TL;DR
- Match the window colour to the property era and architecture before personal preference. White suits period homes and 1930s semis; anthracite grey or black suits contemporary new builds; cream and heritage shades suit cottages and Edwardian properties.
- Coordinate the window colour with the brick or render, the roof, the front door, and any visible shutters. Aim for two or three coordinated elements rather than four or five competing ones.
- Coloured uPVC adds 10 to 30 per cent over white and can extend lead times by two to four weeks. Aluminium typically has a small or no premium between standard RAL colours.
- Dark frames show dirt and water spots more visibly. Specify dual-colour frames where dark exteriors would feel heavy inside, and confirm trickle vent finish matches the frame.
The colour and finish of new windows is one of the more visually consequential decisions in a UK home improvement project, and one that homeowners often make at the wrong moment. The decision typically arrives late in the buying process, when the showroom visit has narrowed the choice to a few profile systems and the conversation has turned to RAL numbers and woodgrain foils. By that point, the time pressure to commit is real, and the implications of getting the choice wrong are easy to underestimate. The frames will dominate the elevation for the next two or three decades; the wrong colour can age the property visibly within a few years, while the right one disappears into the architecture and looks deliberate from day one.
This guide walks through the colour and finish decision properly. We will cover how to match window frames to the property, what each material can and cannot do, where the trends are heading, what each finish costs, how it ages, and how to avoid the most common visual mistakes homeowners make at this stage. By the end, you will know which colour and finish suits your specific property, why, and what to specify on the quote so the result is what you expected.
If you are still comparing options, it can help to look at the wider choices available for your home. Explore Brow Windows’ window styles and replacement window options to understand which frame types, materials, and finishes may suit your property. You may also want to consider how your windows will work with made-to-measure shutters or practical window blinds, especially if privacy, light control or a more coordinated interior finish is part of the project.
Why window colour and finish matter
The colour of the window frames affects the property in three distinct ways, each of which compounds over time.
The first is the elevation itself. Window frames typically occupy 15 to 25 per cent of the visible surface of a house’s principal elevation, which means they have a disproportionate effect on how the property reads from the pavement. The right colour blends into the design language of the building; the wrong colour makes the windows look imposed on the architecture rather than part of it.
The second is the interior. Frame colour is visible from inside every time you look at a window, which is more often than most homeowners realise. Dark frames inside a small room can feel heavy; light frames in a high-contrast scheme can feel disconnected from the rest of the décor. The internal frame colour matters as much as the external one for daily liveability.
The third is property value. New windows in a colour that suits the property typically recover 50 to 80 per cent of their cost in immediate value uplift. New windows in a colour that clashes with the elevation often recover less, and in some cases create a buyer’s mental list of work to do that depresses offers. Visible kerb-appeal mistakes are expensive in ways that are hard to spot until the property goes on the market.
The honest framing on colour: the decision deserves more attention than it usually gets. Most buyers spend significant time on the profile system, the glazing specification and the cost, and very little time on the colour and finish. Reversing that priority typically produces better results.
Start with your home’s style, not the colour chart
The single most useful principle for choosing window colours is to start with the property and work backwards, rather than starting with personal preference and trying to make it fit.
UK homes were built in eras with distinct architectural languages, and each era has window colours that read correctly. Victorian and Edwardian properties were built with timber frames painted white or off-white on most elevations, with darker stained or painted frames on grander houses. Georgian properties followed similar conventions with finer glazing bars. 1930s semis used painted timber casements, often white, with some streamlined modernist examples in cream or pale green. Mid-century and post-war housing used white-painted timber casements as standard. 1970s and 80s housing introduced brown-stained timber and early uPVC, often in white. Modern homes from the 1990s onwards have been more flexible, with white uPVC dominating until the 2010s when anthracite grey and black began their rise.
When the colour choice respects this lineage, the result reads as deliberate. White uPVC on a 1930s semi looks correct because that was the original convention. Anthracite grey aluminium on a contemporary new build looks correct because the architectural language calls for it. Where the choice fights the property’s era, the result usually looks accidental, even when the colour itself is fashionable.
Personal preference still matters, but it works best within the colour palette the property allows rather than against it. A Victorian terrace can be specified in white, off-white, sage green, or the heritage darker stains; pushing it into anthracite grey usually fights the elevation. A 2020s new build can be specified in anthracite, black, dark green, or white; pushing it into a heritage cream finish usually fights the architecture.
How to match windows with brick, render, roof, doors and shutters
The window colour decision sits within a wider colour scheme that includes the brick or render, the roof, the front door, any shutters, and the architectural details. The successful elevation has these elements working together rather than competing.
Brick and render set the dominant background. Red brick suits white, cream, dark green, sage and anthracite frames; it usually fights brown and certain warm greys. Yellow London stock brick suits white, off-white, dark blue, dark green and black; it usually fights cool greys and silver. Buff brick suits cream, off-white, sage green, dark blue, and certain anthracites. Render in white, cream or pale grey accepts almost any frame colour but pairs particularly well with anthracite, black, sage green or warm wood effects.
The roof matters more than most homeowners assume. Slate roofs work with cooler colours (anthracite, charcoal, blue-grey, white). Clay tile roofs work with warmer colours (cream, sage, terracotta accents, warm woodgrain effects). Concrete tiles in mid-grey work with most palettes. The general principle: pick frame colours that share a temperature family with the roof, rather than fighting it.
The front door is the strongest accent on most elevations. Window frames usually look best either matching the front door colour, or sitting in a neutral that complements it. Black or anthracite frames with a coloured statement door (sage green, navy, deep red) is a strong contemporary look. White frames with a darker door is a traditional look that suits period properties. Avoid colour combinations where windows and door fight each other for attention; one element should lead.
Shutters and blinds visible from outside become part of the colour scheme. Plantation shutters in white sit comfortably with white or anthracite frames; coloured shutters need careful matching. Ensure the shutter colour, the frame colour and the door colour have been considered as a single composition rather than three separate decisions.
The architectural details (fascias, soffits, drainpipes, gable trims) should be specified together with the windows where possible. Replacing white uPVC fascias and soffits with anthracite grey to match new anthracite windows is a common upgrade that completes the visual coherence.
Best window colours by home type
Generic guidance only goes so far. Here are the most common UK property types with the practical answer for each.
Victorian and Edwardian period homes
White, off-white or heritage cream are the period-correct defaults. The original timber sashes were painted white or close to it on most properties, and modern white uPVC sash heritage ranges replicate this convincingly. For grander Victorian villas, darker heritage colours (deep green, deep blue) are sometimes appropriate, particularly on ornate properties. Dark grey, anthracite and black are usually wrong on Victorian principal elevations regardless of how fashionable they currently are; they read as a contemporary intervention rather than a sympathetic restoration. For listed properties, engineered timber sashes in painted finishes are essentially the required answer.
1930s semi-detached homes
White is the default and usually still the right answer. The 1930s suburban housing stock was built around white casements, and modern white uPVC reads correctly. Cream and off-white are acceptable variations that preserve the period feel. Anthracite grey on 1930s semis works on some properties (particularly mock-Tudor and modernist examples) but feels imposed on standard suburban examples. Foiled woodgrain effects in oak or rosewood suit some 1930s properties with timber details elsewhere.
Modern new builds and contemporary extensions
Anthracite grey is the dominant choice on UK new builds in 2026, and for good reason. The cool dark frame works with both red brick and render, sits comfortably with slate and concrete tile roofs, and reads as deliberately contemporary without being aggressive. Black frames are the more striking alternative, particularly on architect-designed properties and modernist extensions. White remains a valid choice for new builds with traditional architectural references; full RAL colour matching opens up bespoke options for high-spec projects.
Coastal homes
White, off-white and pale grey are the safe long-term answers for coastal properties. The bright light and salt-laden air on coastal locations show up dirt and discoloration on dark frames more than they do inland; a frame that looks crisp anthracite in suburbia can look tired and dusty within five years on the seafront. White and pale finishes hold their appearance better in this environment. Aluminium with marine-grade powder coating is the recommended material; the coating durability matters more than the colour itself in coastal conditions.
Rural cottages and farmhouses
Cream, sage green, off-white and warm woodgrain effects suit rural and traditional properties. The colour palette should sit comfortably with the landscape and the existing architectural materials. Avoid bright whites and aggressive contrast on rural properties; softer, warmer finishes feel more correct. Engineered timber casements in stained finishes are the period-correct answer for cottages where appearance defines the elevation.
Red brick suburban homes
White, anthracite grey, sage green or dark blue all work with red brick. The choice depends on the era of the property and the look you want. White is the most traditional and least likely to date; anthracite grey gives a more contemporary feel; sage green and dark blue offer character without going to extremes. Brown frames usually fight red brick rather than complementing it.
Render and slate homes
White render with a slate roof is one of the most flexible UK elevations for window colour. Anthracite grey, black, dark green, dark blue and white all work convincingly. The colour decision becomes more personal here than on brick properties; the architecture imposes fewer constraints.
uPVC vs aluminium vs timber: colour and finish options
Each material has its own colour and finish capabilities, and understanding them prevents specifying something the material cannot deliver well.
uPVC windows
Modern quality uPVC is available in three main colour categories. Standard white is the cheapest and remains the most popular choice on UK homes. Foiled woodgrain finishes (Rosewood, Oak, Anthracite Grey, Black, Cream, Chartwell Green and similar heritage shades) are applied as a coloured veneer to the profile and are convincing on quality manufacturers. Through-coloured uPVC has the colour running through the profile rather than as a surface layer, providing the most durable colour finish but at the highest cost premium.
The cost premium for coloured uPVC over standard white is typically 10 to 20 per cent for single-sided foiled finishes (white inside, coloured outside) and 20 to 30 per cent for dual-sided coloured finishes. Through-coloured uPVC adds 25 to 40 per cent over standard white.
The honest framing on uPVC colour: budget products with cheap foils can fade visibly within a decade on south-facing elevations. Quality products from reputable manufacturers with UV-stable foils hold their colour well for the life of the window. Specify quality within the colour category; budget woodgrain uPVC is rarely good value.
Aluminium windows
Aluminium accepts powder coating in essentially any RAL colour, with bespoke matching available for projects requiring coordination with other architectural metalwork. The standard RAL palette includes around 200 colours; bespoke matching for specific shades is available at modest cost premium. Anthracite grey (RAL 7016) is by far the most popular choice on UK projects, followed by black (RAL 9005), white (RAL 9016) and various greens and blues.
Powder coating holds its colour and finish for 30 to 40 years on quality systems. The finish is durable, consistent, and handles UK weather conditions well. Marine-grade powder coating is essential for coastal locations and adds modest cost premium.
The cost differential between standard RAL colours is usually small or zero on aluminium. Bespoke RAL matching, dual-colour finishes (different inside and outside) and metallic finishes add 5 to 15 per cent over standard colours.
Engineered timber windows
Engineered timber accepts paint and stain finishes, with the choice between the two affecting both appearance and ongoing maintenance. Painted finishes (typically microporous paint) preserve the timber and provide a flat, even colour that suits period properties. Stained finishes preserve the natural grain visibility and read as more traditional rural in feel.
The maintenance commitment is real on timber. Refinishing every five to seven years is essential, regardless of the original finish. The colour choice affects the refinishing cost only marginally; the decision is between paint colours that suit the property era and stain shades that complement the timber species.
Modern factory-applied finishes on engineered timber are significantly more durable than old hand-applied paints. Quality factory finishes hold their appearance for 8 to 12 years before refinishing becomes urgent, compared with 4 to 6 years on traditional finishes.
White, black, grey, anthracite, cream and wood-effect: pros and cons
The dominant frame colours on UK homes each have specific strengths and trade-offs worth understanding.
White
The default choice on UK homes for forty years and still the most timeless. Suits most period properties, traditional homes, coastal locations, and any property where simplicity is the priority. The advantages are real: white frames disappear into the elevation, hide dust and water marks better than dark frames, age slowly on quality products, and never feel dated. The trade-off is that white can read as generic on contemporary properties where a stronger frame statement would suit better.
Anthracite grey (RAL 7016)
The dominant contemporary choice on UK new builds and modern extensions. Suits brick, render, slate and tile roofs equally well, reads as deliberately modern without being aggressive, and pairs naturally with most front door colours. The trade-off is that anthracite is now common enough to be the new white; properties specifying it in 2026 are following a trend that has run for over a decade. It still looks correct on the right property but no longer reads as distinctive.
Black (RAL 9005)
The boldest mainstream choice and one that genuinely transforms an elevation. Suits architect-designed contemporary properties, modernist extensions, and elevations where the windows are intended as a strong design statement. The trade-offs are real: black shows water marks, dust and pollen more than any other colour, requires more cleaning to look its best, and can feel oppressive in interior spaces with limited natural light. Specify with care and consider dual-colour frames (white inside, black outside) to mitigate the interior heaviness.
Grey (mid grey, RAL 7042 and similar)
A softer alternative to anthracite that suits properties where the cooler dark grey would feel too contemporary. Works particularly well on rendered modern homes, transitional properties, and elevations where a more subtle dark frame is wanted. The trade-off is that mid grey can feel slightly dated on contemporary new builds where anthracite or black is now the expected choice.
Cream and off-white
A traditional alternative to white that suits period properties, rural cottages, and homes with warm-toned brick or render. Reads as more historic and less stark than white, particularly on Edwardian and earlier properties. The trade-off is that cream can look aged or dirty if the colour is mediocre; specify quality and choose a cream that reads as deliberate rather than faded white.
Wood-effect (Rosewood, Oak, Golden Oak, Walnut)
Foiled woodgrain finishes on uPVC suit properties wanting timber appearance without the maintenance commitment. Quality woodgrain effects from reputable manufacturers are convincing enough to satisfy many homeowners and even some conservation officers. The trade-off is that budget woodgrain foils can fade or peel visibly within a decade; quality matters more than category here.
Heritage shades (Chartwell Green, Painswick, Agate Grey)
Specific heritage colour ranges suit traditional and period properties where a colour beyond white is wanted. These shades work particularly well on Victorian, Edwardian and 1930s homes where the colour reads as period-appropriate rather than contemporary. The cost premium is modest and the visual impact is significant on the right property.
Matt, satin, gloss and textured finishes
The finish texture affects how the frame colour reads in different lighting and how it weathers over time. Each finish category has its place.
Matt finishes (low sheen) read as contemporary and architectural. Anthracite grey in matt finish has become the signature contemporary look on UK new builds. The trade-off is that matt finishes show water marks, fingerprints and surface dirt more readily than glossier alternatives.
Satin finishes (mid sheen) are the most versatile, suiting most property types and reading as neither aggressively contemporary nor traditional. Most quality uPVC and aluminium products default to satin finish for this reason.
Gloss finishes (high sheen) read as more traditional and reflective. They suit period properties, heritage colour schemes, and elevations where the windows should catch light visibly. The trade-off is that gloss finishes show surface imperfections and frame defects more readily; quality of manufacture matters more on gloss than on satin or matt.
Textured finishes (fine sand, ripple, grained) add tactile interest and can mimic painted timber or other surfaces. They suit aluminium frames where a softer, less industrial finish is wanted. The cost premium is modest; the visual impact varies with light direction throughout the day.
Can you have different colours inside and outside?
Dual-colour frames (different colours on the internal and external faces) are widely available and increasingly popular on UK projects. The most common combination is white inside with anthracite grey or black outside, which gives a contemporary external statement while keeping the interior light and neutral.
The cost premium for dual-colour uPVC is typically 15 to 25 per cent over single-colour. On aluminium, dual-colour finishes add 5 to 15 per cent. On engineered timber, dual-painting is straightforward and adds modest cost beyond standard painting.
The advantages are real for homeowners who want a contemporary external appearance without the interior heaviness of dark frames. The trade-offs are mostly practical: dual-colour frames have a slightly more visible joint line at the edge of the sash, and the contrast between inside and outside is sometimes visible at the reveal where the frame turns the corner.
For most homeowners considering anthracite grey or black exteriors on properties with smaller rooms or limited natural light, dual-colour frames are usually the better answer than full dark frames inside and out.
How colour affects cost, lead time and maintenance
Each colour and finish decision has cost, time and maintenance implications worth understanding before committing.
Cost premiums are predictable. Standard white uPVC is the cheapest baseline. Foiled woodgrain or coloured uPVC adds 10 to 20 per cent for single-sided, 20 to 30 per cent for dual-sided. Aluminium typically has small or no premium between standard RAL colours; bespoke matching adds 5 to 15 per cent. Engineered timber colour costs are mostly absorbed in the painting process; the choice between paint and stain matters more than the specific colour.
Lead times can be longer for non-standard colours. Standard white uPVC and standard RAL aluminium colours are typically four to six weeks. Bespoke RAL matching, premium woodgrain foils and through-coloured uPVC can extend lead times to six to ten weeks. Listed building heritage colours sometimes run twelve weeks or more. Plan accordingly if the project has a fixed completion date.
Maintenance varies by colour and finish more than most homeowners expect. Dark frames (anthracite, black, dark blue, dark green) show water spots, dust and pollen more than light frames; cleaning frequency typically doubles compared with white frames to keep them looking their best. Light frames (white, cream, off-white) hide minor dirt better but show staining and discoloration more visibly when it occurs. Wood-effect foils need particular care; quality products age slowly, but budget foils can show wear at the edges and joints.
The honest framing on long-term colour: the reality of how a colour ages on your property is shaped more by quality of manufacture than by the colour itself. Quality anthracite from a reputable manufacturer ages well for 25 years; budget anthracite from a low-cost supplier can look tired in a decade.
UK regulations and planning checks
The colour and finish decision sits within the UK regulatory framework that applies to any window project.
For listed buildings, listed building consent is required for any window changes, and the consent will usually specify acceptable colours and finishes. Most listed properties are restricted to colours that match the original windows, which usually means white, cream, or specific heritage shades. Discuss the project with the conservation officer before ordering.
Conservation areas with Article 4 Directions may impose colour restrictions even on properties that are not individually listed. The restrictions vary by local authority and area; some areas restrict the use of dark frames, foiled woodgrain effects, or non-traditional colours on principal elevations. Check with the local planning authority before ordering, particularly for strongly distinctive colours.
For new builds and major extensions, the colour decision usually sits within the building’s overall design approval. Changing the specified frame colour after planning approval can require a non-material amendment application or full reapplication, depending on the change. Confirm the colour with the architect before ordering.
Approved Document L on thermal performance is colour-neutral; the regulations apply equally to all colours. Approved Document F on ventilation similarly applies regardless of colour. Trickle vent finish should match the frame; specify this explicitly to avoid mismatched white vents on dark frames.
FENSA or CERTASS certification under the Competent Person Scheme applies to the work regardless of the colour chosen. The certificate is required when you sell the property and is included in any quality installer’s price.
Common mistakes homeowners make
Five mistakes appear repeatedly when homeowners make colour and finish decisions.
The first is choosing colour purely on trend rather than property fit. Anthracite grey is the dominant fashion choice in 2026, but it is not the right answer on every property. A homeowner who specifies anthracite on a Victorian terrace because the showroom samples looked good usually regrets the visual mismatch within a year. Match the colour to the property era and context, not to current trends.
The second is forgetting to consider the interior frame colour. The frames are visible from inside every day, often in rooms with limited natural light. Dark frames inside small rooms can feel heavy and oppressive; specifying dual-colour frames (white or pale inside, dark outside) often produces better daily liveability.
The third is mixing too many colours on the elevation. Window frames in one colour, door in a clashing colour, fascias in a third colour, and shutters in a fourth produces a visually busy result that rarely looks deliberate. Aim for two or three coordinated colours across the elevation rather than four or five competing ones.
The fourth is assuming all colours cost the same and have the same lead time. The cost premium for coloured uPVC over white can be 10 to 30 per cent, and lead times can be meaningfully longer. Confirm both costs and timing on quotes before committing to a colour choice that the budget or schedule does not actually accommodate.
The fifth is choosing matt finishes without considering cleaning. Matt anthracite is the signature contemporary look but shows water spots and dirt visibly between cleanings. Homeowners who want the matt look should be prepared for more frequent cleaning, particularly in dusty or polluted environments.
Simple decision checklist before ordering
Before signing any window quote, work through this checklist. It takes ten minutes and protects you from the most common mistakes.
Have you confirmed the colour reads correctly on the property era and architectural style? Match to the property first, personal preference second.
Have you considered the interior frame colour as well as the exterior? Specify dual-colour frames if the dark exterior would feel heavy inside.
Have you coordinated the window colour with the brick or render, the roof, the front door and any visible shutters? Aim for two or three coordinated elements rather than four or five competing ones.
Have you checked planning constraints? Listed buildings always require listed building consent; conservation areas with Article 4 Directions may restrict colour choices.
Have you confirmed the cost premium and lead time for non-standard colours? Coloured uPVC can add 10 to 30 per cent and extend lead times by two to four weeks.
Have you specified the trickle vent finish to match the frame? Mismatched white vents on dark frames are a common quote oversight.
Have you considered the maintenance reality of the chosen colour? Dark frames need more frequent cleaning to look their best; light frames hide minor dirt but show staining.
Have you seen physical samples in natural daylight on your property? Showroom samples under artificial light look different from frames in your specific outdoor lighting.
The honest summary: the right window colour is rarely the most fashionable or the most personal. It is the colour that suits the property, the elevation context, and the long-term plan, with the spend going where it genuinely makes a difference.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the most timeless window colour?
White remains the most timeless choice across UK property types. It suits most period homes, most traditional properties, most coastal locations and most homes where simplicity is the priority. White frames hide minor dirt better than dark frames, age slowly on quality products, and never feel dated. For homes where the colour decision is genuinely uncertain, white is rarely a wrong answer.
2. Are black windows a trend or a safe long-term choice?
Black is a strong contemporary statement on the right property but is not the safest long-term choice. The trend has run for around a decade and shows no sign of fading on contemporary new builds and modernist extensions, where it remains period-correct for the architectural era. On traditional properties, black risks looking dated when the trend eventually shifts. Specify with the property type in mind rather than the current fashion.
3. Do dark window frames show dirt more?
Yes, noticeably. Anthracite, black and other dark frames show water spots, pollen, dust and pollution more visibly than white or cream frames. Cleaning frequency typically doubles compared with white frames to maintain the crisp appearance. Coastal and roadside properties show this more than rural or quiet residential locations. Factor in the cleaning commitment when choosing dark colours.
4. Can uPVC windows be any colour?
Most quality manufacturers offer 15 to 30 colour options including white, cream, anthracite grey, black, foiled woodgrain effects, heritage shades and a selection of contemporary colours. Bespoke RAL matching is rare on uPVC; the choice is usually within the manufacturer’s standard palette. For full RAL flexibility, aluminium is the better material.
5. Is anthracite grey still popular?
Yes, anthracite grey (RAL 7016) remains the dominant contemporary frame colour on UK new builds and modern extensions in 2026. It works with most exterior materials, reads as deliberately modern without being aggressive, and pairs naturally with most front door colours. The trade-off is that anthracite is now common enough to be the new white; specifying it follows a trend that has run for over a decade.
6. Should windows match the front door?
Either match or complement, but do not clash. The strongest contemporary look has anthracite or black frames with a coloured statement door. The traditional approach has white frames with a darker coloured door. Avoid combinations where windows and door fight each other for attention; one element should lead.
7. Should windows match shutters or blinds?
Coordinate rather than necessarily match. Plantation shutters in white sit comfortably with white or anthracite frames; coloured shutters need careful matching. Aim for the shutter colour, the frame colour and the door colour to feel like part of one composition, not three separate decisions.
8. Can windows be one colour outside and another inside?
Yes, dual-colour frames are widely available. The most common combination is white inside with anthracite or black outside, which gives a contemporary external statement while keeping the interior light. The cost premium is typically 15 to 25 per cent on uPVC and 5 to 15 per cent on aluminium. For homes considering dark exteriors with smaller rooms inside, dual-colour is usually the better answer than full dark frames.
9. Do coloured windows cost more?
On uPVC, yes: typically 10 to 20 per cent more for single-sided foiled finishes and 20 to 30 per cent for dual-sided coloured. On aluminium, the differential between standard RAL colours is usually small or zero; bespoke RAL matching adds 5 to 15 per cent. On engineered timber, the colour cost is mostly absorbed in the painting process.
10. What finish is easiest to keep clean?
Satin finishes in light colours (white, cream, pale grey) are the easiest to maintain. Matt finishes show fingerprints and water spots; gloss finishes show surface imperfections; dark colours show all of these more readily than light ones. For homeowners prioritising minimal cleaning, white satin uPVC or aluminium is the practical answer.
11. Do I need planning permission to change window colour?
On standard freehold houses outside protected areas, usually no. Listed buildings always require listed building consent for any window changes including colour. Conservation areas with Article 4 Directions may require planning permission, and some local authorities restrict the use of dark frames or non-traditional colours on principal elevations. Check with the local planning authority before ordering on protected properties.
12. What window colours suit red brick?
White, cream, anthracite grey, sage green and dark blue all work with red brick. White is the most traditional; anthracite grey gives a more contemporary feel; sage green and dark blue offer character without going to extremes. Brown frames usually fight red brick rather than complementing it.
13. What colours suit a period home?
White, cream, off-white and traditional heritage shades (Chartwell Green, deep blue, deep green on grander properties). Engineered timber sashes in painted finishes are the period-correct answer for listed properties. Avoid anthracite grey, black, and contemporary colours on Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian principal elevations where the period language calls for traditional finishes.
14. What colour frames make a house look modern?
Anthracite grey, black and bespoke dark colours (deep blue, dark green) read as contemporary on suitable properties. Slim-profile aluminium frames in dark RAL colours are the signature contemporary look on UK new builds and modern extensions. The colour alone does not make a property look modern; the frame profile and glazing area matter as much as the colour.
15. Do window colours affect resale value?
On most properties, the colour decision affects resale appeal more than headline property value. Frame colours that suit the property era are essentially neutral in value impact; frame colours that fight the property era often create a buyer’s mental list of work to do that depresses offers. The safe approach for homeowners likely to sell within five years is to specify colours that suit the property rather than personal preference.