Yes. Modern uPVC windows can be available with one colour on the outside and a different finish on the inside. This is often referred to as a dual-colour or dual-finish window.
It is a useful option because the colour that works with the exterior of your property may not be the colour you want inside your home.
For example, you might like the contemporary appearance of Anthracite Grey windows against the exterior of your house but prefer a lighter white finish inside. Alternatively, a traditional property might suit a wood-effect finish externally while a more neutral interior finish works better with your décor.
REHAU, whose window profiles are used by Haven Windows and Doors, specifically offers the ability to select different finishes for the inside and outside on applicable window systems.
Here is what you need to know before choosing dual-colour windows.
What Are Dual-Colour Windows?
Dual-colour windows have a different visible finish on each side of the frame.
The outside can therefore be chosen to complement the exterior of your property, while the inside can be selected to work with your interior.
For example:
Outside: Anthracite Grey
Inside: White
Or:
Outside: Golden Oak
Inside: White
This gives you more freedom than using the same colour throughout the complete window.
It can be particularly useful when replacing several windows because you don’t have to compromise between what looks good from the street and what works with the rooms inside.
Why Choose Different Colours Inside and Outside?
Your home’s exterior and interior are two completely different environments.
Externally, you may be trying to complement brickwork, roughcast, stone, roofing, guttering or the colour of your front door.
Inside, the same colour might not work.
A dark grey frame can create a striking exterior appearance, for example, but you may prefer something much lighter around the inside of your windows.
Dual-colour windows allow these decisions to be made separately.
You can create a distinctive exterior without necessarily introducing that same colour into every room.
Grey Outside and White Inside
One combination homeowners may consider is a grey exterior with a white interior.
Anthracite Grey and other darker finishes can create a contemporary appearance externally, particularly when combined with modern doors and other exterior features.
Inside the house, white provides a much more neutral appearance.
That can make it easier to change wall colours, furniture and interior decoration in future without having to design the room around a dark window frame.
REHAU currently offers several grey and dark finishes, including Anthracite Grey, Slate Grey, Elephant Grey, Basalt Grey II and Midnight Black, although availability can vary according to the particular window system and specification.
Can You Have a Wood-Effect Finish Outside?
Yes. Modern uPVC doesn’t have to look like plain white plastic.
REHAU offers a selection of wood-effect laminate finishes including Golden Oak, Irish Oak, Turner Oak, Walnut, Rosewood, Dark Oak and Mahogany.
These finishes can provide a more traditional appearance without changing the underlying window material to timber.
Depending on the window system and available configuration, a homeowner could therefore choose a traditional wood-effect appearance externally while retaining a lighter or more neutral finish internally.
This can be particularly useful when the outside of the property calls for a more traditional appearance but the interior has a modern decorative style.
How Are Coloured uPVC Windows Made?
Coloured uPVC windows aren’t necessarily simply painted after the window has been manufactured.
One method used by REHAU involves applying a specially designed laminate foil to the profile.
REHAU explains that its foil has a two-layer structure. The base layer provides the colour or printed design, while a transparent PMMA top layer helps protect the finish against UV exposure and weathering.
The laminate is pre-treated with adhesive and permanently bonded to the window profile during production.
This also allows different surface appearances to be created.
Some colours have a smooth contemporary finish, while others have a grained surface. Wood-effect finishes are designed to provide the visual character associated with timber.
Do Coloured Windows Require More Maintenance?
One of the main practical advantages of uPVC windows is their relatively low maintenance requirement.
A laminated coloured frame doesn’t require the routine painting associated with traditional painted timber windows.
REHAU describes its laminate foils as durable, scratch-resistant and easy to clean, as well as being designed to withstand different weather conditions.
Normal maintenance is still required.
Frames should be cleaned appropriately, and hinges, handles, locks, drainage areas and other components should be looked after according to the manufacturer’s maintenance guidance.
The key difference is that maintaining the colour doesn’t normally involve periodically sanding and repainting the entire frame.
What Window Colours Are Available?
The choice available today is much wider than white, brown and grey.
REHAU currently divides its colour options into several collections.
Its Contemporary Collection includes finishes such as Anthracite Grey, Slate Grey, Elephant Grey, Basalt Grey II, Black Brown and Midnight Black.
The Timeless Collection includes Simply White, Clotted Cream, Chartwell Green, Pearl Grey, Pebble Grey and Sage.
Traditional options include Turner Oak, Irish Oak, Golden Oak, Walnut, Rosewood, Dark Oak and Mahogany.
There are also stronger statement colours, including Ruby Red, Racing Green and Steel Blue.
Not every colour or combination will necessarily be available on every window style or profile, so availability should always be confirmed when your windows are being specified.
Should Your Windows Match Your Front Door?
They can, but they don’t have to.
Matching windows and doors can create a coordinated exterior, particularly when using distinctive colours such as Anthracite Grey.
Another approach is to use neutral window frames and make the entrance door the main feature.
The existing materials on your property are worth considering too. Brick colour, roughcast, stonework, roof tiles, soffits, fascias and guttering can all influence how a window colour looks once installed.
There is no universal colour combination that works for every home.
What About Traditional Properties?
Colour isn’t only relevant to contemporary homes.
Traditional properties can suit softer colours and wood-effect finishes, depending on the character and design of the building.
The shape of the frame matters as well.
For example, REHAU’s TOTAL70 range includes both chamfered and sculptured profile options, while other systems can provide a flush-fitting appearance.
Combining the appropriate frame style with a suitable colour can help produce a window that better complements the character of the building.
If a property is listed or located within a conservation area, additional restrictions or permissions may apply. These should be checked before changing the appearance or material of existing windows.
Do You Have to Use the Same Colour Throughout the House?
Not necessarily.
However, it is worth thinking about the overall appearance of the property rather than choosing each window independently.
Keeping the external frames consistent can create a more uniform appearance across the house.
Internally, you have greater freedom because windows are viewed within individual rooms.
This is one of the advantages of choosing different internal and external finishes. You can maintain a consistent exterior while selecting a neutral internal finish that works throughout the home.
Always Look at a Physical Colour Sample
Choosing a window colour from a computer or phone screen isn’t ideal.
Screen brightness, display settings and photography can all affect how a colour appears.
Even printed brochures aren’t guaranteed to reproduce the exact appearance of the actual window finish.
REHAU specifically advises homeowners not to rely entirely on printed or digital representations of its colours and recommends viewing colour samples before making a final decision.
It is also worth viewing your preferred colour in different lighting conditions where possible.
A grey, cream or wood-effect finish can look noticeably different in bright sunlight compared with an overcast day.
Are Dual-Colour Windows More Expensive?
Choosing coloured or dual-colour frames can affect the price of a window compared with a standard finish.
However, there isn’t one accurate percentage that applies to every window.
The cost can depend on the profile, chosen colour, whether the finish is required on one or both sides, window style, dimensions and the particular specification.
Some less common colour options can also have different availability or lead times.
For that reason, it is better to obtain a quotation for the exact combination you want rather than relying on a general estimate.
Choosing the Right Window Colour for Your Home
Colour can make a significant difference to the finished appearance of replacement windows.
Before deciding, consider the exterior and interior separately.
Look at your brickwork or render, roof, doors and other exterior features. Then consider how the inside of the frame will work with your walls, flooring, furniture and future decorating plans.
You don’t necessarily have to choose between the two.
With suitable dual-colour window options, you can have a darker, traditional or more distinctive finish outside while maintaining a lighter and more neutral appearance inside.
At Haven Windows and Doors, we install uPVC windows using established REHAU profile systems and can explain the colours, finishes and combinations available for your chosen window style.
If you’re considering new windows for your home, contact Haven Windows and Doors to discuss the available styles, colours and specifications.
