Timber - PVC - Aluminium - Windows, Doors & Conservatories in Hampshire

Timber vs. Residence 9: The 10-Year Cost Comparison

Q: Does Residence 9 add value like timber?

Yes. In the past, 'plastic windows' devalued period homes. However, Residence 9 is accepted as a premium heritage product. It restores the character of a property without burdening the new owner with timber maintenance.

Q: Is timber ever the better choice?

If you live in a Grade II Listed Building, timber (or secondary glazing) is often the only legal option. For non-listed homes in conservation areas, Residence 9 is usually approved.

Start Reading Get a Quote

Timber vs. Residence 9: The 10-Year Cost Comparison

Residence 9 vs Timber Windows: Battle of the Brands | KJM Group

There is no denying that traditional timber windows are beautiful. KJM has been installing hardwood windows in Hampshire for over 40 years, and for Grade II Listed buildings, they are often the only legal choice.

However, for most homeowners in Andover and Winchester, the choice between Real Timber and Heritage uPVC (Residence 9) is a battle between the Heart and the Wallet.

📌 The 10-Second Summary

🌳 The Reality: Timber windows add authentic charm but require costly maintenance (sanding/painting) every 5-7 years.
🏡 The Alternative: Residence 9 offers a near-identical heritage aesthetic with zero maintenance.
💰 The Verdict: When calculating the “Total Cost of Ownership” over 10 years, Residence 9 is significantly cheaper than real timber while offering superior security.

1. The Upfront Cost Difference

Let’s start with the invoice price. Because timber is a natural material that requires extensive processing, treating, and hand-finishing, it carries a high premium.

🌳 Real Timber

Cost Rating: £££££

Requires sustainable sourcing, anti-rot treatment, priming, and multiple coats of high-performance microporous paint.

🏡 Residence 9 (Timber Alternative)

Cost Rating: £££

A premium composite product, but significantly cheaper than hardwood because it is manufactured consistently in a factory environment.

Immediate Savings: On an average 10-window house in Hampshire, choosing Residence 9 over Hardwood could save you between 30% to 40% on the initial installation cost.

Real timber window installed by KJM showing the painted finish

Real timber installed by KJM is stunning, but carries a higher initial price tag.

2. The Hidden Cost: Maintenance

This is where the gap widens. Timber is organic; it moves, swells, shrinks, and degrades if unprotected. To keep a manufacturer’s warranty on timber windows, you are often required to maintain the paint finish religiously.

The Timber Maintenance Cycle (Every 5-7 Years)

Scaffolding: Unless you live in a bungalow, you will likely need scaffolding to safely reach upstairs windows. Cost: £800+
Decorator/Painter: A professional will need 3-5 days to sand, fill cracks, prime, and topcoat 10 windows. Cost: £1,500+
Materials: High-quality microporous exterior paint. Cost: £200+

💡 The Residence 9 Routine:

1. Bucket of warm soapy water.
2. A sponge.
3. Wipe down frames (20 mins).

Cost: £0.

3. The 10-Year Calculator

Let’s look at a hypothetical scenario for a detached home in Hampshire with 10 windows to see the true cost of ownership.

Cost Item	Real Timber	Residence 9
Initial Installation	£25,000	£16,000
Maintenance Year 5	£2,500 (Paint & Scaffold)	£0
Maintenance Year 10	£2,800 (Inflation adjusted)	£0
TOTAL 10-YEAR COST	£30,300	£16,000

*Prices are estimates for comparison purposes only.

The Result: Over a decade, Residence 9 could be nearly half the price of timber when maintenance is factored in.

4. Head-to-Head: Key Differences

Beyond the bank balance, how do they actually compare in day-to-day living? We’ve broken down the battle into key areas.

🎨 Appearance

Residence 9 Authentically replicates 19th-century timber windows with deep profiles, flush exteriors, and detailed interior finishes (like decorative beads and butt-jointed corners).

Real Timber Offers natural wood grain and authentic texture, but can look less symmetrical over time and requires constant upkeep to maintain its “freshly painted” look.

🧽 Maintenance

Residence 9 Virtually maintenance-free; just needs occasional wiping with warm soapy water to look brand new.

Real Timber Requires regular sanding, painting, and sealing (every 5-7 years) to prevent rot, warping, and weathering.

🔥 Energy Efficiency

Residence 9 Modern multi-chambered uPVC (up to 9 chambers) offers excellent insulation (0.8 W/m²K), significantly reducing energy bills.

Real Timber Traditional designs often have poorer energy ratings (~1.4 W/m²K) and can develop drafts as the wood moves over seasons.

Close up of Residence 9 timber effect window showing woodgrain detail

Residence 9 offers the beautiful woodgrain aesthetic without the warping or rot risks of real timber.

5. Technical Deep Dive: Specs & Stats

For the detail-oriented homeowner, here is how the engineering stacks up when we look at the raw data.

Feature	Residence 9 (R9)	Traditional Timber
Thermal U-Value	0.8 W/m²K (Triple Glazed)	Typically 1.4 – 1.6 W/m²K
Chamber Structure	9 Chambers	Solid Material
Glass Bonding	Bonded to Sash	Typically Putty/Beaded
Warranty (Finish)	10 Years+	Variable (Void if not painted)

6. Frequently Asked Questions

Does Residence 9 add value like timber?

Yes. In the past, “plastic windows” devalued period homes. However, Residence 9 is accepted as a premium heritage product. It restores the character of a property (removing 1980s plastic) without burdening the new owner with timber maintenance.

Can you tell the difference?

It is very difficult. R9 features mechanical joints (just like wood), a flush sash, and even woodgrain foils that feel like painted timber. We encourage you to visit our showroom to try and spot the difference yourself!

Is timber ever the better choice?

If you live in a Grade II Listed Building, timber (or secondary glazing) is often the only legal option. For non-listed homes in conservation areas, Residence 9 is usually approved. See our Conservation Area Guide for details.

Do you sell timber doors too?

Yes, we offer a stunning range of solid timber doors if you want to maintain an authentic entrance while upgrading your windows to low-maintenance R9.

📚 Explore Our Heritage Hub

🏆 Residence 9: Features & Specs 🆚 R7 vs R9: Which is better? 🪵 Timber Windows: Full range 🚪 Timber Doors: Front Doors

About
Latest Posts

Mark Pearce

With over four decades in the glazing industry, Mark Pearce has been at the heart of KJM Windows & Conservatories since 1983. Starting as a building labourer, he quickly rose through the ranks, working as a window and door installer from 1984, a factory operator manufacturing windows later that year, factory manager in 1992, and joining the sales team in 1994. Becoming a Director in 2002, and finally, the sole owner in 2010, Mark Pearce is truly a double glazing expert and has led KJM to become a leading supplier of high-quality windows, doors, and conservatories across Andover and the South of England.

Mark Pearce is a highly experienced specialist in the double glazing industry, having built his knowledge from the ground up through hands-on experience in installation, manufacturing, sales, and business management. Beyond his role at KJM, Mark is a keen blogger, writer, and traveller, often sharing insights on the latest innovations in the home improvement industry.

Start Your Free Online Quote

Get a Quote

Timber - PVC - Aluminium - Windows, Doors & Conservatories in Hampshire

Timber vs. Residence 9: The 10-Year Cost Comparison

Timber vs. Residence 9: The 10-Year Cost Comparison

1. The Upfront Cost Difference

2. The Hidden Cost: Maintenance