Choosing colours & finishes
Colour is the choice you will look at every single day. Get it right inside and out and new windows lift the whole look of your home; get it wrong and it is an expensive thing to live with.
Modern uPVC, aluminium and composite windows come in a wide palette, so you are no longer limited to white. That freedom is great — but it means the decision deserves a little thought rather than a snap choice from a brochure.
Popular colours and where they suit
- White — timeless, bright and the most cost-effective. Works on almost any home.
- Anthracite grey — the runaway favourite for a contemporary look, especially against red or buff brick and white render.
- Cream and Chartwell green — softer heritage tones that flatter cottages and period homes.
- Black — bold and architectural, popular for modern extensions and Crittall-style replacements.
- Woodgrain effects — oak, rosewood and grey woodgrain give the warmth of timber with the upkeep of uPVC.
Inside can differ from outside
Many systems offer dual-colour frames — for example anthracite outside and white inside — so your windows suit both your brickwork and your interior decor. It is a small detail that makes a big difference, and worth raising during your survey.
Settled on a colour? Get free, no-obligation quotes from vetted local installers — subject to eligibility and a home survey.
Plan my new windows →Finishes, handles and glass
Beyond frame colour, think about hardware finish (chrome, brushed nickel, black or gold handles and hinges), whether you want Georgian bars or leaded detailing, and glass options such as obscured glazing for bathrooms. These small touches personalise the windows and are easy to specify once you know they exist.
Test before you commit
Colours look different in daylight than under showroom lights, and a shade that suits one street can jar on another. Ask to see physical samples against your own brickwork, and look at homes nearby with similar frames. If aesthetics and performance both matter to you, reading about windows that are warmer, quieter and more secure helps you balance the look you love with the comfort you want.
Don’t let colour blindside the basics
It is easy to get swept up in finishes and forget the fundamentals of a fair deal. A quick read on how to avoid the common new-window buyer mistakes keeps you focused on specification and value, not just shade cards.
Think about the whole street, and the long term
Colour trends move, so it is worth choosing a shade you will still be happy with in ten years, not just this season. Consider how your frames will sit against neighbouring homes and any doors, guttering or garage you are keeping. If you plan to sell one day, broadly appealing choices — crisp white, classic anthracite or a soft heritage tone — tend to date less and suit more buyers than a bold one-off. A finish you love and that flatters the house is a decision you will enjoy every time you pull up outside.
