Timber vs uPVC Sash Windows: What Manchester Homeowners Choose
For anyone restoring or upgrading a period property, few decisions carry as much weight as choosing the right windows. In...
Read MoreLast Updated: 8 May 2026
Made to measure wooden windows give contractors a precise fit for every opening, regardless of size or shape. No cutting down, no packing out, no awkward on-site adjustments. Each unit arrives manufactured to the exact dimensions you supply, ready to install and already finished. If you specify timber windows on your projects, bespoke production is the most reliable way to protect your programme and meet your client’s design intent.
Standard off-the-shelf sizes rarely match real openings, especially in renovation work, heritage schemes, or plots with non-standard masonry. Made to measure wooden windows remove that uncertainty. Every frame is produced to your supplied dimensions, so the window fits the opening rather than the opening being modified to fit the window.
For contractors, that matters a lot. Less remedial work at first fix means faster handover to other trades, fewer revisits, and a cleaner snagging list at completion.
At GB Joinery, we work exclusively with building contractors. Our bespoke windows and doors are designed, manufactured, and supplied from our Stockport workshop, with a typical turnaround of 4 to 6 weeks from confirmed order and approved dimensions.
The timber you specify affects performance, longevity, and maintenance requirements across the project lifecycle.
| Timber | Best for | Key benefit |
| Accoya | New builds, heritage, exposed sites | 50-year above-ground guarantee, minimal movement |
| Engineered softwood | Cost-sensitive residential | Stable, paintable, widely used in new build |
| European oak / meranti | Premium or period schemes | Dense grain, durable, hardwearing |
GB Joinery is an Accoya approved manufacturer, one of a small number in the UK. Our Accoya casement windows carry an official BFRC A+ energy rating, with an overall U-value of 1.40 W/m²K. That makes us one of only six companies with official A+ ratings on timber casements in the UK.
Window styles available include stormproof and flush casement windows, vertical sliding sash, and box sash. All are made to your exact dimensions and can be finished in any RAL colour before delivery.
Accurate dimensions are the single most important step in ordering made to measure wooden windows. Errors at this stage are the leading cause of delays and remedial costs on site.
For new build projects, dimensions can be taken from structural opening sizes on drawings, with a standard manufacturing tolerance agreed at order stage. For retrofit or renovation work, a physical survey of each opening is recommended before finalising your order.
At GB Joinery, we accept dimension schedules directly from contractors. Where projects involve multiple openings or non-standard shapes, our team can review your schedule before production begins to mark up any questions before manufacturing starts.
The industry standard lead time for bespoke timber windows runs between 4 and 14 weeks, depending on complexity and supplier. Our standard lead time sits at 4 to 6 weeks from order confirmation.
To keep your project on programme:
Late ordering is the most common reason bespoke windows disrupt a programme. Early specification means the windows are ready when you need them, not the other way around.
Made to measure wooden windows supplied for construction projects in England must comply with Building Regulations Approved Document L, which sets minimum U-value requirements for replacement and new windows.
GB Joinery’s windows are tested to BS 6375-1:2015 and PAS 24:2016 for weathertightness and security performance. Our Accoya casement windows are BFRC energy rated, which simplifies compliance documentation on your project.
For listed buildings or conservation areas, timber is often the only approved material. Bespoke manufacture makes it straightforward to match existing profiles, glazing bar patterns, and moulding details without compromising performance.
Do you need a site survey before ordering?
For new build work with confirmed structural openings, drawing dimensions are usually sufficient. For renovation or replacement work, physical measurement of each opening reduces the risk of fit issues. Contact our team to discuss the best approach for your project type.
Can you match existing window profiles on a refurbishment?
Yes. Bespoke manufacture means profiles, moulding styles, and glazing bar designs can be specified to match existing windows on the same elevation, which is particularly useful on phased refurbishment schemes or listed building work.
What sizes can you make?
There are no standard sizes. Every window is made to your submitted dimensions. Unusual shapes, arched heads, and non-rectangular openings can all be accommodated at the design stage.
Do the windows arrive pre-finished?
Yes. Windows are factory-finished in your chosen colour or stain prior to delivery, reducing on-site paint work and protecting the timber from the point of installation.
At GB Joinery, we supply made to measure wooden windows direct to building contractors across Cheshire, Greater Manchester, and beyond. Simple to order, made to your dimensions, and delivered ready to install.
Call 0161 477 1818 or contact us online to discuss your project requirements and get a price.
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