Window colours explained

Every window can be white or coloured, and coloured windows can be white on the inside. Window colours make a big difference to kerb appeal, so it is worth taking a few minutes to choose the right finish for your home.

This guide covers smooth and woodgrain finishes, inside and outside colour choices, the most popular shades and the mistakes to avoid.

How coloured uPVC windows are made

White is a smooth finish. Our colours are applied as a tough foil that resists fading and does not need painting.

The foil is bonded to the uPVC profile before the window is made, so the colour runs neatly around the frame and sash edges. Foils are covered by our 10-year guarantee, the same as frames and sealed units.

Smooth and woodgrain window colours

Woodgrain foils such as Golden Oak, Rosewood and Irish Oak have a textured grain that looks like timber. They suit traditional homes and replace old wooden windows without the repainting.

Smooth colours give a flatter, more contemporary look. Greys and black are the most popular smooth choices for modern homes and extensions.

Finish	Look	Typical homes
White	Smooth, bright, classic	Almost any property
Anthracite Grey	Smooth, modern	Brick, render, new builds, extensions
Black	Smooth, bold	Modern homes and contemporary interiors
Golden Oak, Rosewood, Irish Oak	Woodgrain, timber effect	Cottages and traditional homes
Chartwell Green, Cream	Heritage shades	Period homes and conservation areas

Colour outside, white inside

Most customers choose their colour on the outside and white on the inside. It keeps rooms bright and costs less than colour on both sides.

It also makes life easier indoors. White frames sit happily with any decor, and you can redecorate without worrying about clashing with the windows.

Colour both sides

Choose “Same as outside” if you want the colour inside too. It suits modern interiors, especially with Anthracite Grey or Black.

Colour on both sides works well in open-plan kitchens and extensions, where dark frames frame the view and tie in with other dark finishes.

Anthracite Grey

Anthracite Grey (RAL 7016) is the UK’s most popular coloured window. It suits brick and render and works with grey or black doors and roofline.

If you are planning new doors at the same time, choosing the same shade across windows and doors gives the whole house a joined-up look.

How to choose a window colour

• Look at the walls. Red brick suits white, grey, cream and woodgrain. Render and light brick suit greys and black.
• Look at the roofline. Fascias, soffits and guttering in one colour look best with windows that match or contrast deliberately.
• Think about the street. On a terrace or semi, a bold colour stands out. That may be exactly what you want, or it may not.
• Match the finish to the style. Woodgrain and heritage colours pair well with a traditional ovolo finish.
• Check local rules. In conservation areas or on listed buildings, changing window colour or style may need permission, so check with your council first.

Common mistakes

• Choosing a colour from a small screen sample without seeing it against your brickwork.
• Picking colour inside without thinking about how dark frames feel in a small room.
• Mismatching windows and doors when they are ordered at different times. Note your colour choice so you can match it later.
• Painting uPVC or foiled frames. Foils do not need painting, and paint can peel.

Quick answers

Do coloured windows fade?

Our colours are a tough foil that resists fading, and foils are covered by our 10-year guarantee.

What is the most popular window colour?

White is still the most common, and Anthracite Grey (RAL 7016) is the UK’s most popular coloured window.

Is colour on both sides more expensive?

Yes. Colour outside with white inside costs less than colour on both sides.

Can I get coloured windows on any frame system?

Colour options depend on the profile you choose. Our window profiles guide explains the four systems, and the designer shows what is available on each.

Design and price your window →