What is the lifespan of uPVC windows?

uPVC is among the top three synthetic plastic materials used in today’s construction industry. It has proven to be more reliable, sustainable, and affordable for many years than traditional alternatives such as timber and aluminium. The quality of uPVC windows have drastically improved in the last decade due to modern manufacturing innovations. Here at Chigwell Window Centre, we manufacture our uPVC windows at one of our two in-house factories. We can guarantee fast lead times, high-quality, and affordable prices due to our local manufacturing facilities. In addition, we can design our windows to your specification. We offer a multitude of customisation options. There has never been a better time to invest in quality uPVC windows.

However, questions have been raised since uPVC’s first installations in the 1930s of how reliable it is and how long it can last. As a synthetic material, customers have been concerned with its longevity and effect on the planet. Timber and aluminium have proven to be strong and sturdy traditional materials and expensive. With uPVC window’s lower price point, how long can you expect your investment to last?

Our 10-year guarantee

Chigwell Window Centre is more than happy to provide you with a 10-year guarantee on all of our products, including our range of uPVC windows. However, you can expect uPVC windows to last much longer if maintained properly over their lifespan. Typically, we would expect a uPVC installation to last somewhere around 20 years. However, it can stretch as far as 35, depending on the quality of the upkeep. As a result, if you had uPVC windows installed in 2002, you might be starting to think about replacing them around now. Since then, modern innovations in the manufacturing process would expect uPVC windows to likely last longer than 20 years. Assuming they are regularly cleaned and maintained, your uPVC windows can last a generation. uPVC windows are naturally weather-resistant due to its synthetic nature. Unlike timber, which can absorb moisture and warp or host bacteria, uPVC is completely moisture-proof. As a result, water runs off it like any other synthetic material. Therefore, uPVC windows are not affected by the unpredictable weather here in the UK. Cleaning uPVC windows is simple. Just take a wet cloth and wipe away any dirt or grime accumulated. You only need to do so every three months, and in areas where the weather is pretty clear and reliable, you can get away with just twice a year.

A brief history of uPVC

uPVC was introduced as a maintenance-free alternative and exploded in popularity in the 1980s. Even though uPVC was brought into the industry back in the 1930s, it wouldn’t be until the 1980s that it hit the mainstream. The double glazing boom had taken off back in the 1970s, and homeowners were looking for a cheaper alternative than the expensive timber and aluminium windows on the market at the time. Aluminium suffered from being a poor insulator (something that isn’t a problem now), and uPVC offered excellent thermal performance and a lower price point. By the 1990s, uPVC windows were massive, and the innovations in design started to take off around the year 2000. Higher security options and softer frames increased the protection these windows provided the home and improved their installation times. By 2010, the modern homeowner searched for window frames that required low maintenance but had the look and feel of something more upmarket. In response, uPVC window manufacturers began offering profiles in grained finishes and several different colours. Here at Chigwell Window Centre, we offer a variety of styles and finishes for our uPVC windows, including rosewood, Irish oak, slate grey and many more!

Recyclability at Chigwell Window Centre

As well as offering our 10-year guarantee, we would also like our customers to be aware that all of our uPVC windows are made from 100% recycled materials. uPVC is exceptionally recyclable, so when it eventually runs out of its approximate 20-year life, it can be salvaged and remade into new uPVC windows! As a plastic material, it is important that we keep it in circulation rather than dispose of it in landfills or into the sea. Therefore, here at Chigwell Window Centre, we assure you that your new uPVC window is completely recycled and recyclable. Therefore you can remain environmentally conscious whilst deciding on the style you’re after.

If you’re interested in any of Chigwell Window Centre’s uPVC windows, don’t hesitate to contact us using our online form today! Enter your contact details and the product you’re interested in, and one of our team will get back to you shortly. We also have a simple to use pricing tool to help you get a quick quote within minutes! Finally, we have several showrooms across Romford, Loughton and our Manchester Trade showroom! Pop in Monday to Friday to get a look for yourself or make an appointment for a Saturday or Sunday look. 

We look forward to hearing from you!