First Home Improvements double glazing windows reviews

First Home Improvements launched in the 1970s as Debbage and Tubby Limited, with its first showroom in Norwich. The founders retired and the company became Anglia First Home Improvements in 2008. In 2016, the company re-branded to become First Home Improvements and went through a period of expansion across the UK. Now, the company has a workforce of over 750 people and 18 showrooms offering a range services including double glazing windows.

First Home Improvements is focused on producing A-rated energy-efficient products, including doors, windows and conservatories. The company uses traditional hand-craft methods and produces uPVC windows according to the highest standards.

Despite the fact that the company only sells uPVC windows, it offers many more styles than other window companies. You can select from an impressive nine styles: casement, bow, bay, sash, tilt and turn, cottage, shaped, Tudor and Georgian bar. To complete your desired aesthetic, choose from seven standard finishes, including grain-effect finishes. If you want something different to the standard colour selection, simply send First Home Improvements your preferred RAL colour code for complete customisation.

Double glazing is harder to break than single glazed windows, but First Home Improvements windows also feature additional security features, such as a blade-locking system from Yale. According to the site, this makes the lock technology three times more secure than standard window-locking systems.

First Home Improvements offers a choice of credit options (subject to approval), and promises to match a competitor’s price if you get a cheaper quotation elsewhere.

First Home Improvements offers a wide range of low-maintenance uPVC replacement windows. Customers can choose from a range of colours and traditional wood grain foils. There is a wide choice of glass designs, including Georgian bars and decorative, etched or leaded glass.

• Guarantee options: 12-year standard warranty
• Price range: £250 to £500 (estimate based on typical pricing for uPVC windows)
• Energy efficiency rating: A+
• Secured by Design (SBD) rating: Not currently accredited

• Highlights: First Home Improvements sells fairly priced uPVC windows with numerous customisation options. The company won the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award in 2022.
• Key benefit: Customers can choose from an extensive range of styles and colours, including custom colours and wood-grain finishes.
• Memberships and certifications: The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), the British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC), FENSA and Made in Britain.
• Styles: Casement, bow, bay, sash, tilt and turn, cottage, shaped, Tudor and Georgian bar.

Double glazing is a costly but worthwhile investment. We urge homeowners to consider the pros and cons of any company before making a final decision. Choosing First Home Improvements has the following advantages:

• Wide colour range: Because all replacement windows by First Home Improvements are made from uPVC, customers can choose from a wide range of colours. You can simply send First Home Improvements your preferred RAL colour code and enjoy customised windows that perfectly match your home and aesthetic preferences.
• Long standard warranty: First Home Improvements offers a 12-year warranty, which is slightly longer than the industry average of 10 years.
• Good reputation: First Home Improvements have over 2,400 reviews on Trustpilot. Of these, over 70% are five-star ratings. Overall, the company has a 4.3/5 rating, indicating a mostly positive customer experience.
• Security: Windows are fitted with highly secure locking systems to keep you and your family safe.
• Energy-efficiency: All First Home Improvement windows are rated A+ for energy efficiency. They can help keep your energy bills low, reduce draughts and retain heat energy from the sun.
• Noise reduction: First Home Improvements claims its windows can dramatically reduce environmental noise.
• Acclaim: First Home Improvements won the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award in 2022, which demonstrates reliability and high-quality service.
• Transparency: According to customer reviews, quotes are clear and delivered in a simple and transparent manner.

Be sure to consider the cons, including:

• uPVC only: First Home Improvements only offers uPVC window frames. While uPVC is durable and can be customised to suit different tastes, some customers may prefer aluminium, composite or timber frames.
• Does not offer triple glazing: Other window companies in the UK sell triple glazing for improved energy efficiency. First Home Improvements only offers double glazing.
• Not accredited by Secured By Design: While the company offers advanced locking systems with its windows, they are not currently SBD-certified. Secured By Design is the official police security initiative that works to reduce crime and improve home security.

uPVC double glazing windows can help reduce a home’s heating bills. (Image credit: First Home Improvements)

Contact First Home Improvements for a direct, obligation-free quote. You can also request a brochure using the online form. For real-life inspiration, visit one of First Home Improvements’ 18 showrooms across England.

The company employs a large team of designers, surveyors, installers, builders and support staff to help you through the process.

First Home Improvements is a solid company with a good reputation and a great selection of uPVC window styles. However, other companies may be a better fit for you, especially if you’re interested in different frame materials.

At a cost of £250 to £570 per uPVC window, Anglian is similarly priced to First Home Improvements. The company offers a 10-year guarantee on all parts and labour and a 15-year guarantee on gas-filled windows. Its uPVC windows are rated A to A+ for energy efficiency.

Another benefit of choosing Anglian to supply your new windows is its selection of frame materials, including timber and aluminium. Additionally, many of the styles (tilt and turn, sliding sash and casement) are SBD-approved for their high security standards.

If you are interested in a premium brand, consider Everest. It’s one of the oldest and most reputable double glazing providers in the UK, with a 4.3-star Trustpilot rating (out of nearly 12,000 reviews) and a host of accreditations, including Secured by Design, Quiet Mark, FENSA, TrustMark, BSI, BFRC, FSC and BSI Kitemark.

The brand isn’t cheap, but there are added benefits. For example, windows from Everest’s uPVC Exclusives range come with a 20-year guarantee. What’s more, Everest sells triple-glazed windows for extra energy efficiency.

First Home Improvements does not provide pricing on its website, as the cost can vary depending on the style and finishes you choose. However, the average price of double glazed uPVC windows measuring 60 x 90cm is around £150 to £500, excluding installation costs.

uPVC windows are very easy to maintain. They should be wiped down with warm, soapy water and then dried with a soft cloth. Window frames can be damaged by abrasive cleaners so these should be avoided. 

Glass can be cleaned with a liquid glass spray cleaner.

First Home Improvements offers various styles of decorative inserts for its double glazing. (Image credit: First Home Improvements)

“I had nine windows and a back door fitted, I am so pleased with them. The work was carried out efficiently and without causing too many problems. All the old windows and doors were disposed of. The fitters were courteous and professional, I was given a demonstration of how the windows and doors performed. I had to call the scaffolding firm, to chase up removal, as it’s been three weeks and it’s still erected! I would definitely recommend first home improvements.”

• Helen, Trustpilot review

“Going back to the beginning when I found an add for First, sceptical as ever with the whole sales pitch, Tom was sent to visit us for a quote, very professional, no long drawn out sales pitches, gave us exactly what we asked for, no gimmicks, a pleasure to do business with. Arranged for the surveyor to arrive another very nice man, who allowed us to discuss what was required. They could not accommodate the stable door, but we were never pushed into anything else; we were very happy. Then fitters Daniel and Luke arrived to fit our windows, left everything very clean and tidy and did a fab job all around. This company is highly recommended, and we will be using them for our new extension.”

• MH, Trustpilot review

“We had new windows installed. Robert and Clint were fantastic. They were friendly, courteous and helpful. They did a fantastic job, and everything was done to a high standard. We couldn’t be more pleased with their work and the quality of the windows.”

Hilary, Trustpilot review

First Home Improvements is a good all-round double glazing company with numerous customisation options and colours. The company focuses exclusively on uPVC, but offers many more style options than other UK brands.

There are plenty of benefits to uPVC windows. Unlike timber frames, they require very little maintenance and are not as vulnerable to degradation.

First Home Improvement windows come with a solid 12-year guarantee, which is longer than the industry average, and there are generally positive reviews about the company online.

We believe First Home Improvements is a good option for homeowners looking for uPVC frames with a wide range of colour customisation options at a fair price. The company has a wealth of experience from its beginnings in the 1970s, and its generous guarantees offer valuable peace of mind.

To compile an objective review of First Home Improvements, we read hundreds of online customer testimonials, technical documentation, brochures and media articles. We carefully assessed the company’s product offering and services, and how it compares to other UK brands.

We then rated First Home Improvements against a 100-point scoring system based on the features and qualities customers care about most, including:

• The type of double glazing material (uPVC, wooden, aluminium), for a total of 20 points;
• The number of styles on offer, for a total of 10 points;
• The energy efficiency rating held by the company, for a total of two to five points;
• The level of security offered, for a total of 10 points;
• The warranty period, for a total of two to five points depending on its length;
• The company’s years of experience, for seven to 10 points;
• The number of payment options, for a total of 15 points;
• The total rating score of the company held on Trustpilot, for a total of one to 10 points; and
• Additional benefits (including FENSA certification, design options, customer support and the inclusion of trickle vents), for a total of 15 points.

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