We regularly get asked by homeowners whether it’s worth saving up and replacing all of their windows at once, rather than bit by bit. Well, the short answer is you don’t have to do them all at once. However there are pros and cons to both approaches that you need to be aware of.  

At Birmingham Glass, we’ve helped customers with full-home replacements in a single go and others who’ve spread the project over years. The “right” answer depends on your budget, your home’s needs, and your priorities. Here’s a few pointers to help you make the right choice for your home!  

Upfront vs. Phased window installation 

From a purely technical standpoint, there’s no rule saying every window has to be changed at the same time (unless of course they’re damaged and causing issues with your property). You can replace one now, three next year, and the rest in five years if that’s what works for you. 

That said, there are a few reasons to consider doing them all together: 

Consistency 

All your windows will match in colour, profile, and finish from day one. 

Less disruption  

Rather than having installers in and out multiple times over the years, you can get it all done in a few days. 

Better deals 

Larger orders tend to allow for better deals and discounts – and who doesn’t want that? 

If you’re planning to phase the work, it’s a good idea to try grouping windows logically. For example, “upstairs first, then downstairs” or “front of house, then back”, rather than doing random ones across the property. This avoids the patchwork look that can hurt your home’s visual appeal. 

Cost considerations 

Typically, installation costs are per window, so you won’t save huge amounts on the labour side by doing everything at once. But bulk orders can still help you in other ways: 

Supplier discounts 

As mentioned above, while the per-window installation rate might stay the same, ordering more at once can sometimes secure better pricing from the supplier. 

Shared setup costs 

You’ll only pay the scaffolding, skip hire, or travel fees once instead of multiple times. 

Better deals on extras  

Larger jobs may allow you to negotiate on things like upgraded glass, colour options, or handles. 

From a budget perspective, spreading the work out can be easier if you can’t cover all the windows in one payment. But just be aware that material prices and availability can change over time too, so you may end up with slightly mismatched windows. 

Practical window installation advice 

If you decide to go in stages, sequence matters. 

Work top-down 

Always start upstairs at the back, then move forward and down. This is because falling debris during upstairs installation can damage brand-new windows below. At Birmingham Glass, we always work this way to protect your investment. 

Coordinate with other work  

If you’re planning decorating, plastering, or rendering, get your windows in first. This way, you’re not paying to redo finishes that could be damaged during installation. 

Think about access 

If scaffolding is needed, you’ll save time and money by completing all windows in that area in one go. 

Matching window frame profiles over time 

One of the biggest concerns when replacing windows in stages is product consistency. Will your future windows match the ones you install today? 

If you come back in 3 years, our profile company is still likely to have matching frames. This is because we work with the same suppliers year after year, which means our customers can normally get a perfect match, even when spreading the project over time. Not every installer can make that promise, and not every manufacturer stays in business forever, so it’s worth checking before you commit to phasing your replacement. 

Final thoughts 

No matter if you’re going for a full replacement or a phased approach, here’s our main takeaways: 

  • Group window replacements for the best visual and economic value. 
  • Discuss supply continuity with your installer to ensure future matchability. 
  • Coordinate with trades (e.g. plasterers, decorators) to avoid paying for the same work twice. 
  • Install windows before external decorating/trims so you don’t have to redo them after. 
  • Consider scaffolding efficiency, if it’s up, get all reachable windows done at once. 
  • Think about ageing as windows replaced together will weather together, giving a uniform look for longer. Don’t forget that all windows and doors from Birmingham Glass come with a 10-year guarantee as standard. 

 

Ready to replace your windows? Come have a chat with our friendly team or request a free, no-obligation quote.