Windows and colours
Wood effect uPVC windows in woodgrain finishes
Short answer
Wood effect uPVC windows are standard uPVC frames wrapped in a textured woodgrain foil, so they look like painted or stained timber but never need sanding or repainting. Finishes include Irish oak, rosewood and woodgrain greys such as anthracite, and frames can be dual colour with white inside. We supply and fit them as uPVC windows, priced after a free survey.
How woodgrain foil works
The frame is a normal uPVC profile. During manufacture a coloured foil with a raised grain texture is bonded to the surface under heat and pressure. The texture is what makes it read as wood, both to the eye and to the touch, rather than looking like plain coloured plastic.
Because the colour is in the foil rather than a paint layer, there is no flaking paint to deal with and no need to treat the frames each year. The inside of the window can be foiled too, or left white.
Popular finishes
Woodgrain finishes fall into two groups: natural timber shades and textured colours. Our colours page shows the full range we use, and our uPVC window colours guide explains how to choose.
- Irish oak: a warm, mid-brown oak look
- Rosewood: a deeper red-brown, traditional on older homes
- Anthracite grey woodgrain: a modern grey with a subtle grain
- Chartwell green and cream: heritage shades with a painted-timber feel
- Black and agate grey: darker, contemporary options
Dual colour frames
Many people want a timber look from the street but a white, bright frame indoors. Dual colour windows do exactly that: woodgrain on the outside, white on the inside. It keeps rooms light and works with any decoration, while the front of the house gets the character of coloured frames.
Where wood effect windows suit
Wood effect frames suit older homes that would originally have had timber windows, such as Victorian and Edwardian terraces, cottages and farmhouse-style properties. They also suit streets where white frames would stand out among older houses, and homes where the owner wants the look of timber without the upkeep.
If your home is in a conservation area, check with your council first, as some areas expect a particular material or profile on street-facing windows. Combined with Georgian bars or a sash style, a woodgrain frame gets close to a traditional look.
Wood effect uPVC compared with timber
Real timber needs regular sanding and repainting or staining to stay sound, and neglected timber can rot. Woodgrain uPVC needs none of that. The frames are a little chunkier than slim traditional timber, which is the main visual difference up close. Thermal performance comes from the uPVC profile and the double glazed units, just as on a white window.
Care and cleaning
Wash the frames a few times a year with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive pads, bleach and solvent cleaners, which can dull the surface of the foil. Keep drainage slots at the bottom of the frame clear and wipe the gaskets so the seals stay supple.
Common questions
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Call 0116 442 0332 or send the form.