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Top 5 Heritage Window Colours for 2026: Beyond White uPVC
Top 5 Heritage Window Colours for 2026: Beyond White uPVC
Category: Design & Inspiration
Reading Time: 7 Minutes
- 🎨 The Trend: White uPVC is out. Hampshire homeowners are choosing “Heritage Foils” like Painswick and Grained White.
- 🛡️ The Durability: These aren’t painted; they are heat-bonded foils. They are incredibly tough.
- 🏛️ The Law: If you live in a Conservation Area, specific colours and matte finishes may be mandatory.
- 💰 The Cost: Expect to pay approx. 25-30% more for foiled windows compared to standard white.
For decades, replacing windows meant one thing: bright, shiny white plastic. While practical, standard white uPVC often clashes with the beautiful brickwork and flint cottages we have here in Andover and Winchester.
Fortunately, the Residence Collection (R9 & R7) has changed the game. By using advanced “foiling” technology, these windows don’t just look like wood—they feel like it too.
1. The Top 5 Trending Colours
These are the finishes currently dominating the heritage market in Hampshire.
1. Painswick (Agate Grey)
A soft sage-grey. It blends beautifully with red brick and Cotswold stone.
2. Grained White
NOT standard plastic. This has a matte woodgrain texture.
3. Cotswold Green
A quintessentially British pale green. Stunning on cream-rendered properties.
4. Silvered Oak
Mimics raw, weathered timber that has aged in the sun.
Closer Look: The Texture Difference
It is difficult to appreciate the quality of modern foils on a screen. Here are two examples of how they interact with light and architecture.
2. Performance & Durability: The Honest Truth
A common question we get is: “Will the colour fade like old plastic doors did?”
Modern heritage windows use a high-performance foil (like Renolit) that is heat-bonded to the uPVC profile. This isn’t paint; it’s a physical layer fused to the frame.
⚠️ Nothing Lasts Forever
While modern foils are incredibly UV stable, we believe in being honest. Everything fades eventually given enough decades of direct sunlight. However, high-quality foils degrade significantly slower than paint.
3. Planning & Conservation Rules
If you live in a Listed Building, you likely cannot change the material of your windows without explicit consent. For homes in Conservation Areas (but not listed), modern “Grained White” flush sash windows are often approved.
🏛️ External Resource
For official guidance, we recommend reading the Historic England Energy Efficiency Guide.
4. Cost Comparison: White vs. Heritage Foils
Choosing a colour does add to the manufacturing cost. Here is a realistic guide to the premium you can expect to pay.
5. The “Dual Colour” Secret
You don’t have to have the same colour inside and out! The most popular specification we install in Hampshire is Dual Colour.
This usually means having a heritage colour on the outside (like Painswick or Black) to match the building’s character, but Grained White on the inside to keep rooms bright.
6. Buyer’s Checklist
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Modern foils are incredibly UV stable, but nothing is immune to the sun forever. You can expect them to hold their colour perfectly for 15-20 years. After that, very gradual fading may occur.
You shouldn’t need to! The foil finish is designed to last the lifetime of the window. Painting them would void your warranty.
Yes. We can match Residence windows to our range of Composite and Timber doors.
📚 Explore Our Heritage Hub
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.
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