Anthracite grey & colour windows

Anthracite grey has quietly become the UK’s favourite window colour — that deep, textured charcoal (RAL 7016) sits beautifully against brick, render and stone. But it’s far from the only option. Here’s how coloured frames work and how to pick a finish you’ll still love in ten years.

Why anthracite grey took over

Grey flatters almost every property. On a crisp white-render new build it looks sharp and architectural; on a red-brick semi it adds a smart, modern contrast; and on a period home it reads as a softer alternative to black. It also hides road grime better than white and pairs naturally with grey composite front doors, aluminium bi-folds and dark guttering — which is why so many whole-house updates land on anthracite. It’s a genuine all-rounder, and proof that there are windows for every home in the palette.

The full colour palette

Beyond anthracite, the popular finishes include:

• Cream & off-whites — warm and traditional, lovely on cottages and rendered homes.
• Black — bold and contemporary, or a nod to old Crittall steel windows.
• Chartwell & sage greens — a soft heritage look that suits countryside and coastal properties.
• Agate & light greys — a gentler grey for a subtler contrast.
• Blues, reds and bespoke RAL colours — for front doors and statement frames.

These colours look especially crisp on a flush casement, where the level sightline shows the finish off cleanly.

Foils, dual colour and durability

On uPVC, colour usually comes from a foil laminated onto the frame — modern foils are UV-stable and hold their colour well, and they can carry a realistic woodgrain texture too. A popular trick is dual colour: grey or black outside for kerb appeal, white inside so rooms stay bright and neutral. Aluminium and timber frames are powder-coated or painted instead, opening up almost any RAL shade. Whatever the material, ask about the finish warranty at survey.

Getting the look right

Colour is a per-frame choice, so you can be consistent across the whole house or pick out a feature. If you’re also choosing glass, remember privacy and solar-control options can be combined with any colour — you can get glass options priced at the same time. And if you’re not sure which frame style carries grey best on your type of house, our window styles by home type hub is a good place to start. These guides pair well:

Costing a coloured re-window

Coloured and dual-colour finishes usually add a modest amount over standard white, and doing a whole house at once keeps the look consistent. Funding and contribution options may be available for those who qualify, subject to eligibility and a home survey, and £0-upfront options may be available for some households. For a full-frontage update, read up on funding routes for bigger projects before you commit.