though, is their authenticity, warmth and visible craftsmanship. It is the way windows are made that sets them apart from other materials. No mechanical silicone joints with aluminium, no welded joints with PVCu. Even the best timber look windows in PVCu can’t fully replicate the tactile and visual appeal of real wood.
Why timber windows are an excellent investment
Choosing timber windows is often an outstanding way to enhance a property’s value and authenticity. That said, it can depend on your house type, personal circumstances, and future plans.
Period Properties
Certain house types in areas synonymous with period houses, whether Edwardian or Victorian, or those older still and listed or preserved will have their original windows. It’s unlikely any one renovating a period home in parts of London, Cheltenham, Bath, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire or any other county with period buildings would contemplate replacing their windows with PVCu or aluminium. And estate agents we’ve spoken with confirm that a period home with timber windows is far more attractive to a prospective buyer. Even the best timber look windows in PVCu don’t get as close as the real wood window.
Property Value
When it comes to property value, timber windows have long been seen as a premium choice. They’re often specified in upmarket refurbishments, and estate agents frequently highlight timber features when marketing a home. Rather than a liability or maintenance headache, quality wood windows can be viewed as a key selling point, signalling craftsmanship and attention to detail, not just for the windows, but quite likely, the use of better materials, elsewhere in the home.
Lifestyle Factors
A younger buyer or property renovator is less likely to be worried about any maintenance on their forever home, compared to an older homeonwer that is looking to do less upkeep in the years to come. So whether timber windows and doors are an investment, outside of their obvious authenticity and quality, depends on you, your home, where you live, and what plans you have for it.
How much maintenance do timber windows really need?
The “expert advice” about timber windows and doors rarely comes from those that aren’t involved with them. So take advice from those that sell timber and work with it. And trust more, the window companies that sell timber alongside PVCu and aluminium, composite materials or steel. We can put you in touch with these all over the UK. Thanks to improved coating technologies and engineered timber construction, contemporary timber windows can be both aesthetically streamlined and long-lasting.
One of the persistent myths about timber windows is that they require constant upkeep. In reality, factory-applied micro-porous coatings protect the wood from moisture and UV damage for years at a time. Here’s what a quality timber window gives you:
- Factory Finished: Each product receives preservative treatment, primer, and then two coats of micro-porous paint or stain.
- Long-Lasting Coatings: Expect 5–8 years before you need to think about re-treatment, depending on exposure and local conditions.
- Simple Re-coating: If you decide to refresh or change the colour, light sanding (sometimes not even necessary) and a new coat of paint is typically all that’s required.
- Engineered Timber: Because of its multi-layer design, timber resists warping and twisting, reducing the likelihood of sticking or draughts.
To put timber upkeep into perspective, here’s why aluminium isn’t always as low maintenance as you might assume:
- Aluminium Colours Fade: Routinely clean aluminium window frames, or
- Always Repair Paint Damage on Aluminium windows. If you don’t, expect your paint to bubble and tarnish the bare aluminium beneath.
- Same Guarantees as Timber: The deeper you dig, the more you’ll find aluminium has the same guarantees as timber windows.
- Same Wear and Tear as Timber: Seals, handles, gaskets, glass last no longer on aluminium windows than they do on timber.
Any applied paint finish, whether powder coated on aluminium, or wet paint on timber must be repaired if damaged. The maintenance burden is far less onerous than many people imagine. The fact that most timber window brands, similar to hybrid windows with wood on the inside, claim a lifespace in excess of sixty years is something to reassure you, not frighten you away. Timber windows last longer than aluminium and PVCu windows.
The guarantees on real wood windows today are excellent and on a par with uPVC and aluminium. For example, Timber Windows offers:
- Fungal & Insect: 30 Years Guarantee
- Sealed Unit: 10 Years Guarantee
- Hardware: 10 Years Guarantee
- Workmanship: 10 Years Guarantee
- Paint: 12 Years Guarantee
- Stain: Up to 6 Years Guarantee
Timber windows create any design
Where period authenticity is crucial—think sliding sash windows and Edwardian or Victorian casements—timber is often considered superior to synthetic alternatives. Timber is not limited to traditional aesthetics. Contemporary designers increasingly opt for wooden windows with sleek lines, hidden hinges, and minimal glazing bars.
Timber can replicate the exact sightlines, mouldings, and proportions demanded by older architectural styles, all while meeting modern standards of energy efficiency and security. Aluminium and PVCu are far more restricted in how they can be shaped or curved.
Although wood frames can be slightly thicker than those in aluminium or steel, many homeowners prefer the solid look and feel that timber offers in a modern context.
There is no substitute for real wood
Warm to the touch, solid frames for better insulation, shapes and curves. Double or triple glazed, weather and security tested. The same high-performance glass, sealing, security and components as other window materials. Proven to last longer, hand-crafted, visibly superior in quality and adds value to the right homes. A look and feel no other window material can get close to.
These are just some of the features timber windows and doors give you. If price is not the deciding factor, then you should consider timber windows and speak to an expert in these. Get in touch for more information and advice.
Timber Windows enjoy a high status in the door and window industry, because they still remain mostly hand-crafted and hand finished. They aesthetics and warmth makes these windows tactile and visually rich. Complex shapes, curves, and bespoke glazing bars are easier and more convincing in timber making these windows the original article. And for the right home in certain areas, anything less, devalues the property.
Contrary to old misconceptions, modern timber windows and doors can match—or even surpass—other materials in security and insulation. Low U-Values are easier to achieve, and timber windows come with all the security design features of other materials.
More information and where to see or buy timber windows
At the Door and Window Experts, we believe that well-crafted timber frames can enhance the value of your home and bring a unique charm that only real wood can offer. With modern engineered timbers, advanced coatings, and a dedication to sustainable forestry, choosing timber windows and doors is no longer just about tradition. Timber windows are as modern as any other material, but arguably the better investment in your home and the environment.
Contact us to discuss your property project, for more information about timber windows and for our expert help and advice.
Featured image Courtesy of Bereco UK.
