The Ultimate Guide to Residence Windows

Residence windows are uPVC, but built and finished to reproduce the look of a genuine timber sash or casement window: deep sightlines, mechanically jointed corners rather than welded ones, authentic bevelled edges called 'ovolo' or 'stepped' details, and woodgrain foils that look and feel closer to painted timber than typical smooth white uPVC.

The mechanical jointing is a genuine technical difference from standard uPVC, not just a cosmetic one. Rather than welding the corners of the frame and cleaning off the weld seam, Residence frames are joined with internal aluminium reinforcement and corner cleats, producing a crisp corner detail with none of the rounded weld line typical of ordinary uPVC. This is a large part of why the finish reads convincingly as timber from a distance.

The three ranges share the timber-look philosophy but differ in frame depth, structure and where they tend to be specified.

One of the main reasons Residence windows exist is planning. Many conservation areas and some listed buildings require replacement windows to match the appearance, proportions and detailing of the originals, which historically ruled out standard uPVC. The Residence Collection was designed specifically to satisfy planning officers looking for genuine timber character, and it is now widely accepted in conservation areas across the country, including within the Lake District National Park.

Acceptance is never automatic. Some conservation officers still prefer or require actual timber, and listed buildings in particular can have stricter requirements that no uPVC product will satisfy. It is always worth checking with the local planning authority, or asking your supplier to do so on your behalf, before ordering.

• Check whether the property is listed — this often requires genuine timber, not timber-look uPVC
• Check conservation area status and any Article 4 direction removing permitted development rights
• Ask for a pre-application conversation with the planning authority if there is any doubt
• Keep like-for-like proportions — glazing bar positions and opening styles matter as much as material

Residence windows perform well against modern standards. Double-glazed units typically achieve a whole-window U-value of around 1.2-1.4 W/m²K, comfortably beating the 1.4 W/m²K minimum required by Part L for replacement windows, and triple glazing brings this down to around 0.9 W/m²K for exposed or particularly cold locations.

Residence double glazed U-value

Around 1.2 - 1.4 W/m²K

Residence triple glazed U-value

Around 0.9 W/m²K

Multi-chamber frame design

Improves both thermal and acoustic performance

Typical acoustic reduction with laminated glass

Noticeable reduction in traffic and wind noise

The multi-chambered uPVC profile behind the woodgrain foil also gives good acoustic performance, which matters on roadside properties or homes exposed to wind noise. Laminated glass in the outer pane improves this further without changing the appearance of the window.

Residence windows are available in a wide range of woodgrain foils that replicate real timber species — golden oak, Irish oak, rosewood, walnut and anthracite grain among them — as well as solid painted colours including heritage cream, clotted cream and the full standard RAL range. Foils can be applied to the outside only, with a white or painted finish internally, which keeps interiors light while giving a period exterior.

• Woodgrain foils — golden oak, Irish oak, rosewood, walnut, anthracite grain, painted white
• Solid heritage colours — heritage cream, clotted cream, and full RAL range
• Flush or lift-off period-style hinges and stays on R7 and R9
• Monkey-tail handles and traditional casement stays for an authentic period finish
• Georgian bar and leaded glazing options to match original glazing patterns

As a guide, a supplied and installed Residence Collection window typically costs £950-£1,700 per window, depending on the range (R2, R7 or R9), size, glazing specification and hardware. Whole-house replacement for a typical three or four bedroom property tends to fall between £20,000 and £70,000 including other window types, and a partial replacement can start from around £8,000.