Posted on: January 30, 2016

Can uPVC windows look as good as timber?

It’s the holy grail of replacement windows. A maintenance free double glazed timber window. No sanding, no painting, no repairs – if you could solve these issues you could provide the window everyone is looking for. However, we all know that timber, being a natural product, will degrade over time and, if not properly maintained, rot can set in and lead to potential problems further down the line.

Even modern engineered hardwood or special products such as Accoya have their drawbacks and of course can be prohibitively expensive.

So where does that leave the homeowner who wants the aesthetic appeal of timber but none of the maintenance issues. Many, including a lot of Conservation Officers, will say that there is NO alternative to timber but we respectfully beg to differ. Modern foiled uPVc can provide the building material for a timber-look window. However, it is not just the material that makes the look – rather it is the way the product is put together that counts. Attention to detail, timber styling cues, timber detailing and an understanding of joinery techniques all combine to produce that timber aesthetic.

The Evolution range of casement windows has done more than any other product to develop the idea of a timber alternative. Just consider the following details on an evolution product:

  • Timber Ovolo design on the frame
  • A flat bar on the frame to accommodate a pegstay
  • Deep Cill with a foiled end cap
  • Timber look joints
  • Sash to sash measurement of 150mm just like a Joiner would make it
  • Concealed trickle vents to maintain the aesthetics.

Add all these features together and you have the closest thing to a upvc timber- look window on the market. And don’t just take our word for it. Customers come into our showroom asking to see the timber products in the window only to find that they are looking at upvc timber-look Evolution windows. That’s the acid test.

Categories: Updates