How Long Different Window Types Typically Last
- UPVC windows:
20-30 years (potentially up to 35 years) assuming they are fitted to a high level and suitably maintained. - Aluminium windows:
30-45 years and temperature extremes won’t cause them to warp, swell or crack. - Timber windows:
30-40 years (effective maintenance can see them exceed the upper figure to 60 years).
Awareness of roughly how long windows are meant to last is useful to know because it influences energy efficiency, heating costs and issues like damp and mould. Once one or a group of windows begin to let draughts in and attract moisture, it has the effect of making a home more expensive to heat and may trigger condensation and dampness. Underperforming windows can also decrease a property’s valuation.
The lifespan of UPVC windows, aluminium windows and timber windows varies. Recognising how they commonly wear as they age and alertness to typical signs of deterioration can help you avoid costly repairs and replacements.
How Long Do Windows Last?
20-25 years is the approximate lifespan of contemporary double glazed windows, but lifespans can differ between designs. Things like material choice (UPVC, aluminium or timber), installation standard, weatherproofing abilities, product quality and maintenance all contribute to window longevity and performance.
It may surprise you to learn that traditional single-glazed windows, particularly timber-framed openings, can endure for decades if well looked after. But critically, their energy efficiency, insulation and capacity to resist damp fares poorly in comparison to modern double glazed windows. Therefore, you’re better off prioritising double glazing from a practical and financial standpoint.
What Affects Window Lifespan?
Listed below are factors that can affect window longevity and the extent of performance provided:
- Weather climate
If not properly maintained, it accelerates the likelihood of timber windows and low-quality UPVC windows becoming worn upon consistent exposure to rain, frost, temperature fluctuations and dampness. - UV exposure
Substandard UPVC and timber windows fitted at south-facing elevations can also suffer fading, warping, brittleness and seal degradation when subjected to strong sunlight. - Coastal destinations
To combat coastal conditions and the salt in the air, a high-grade window material and prolific upkeep is vital, otherwise components such as hinges and locks, along with frames and seals, are at a high risk of corroding. - Material quality
There isn’t a consistent standard between every UPVC, aluminium and timber window that’s made. The types of windows with a higher probability of lasting are those containing expert coatings, bulky profiles and elite glazing. - Craftsmanship and fitting
Flawed windows that are poorly installed tend to attract draughts, moisture ingress and suffer premature sealing failure, which can massively reduce their lifecycle even if constructed using suitable materials. - Class of hardware and components
It’s often locks, handles and hinges that fail first. You need robust, corrosion-resistant hardware for a window to effectively function and have the best possible chance of enduring. - Care and maintenance
Aftercare is key to window performance and lifespan. It must entail regular cleaning, repainting and sealing (timber windows specifically), keeping moving parts lubricated and frequent inspection of seals.
How Long Do Double Glazed Windows Last?
It can be 15-20 years before the thermal performance of the insulated glass units (IGUs) in double and triple glazed windows starts to decrease. High specification A-rated units that possess excellent sealing and an argon or krypton gas filling, can surpass the 20-year mark, so long as they’re expertly installed and can cope with harsh weather.
Certain signs indicate that an IGU is failing. One of them is when misting or fogging appears between the glass panes, fuelled by the breaking down of a perimeter seal, allowing moisture to creep its way into the space separating the glass layers. Condensation within the unit is another, implying that the insulating gas has escaped and been replaced with moisture. Perimeter seals that have either failed or are damaged incite heat loss and reduce insulation too. And any draughts that emerge near the glazing edge suggest gaps have surfaced or a seal failure.
As issues like these arise, it points to floundering unit performance, even though the frame itself may still be structurally sound.
What Factors Affect Double Glazing Lifespan?
This is what can curtail the lifespan of double-glazed windows in our continuing discussion about how long do windows last:
- Poor Installation
An unprofessional fitting may result in an incorrectly levelled sealed or fixed window, potentially spawning water ingress and hastened seal or frame failure. Without correct installation, even the best-made window will struggle to perform as it should. - Insufficient spacer bars
The role of a spacer bar is to separate the glass panes. Imperfect spacer bars are prone to corroding and conducting heat too easily, intensifying the chances of condensation occurring and diminishing insulation. - Thermal Pumping
This refers to when the glass and frame contracts and expands due to repeated heating and cooling cycles. Thermal pumping puts stress on window seals, prompting slow insulating gas leakage and eventual sealing failure. - Sealant Degradation
Panes are held together by perimeter sealant, and it also conserves the insulating gas. The sealant can degrade over time because of UV exposure, temperature extremes and chemical breakdown, resulting in misting, condensation and reduced thermal efficiency. - Pressure Changes
IGU seals can also feel the stress from dramatic changes in atmospheric pressure, most typically windows that occupy openings in high-rise buildings or where wild swings in the weather take place. It may exacerbate seal failure and invite weather ingress. South-facing elevations are more susceptible to failing, as windows here are exposed to the most amount of direct sunlight.
How Long Do UPVC Windows Last?
Modern UPVC windows can last for 20-35 years or greater.
A downside of older UPVC is that it easily discolours and yellows, whereas modern UPVC has a formulation designed to resist discolouration, so that it keeps looking new. Present-day UPVC has improved UV stability too and thus doesn’t tend to crack or become brittle. Importantly, it’s comfortably more energy efficient.
In the main, contemporary UPVC can look after itself and only needs the occasional bit of cleaning, requiring just a wipe down with a soft cloth and some mild detergent to remove dirt and grime. Moving parts need periodic lubrication, but there’s no call for repainting or staining like there is with timber.
UPVC windows are heavily reliant on high-quality hardware if mechanical failure is to be averted. Additionally, steel reinforcement within a UPVC frame adds structural strength and lessens the prospect of warping, distortion etc. stemming from load or temperature changes.
How Long Do Aluminium Windows Last?
Modern thermally broken aluminium windows generally last for 30-45 years, testament to their prolonged durability. The thermal break acts as an insulating barrier between the inner and outer aluminium profiles and helps stop heat loss, condensation and frame distortion.
Aluminium finishes are powder-coated onto the frames, culminating in a prominent colour that won’t suffer fading, peeling or weather damage.
Nor will corrosion transpire or rusting, as aluminium forms a protective oxide layer, complementing a quality coating, making it a fantastic choice of material for homes in coastal locations or places renowned for inclement weather.
Expect hassle-free maintenance with aluminium: cleaning the frames and lubricating hardware now and again is as much as is necessary.
How Long Do Wooden Windows Last?
Premium timber can outlast all other window materials (lifespan of around 30 years, not unknown to last 50-60 years), so long as it is well treated and well maintained.
The cheapest timber variety are softwood windows, which are less dense and more absorbent, making them liable to swell or rot as moisture absorbs. A 25–35-year life expectancy is achievable if kept protected and maintained.
Oak, mahogany or teak-built designs i.e. hardwood windows, are denser, more durable and more moisture-resistant. Sufficient treatment and care can increase their survival rate to around 50-60+ years.
To defy rotting, warping and swelling, it’s essential that you repaint, re-stain and re-treat them every few years. They’ll then have surface protection against moisture, UV damage and pest infiltration.
Fail to maintain the protective coating, and even premium timber can deteriorate quickly.
Which Window Frame Lasts the Longest?
Explained in table form, with some additional points to take note of…
Feature
UPVC
Aluminium
Timber
Typical lifespan
UPVC 20-35 years
Aluminium 30-45 years
Timber 30-60 years
Durability
UPVC Good
Aluminium Excellent
Timber Very good but only if maintained
Maintenance
UPVC Extremely low
Aluminium Extremely low
Timber High
Thermal quality
UPVC Very good
Aluminium Good to very good
Timber Excellent
Design options
UPVC Fairly limited
Aluminium Very broad
Timber Generally broad
Cost
UPVC Usually, the lowest priced
Aluminium Usually, the highest priced
Timber Mid-range
The environment that a window material is exposed to and its overall build quality will affect its longevity. So, it’s not inconceivable for a high-quality UPVC window in a favourable climate to outlast a badly made aluminium or timber window situated in harsh conditions.
When Should You Replace Your Windows?
Indicators of when to replace windows include the appearance of condensation inside a double-glazed or triple-glazed unit, draughts and air leaks, increasingly difficult window operation, frame mould or damp, damaged seals, higher heating bills etc.
Poor installation is the last thing you want, as you may find yourself needing a window upgrade much earlier than expected.
Problems can emerge in the following instances:
- Frames aren’t level or square
- Insufficient seals or insulation around the window edges
- Loose fixings
- Gaps behind trims or cills
To reiterate what we said earlier, without quality installation, even high-quality windows won’t do the job they’re supposed to.
How to Extend the Life of Your Windows
Window performance can be extended with some easy, recurring maintenance. Just take these steps:
- Clean frames and glass: To reduce staining and avoid worn seals and coatings, remove dirt and debris every 2-3 months.
- Keep moving parts lubricated: Keep hinges, locks and moving parts working smoothly by lubricating them every 6-12 months using a light silicone spray or specialist lubricant.
- Do a seal and gasket check: Monitor seals and gaskets for cracks and gaps every 6-12 months and replace if necessary to stop moisture creeping in.
- Inspect drainage channels and trickle vents: Ensure there are no leaves, dirt or insects blocking them so that water can drain. Once every 6 months will do.
- Check for moisture or mould: Every 6-12 months, look out for signs of moisture or mould around the frame so that no structural issues or glazing failure transpire.
- Frequent opening: Regular usage of your windows can keep the mechanisms operating freely and may alert you to any stiffness that materialises.
Hopefully, you now have a clearer grasp of how often do windows need to be replaced. We’re only a phone call away if it’s made you realise that buying new windows is something you should be pursuing.
If you found this piece to be a nugget of information, a read of our article on windows U value would also be worth your time.
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