UPVC Tilt and Turn Windows
UPVC Patio Doors
November 1, 2017
Tilt and Turn Windows:
What are they, how do they work & how much do they cost?
As possibly one of the less well known double glazed window choices, the Tilt & Turn window is actually a very versatile, and in many ways unique, type of window.
The ability to open by tilting or turning in different directions and substantial ventilation properties are what these windows are all about.
If you are considering making some changes to your existing fittings, then here is a general guide to help you decide if buying Tilt & Turn windows for your home is the right thing to do.
What is a Tilt & Turn Window?
UPVC Tilt and Turn Windows
The tilt / turn attributes, which gave rise to the name of this design, are built into the opening sections of the window.
By means of a specialised hinge, the window can not only be opened like a regular window, but can also be tilted within the frame to allow for ventilation.
In terms of general appearance there are 3 options:
- Tilt & Turn Casement windows.
- Tilt & Turn Sash windows.
- Reversible windows.
Each one of the above has slightly different functionality or features to the other.
To be fair, if you are on a tight budget and looking to buy the cheapest double glazed windows, then they may not be the right option for you at present. In general, you can find that the cost of Tilt & Turn window versions will be around 15% to 20% higher than the standard version.
As a rough guide, a White UPVC Tilt & Turn window 800mm x 800mm might cost around £450 fully fitted and an equivalent sized Casement window might cost £300 to £400. Compare Tilt & Turn Prices
UPVC Tilt and Turn Windows – How do they work?
Tilt & Turn Casement windows.
In Casement window versions, the opening & closing functions are controlled by a single handle. Turn the handle in one direction to operate normally or turn in another direction to operate the tilt function. Bear in mind that most tilt & turn casement windows will be fitted to open inwards.
When operating the tilt function, the moving window frame will “lean” backwards into the room up to a pre-determined and mechanically limited degree. The amount of tilt could be between 10 to 15 degrees (or to about 1 o’clock if you want to think of it that way).
Larger versions of this design can be used as an exterior door. Large tilt & slide units can even be used as patio doors.
Tilt & Turn Sash Windows
For Sash Designs, they can be opened and closed in the same way as a regular Sash window, and the turn function operated by releasing 2 side catches in order to pivot the glazed section inwards.
The reason for the pivoting action in a Sash window design is not for ventilation as it is with casement windows, its primarily to make the unit very simple to clean from inside the house.
Unlike the limited tilt in a casement window, glazed sections in a tilting sash window can rotate by up to 90 degrees from the vertical.
Reversible Windows
Fully Reversible Window
This type of design allows for the opening window section to rotate within the frame by almost 180 degrees. Once again, this feature is not designed as a ventilation aid, but makes this type of window very easy to clean from the inside of the house.
Benefits of Tilt / Turn Windows
The main benefits of tilt & turn window design are ease of cleaning. You can easily clean the outside surfaces of the window and frame from inside the comfort and safety of your own home. For windows fitted to upper floors or in a high rise flat or apartment, this is a significant benefit.
There is also the ‘hidden benefit” of design in that it allows the window to be used as an emergency exit should the need arise, for example, in the case of a fire.
Point to note
In a very few extreme case, dependent of the size of the window and what dimensions you are thinking about for the opening section, you may need to give some thought to the design limitation of the hinge mechanism. At some point the window you envisage may not be feasible due to the weight of the moving section being more than the hinges can deal with.
If we take the example of a patio door, then it may be better suited to use tilt & slide instead of tilt & turn.
Sash and Casement Tilting Windows
How much do UPVC Tilt and Turn Windows Cost?
We touched briefly on tilt & turn window prices towards the beginning of the article, and it is worth a short reminder that this design is not the cheapest double glazing window in the market.
Price comparison by material
The most common material used to make tilting windows are UPVC, Timber and UPVC. As a general rule of thumb, you will find that Aluminium and Hardwood products are costlier than UPVC.
Guide to UPVC Tilt and Turn Windows prices
| Approx size in millimeters | Basic Specification | Price guide supply only |
|---|---|---|
| 1200 x 1200 – single window | white upvc, double glazed 10 yr g’tee | £270 to £350 |
| 1200 x 1200 – double opener | white upvc, double glazed 10 yr g’tee | £310 to £400 |
| 3000 x 1200 – 3 panel, 2 opening | white upvc, double glazed 10 yr g’tee | £580 to £650 |
Guide to UPVC Tilt & Turn Doors prices
| Approx size in millimeters | Basic Specification | Price guide supply only |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 x 2100 – 2 panel | white, double glazed toughened glass | £750 to £1,100 |
| 3000 x 2100 – 3 panel | grey, double glazed toughened glass | £1,200 to £1,500 |
| 3500 x 2100 – 3 or 4 panel | wood-effect, double glazed, toughened glass | £1,600 to £2,000 |
Optional Tilting Window Features.
Colour:
Quite clearly you can paint or stain a timber window to any colour you like, applying the finish yourself or have it applied at the factory before delivery.
For UPVC tilt & turn windows you can find up to 20 colours in what are known as foils. RAL spray paints can also be applied extending that range to over 100 colours.
For Aluminium tilt & turn windows, they use RAL powder coats and many suppliers offer in excess of 150 different colour options.
Both UPVC and Aluminium have wood-grain surface options available.
Glazing:
Double glazing is fitted as standard, typically using 2 panes of 4mm float glass with a 16mm internal insulation gap. Insulation gaps can run to 20mm and will give the unit an overall finished dimension of 28mm including the glass.
Patterned Glass Selection
Insulation gaps of over 20mm will not necessarily improve the thermal performance and in fact could reduce it by encouraging circulation within the sealed unit. This circulation will encourage heat (or cold) to be radiated from one side of the window to the other.
What will improve the insulation properties is the use of gas filled sealed units (usually Argon Gas). Metal oxide coated glass, known as Low emissivity or Low-e glazing is also effective in reducing heat & cold transfer.
Triple glazed windows can also be used, but are costlier. There are many who feel the extra cost is not really justified by the actual monetary saving on household energy bills made by their use. However, they are more effective insulators heat, cold and sound penetration.
In closing
There are several advantages to using UPVC Tilt & Turn windows, but they are counterbalanced by a price compromise in many cases. The design does come at somewhat of a premium.
What I expect it will come down to in the end is a matter of budget, function and appearance. If you want all the features of this design, like the way they look, and have the budget, then you will be fitting a very versatile, easy to use and value for money double glazed window.
Let us arrange some quotations for you from our UK wide panel of certified installers and then you can judge for yourself.
Get up to 4 quotes to compare the cost of UPVC Tilt & Turn windows in your town for free – Compare Tilt & Turn Prices
