Exposing the secrets of the double glazing industry.
What is a Window Scrappage Scheme?
If you are looking to recycle your old windows, it can be confusing. On the one hand, councils and recyclers may charge you a fee to dispose of them, while on the other hand, many window firms will actually pay you money to take them off your hands. So how does this work? And is a window scrappage scheme worth it?
To put it bluntly, giving you money (or a discount on their services) to scrap your old windows is a fake discount. To give you money off your order, the initial cost has to be higher in the first place. Using the term ‘scrappage scheme’ sounds more official (even though there is no such scheme for the double glazing industry) and is likely to entice more customers. If a company finds out that you want scrappage of your own windows, they will simply give you a higher quote and then take off the scrappage discount, returning you to the original price.
This is not the only trick that some double-glazing retailers will try and convince you with. Many companies state that you will save significant amounts of money by buying newer windows. While this is partly true, it is exaggerated. All windows do lose some heat, and newer windows tend to be more efficient, so this part is correct. However, you will not save much money – this is because the cost of replacing your windows vastly outweights any savings in your energy bills and will do even over many years.
There are many reasons to buy new double glazing. But if you are expecting it to pay for itself through reduced heating bills, then think again.
What “Scrappage” Really Means
When double glazing companies advertise a scrappage scheme, what they’re actually doing is giving you a discount in exchange for removing your old windows and replacing them with new ones. The old units are taken away (usually at no extra charge), and a “scrappage allowance” is knocked off the price of the job.
But here’s the catch: that discount is often built into the quote to begin with. In other words, if you hadn’t asked for scrappage, you’d likely be given a lower quote in the first place. It’s a pricing tactic, one that relies on the idea that “scrappage scheme” sounds official and environmentally friendly, so it feels like you’re getting a better deal than you actually are.
We’ve seen examples where companies increase their standard prices by a few hundred pounds, only to “scrap” that extra cost as a discount once you mention you’ve got old windows to remove. Same job. Same price. Just different wording.
Is There Any Environmental Benefit?
Yes, but only if the materials are properly recycled. Most reputable installers will dispose of your old windows responsibly, whether or not there’s a “scrappage scheme” attached. uPVC can be recycled, as can aluminium and some types of glass, though it depends on the condition of the frames and the availability of recycling facilities locally.
But don’t assume that scrappage = eco-friendly. Some companies will simply take the old frames to general waste, especially if recycling them properly takes extra time or cost. If the environmental side of things matters to you, ask the installer directly where the materials go. A decent company will have a clear answer.
So, Should You Bother with a Scrappage Scheme?
In short: it depends on the deal. If you’re getting a quote you’re happy with and the company happens to call part of it a “scrappage allowance”, that’s fine, as long as you’re not being misled into thinking you’re part of some official scheme or being offered a time-limited rebate that doesn’t really exist.
Ask questions. Get multiple quotes. And always check the full price, not just how much is being “taken off”.
