In this article we cover:

  • Context to the build
  • Window choices
  • Door choices
  • How much it cost

Choosing windows is a big decision in any house build and it often gets forgotten about until you reach that stage, which can put pressure on you to make quick decisions. We avoided this by keeping the windows as they were on the architect’s plans.

 We spent a lot of time finalising these details with the architect during the early stages, and we ensured we were happy with our choices.

 One thing that really helped throughout the process was looking at social media and local houses for inspiration. Brochures and samples are helpful, but seeing real homes makes it so much easier to visualise what you actually like.

 The company we went for was the contractor’s choice. We could have sourced them elsewhere, but we were happy with their offering. We also had them recommended by family architect’s plans, there are still so many small decisions to make yourself. One of the biggest lessons we learned was how much the overall style of the house matters. Window choices and friends.

 We met with their rep on site to go through all the options and get a better feel for what would suit the house. Because ours was a contractor-led build, the contractor organised the consultation and helped guide us through the selection process.

 Even though the window layout was set out in the architect’s plans, there are still so many small decisions to make yourself. One of the biggest lessons we learned was how much the overall style of the house matters.

Window choices

Georgian-style homes often suit sash windows, while more modern builds tend to look better with clean, simple designs.

Consistency is key; small details like adding bars to some windows and not others can really change the whole look.

 We found that there was a lot of practical thinking involved as well. Not every window needs to open, and picture windows can work well in the right spaces. That being said, being able to open the window is essential in areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and bedrooms.

 We also learned that larger opening windows sometimes need a bar for structural support, which wasn’t something we had considered at the start. We went with triple glazing as well, mainly for better insulation and to help achieve an A energy rating.

Material choices were another big topic: aluclad, timber, aluminium, uPVC. Aluclad seems to be a popular choice but would result in additional cost. After weighing up the options, we didn’t feel like there was a good return for the additional cost here and we opted for a uPVC finish.

 Even colours take a lot of thought; you can choose different inside and outside finishes, but we were advised against mixing them due to potential long-term expansion issues showing the inner colour at the edges.

 For our build, we went with grey aluminium windows (anthracite) inside and out for a clean, timeless look, and a navy front door for a bit of contrast. The back and patio doors are also grey to keep everything consistent. Seeing them installed honestly made such a difference. It finally started to feel like a home.

Door choices

When choosing our external front door, we considered a number of factors beyond just how it looked.

Because we have a window panel directly beside the door, it was important that the door colour complemented the windows and created a balanced overall look. We also thought carefully about whether we wanted a contemporary or classic style so that it would suit the overall design of the house.

 While the appearance of the door played a big part in the decision, we also considered practical aspects such as the material, durability, and energy efficiency.

We compared a few different models before deciding but ultimately chose a navy wood-finish door because it gives us the flexibility to repaint it in the future if we ever want a change.

Since moving in, we’ve already painted the interior side of the door white, as we felt it worked much better with the neutral colours in the hallway.

For the back door, we chose anthracite so it would match the colour of the windows.

Installation

The rep came out to measure the openings of the windows and there were no issues.

We did have one window break during installation, but the manufacturer replaced it quickly without any hassle. We also had a quality check a few weeks after moving in to make sure everything was working as it should – seals, locks, handles, etc.

A local rep carried out quality control checks. There were some minor fixes needed for example a stiff handle in the bathroom and a broken safety hatch in one of the bedrooms which they fixed on the same day. All small issues that were dealt with promptly.

How much did it cost?

Our total for all windows and doors was around €25k and that was included in the builder’s contract so we had no additional cost to pay.