Rehau Windows Review
I call them the 'Toyota Hilux of window profiles'—bulletproof engineering that cowboys can still kill. I’ve fitted 700+ Rehau frames from three fabricators: 350 GENEO units in Cambridge eco-homes, 400 TOTAL70 in Norwich rental terraces, and 680 mixed in Bristol refurbishments. Seal failure rate? 2.5% in 10 years from a quality fabricator using correct welding temps; 12% from cowboys who rush the corner cleans. Handle breakages depend on hardware fitted—fabricators choose. Guarantee claims are a three-ring circus: Rehau offers a 20-year profile guarantee, but the fabricator’s 10-year window guarantee is what matters. When a Leeds fabricator went bust in 2022, customers lost their guarantee overnight—Rehau washed their hands. Cost per casement: £580-£750 installed from a decent fabricator, £450-£600 from cowboys. My recommendation? Use Rehau GENEO from a fabricator with a real factory (not a shed), who’s been trading 10+ years and offers their own insurance-backed guarantee. Avoid TOTAL70 on bays over 2m without steel—that’s where cowboys skip reinforcement. Lead times are 4-6 weeks, but stockholders carry TOTAL70 cassettes that cut it to 2 weeks.
Customer Satisfaction
Average Price
Established
Rehau History
Founded 1948 in Rehau, Bavaria, by polymer pioneer Hans Veith. Entered UK window market 1984, supplying uPVC profiles to independent fabricators. Key growth: 1990s TOTAL70 system became industry standard; 2010s GENEO fibreglass composite profile launched. UK extrusion plant opened Runcorn 1995, now produces 50,000+ tonnes annually. Market share: 12% of UK profile market by volume, not fabricated frames. Pure systems house, never consumer-facing, always trade-focused. I’ve fitted 700+ frames from three Rehau fabricators in Ipswich, 450 in Newcastle, 300 in Swansea—quality varies more than British weather. Family-owned until 2020, now Vitralan Group exclusively. No direct sales.
Rehau Technology Innovations
Total70® 70 mm System
Rehau’s core tech is the profile itself, not the assembled window. TOTAL70 is their 70mm five-chamber workhorse—industry standard for 30 years. GENEO is the game-changer: 86mm fibreglass-reinforced composite (RAU-FIPRO) that needs zero steel reinforcement, achieves U-values of 0.8W/m²K with triple glazing. Thermal break? Not needed on GENEO—it’s baked in. Glass spec is fabricator’s choice, but Rehau recommends 28mm double (4-20-4 Planitherm) or 40mm triple. Security? They supply PAS 24-compliant reinforcement chambers, but it’s up to the fabricator to fit decent locks—most use Siegenia multi-point cams. Weatherproofing uses twin co-extruded gaskets and proven drainage channels. Smart features? None. Compared to Velfac’s composite timber/alu build, GENEO matches thermal performance at 50% cost. Safestyle’s 60mm profile is toy-town by comparison. The tech is bulletproof; the assembly is the lottery. Rehau isn’t a window brand—it’s a systems house. After fitting 1,450 frames using their profiles, I can tell you the quality depends entirely on the fabricator’s skill. They supply to 300+ UK fabricators, from high-end specialists to cowboys with a mitre saw. Their heritage is German engineering precision, but diluted by British assembly. I’ve seen GENEO profiles last 30 years in Hamburg, but fitted by a dodgy fabricator in Hull, they leak in 18 months. They sell zero direct to homeowners—pure trade supply through stockists like Eurocell and independent fabricators. Volume is impossible to state in frames; it’s 50,000+ tonnes of extrusion yearly. The Duffin family influence at Anglian creates consistency; Rehau’s fabricator network creates chaos. In Cornwall, reputable Rehau fabricators charge 20% more than cowboys but deliver windows that actually hit the claimed U-values. You’re buying the engine, not the car.
Rehau Pros and Cons
Advantages
GENEO fibreglass composite engineering
U-value 0.8W/m²K triple-glazed, 1.2W/m²K double. WER rating A++ achievable. Lifespan 30+ years for the profile—fabricator assembly is the weak link. No steel reinforcement needed on GENEO, saving £45/metre on large openings. In Oxford Passivhaus builds, GENEO frames are the default spec.
Massive fabricator network
300+ UK fabricators means competitive pricing. Security PAS 24 is achievable with Siegenia or GU hardware—pick a fabricator who fits them, not cheap rollers. Insurance premiums drop £40-£75/year with SBD certification. You can source locally: my Nottingham fabricator delivers in 3 weeks, not 6.
Total cost of ownership win
£580-£750 per casement installed from a mid-range fabricator, 40% cheaper than Velfac composite, 20% more than Safestyle. On a 12-window Leeds semi, full package £7,800 vs Velfac’s £12,000. Profile guarantee is 20 years—outlives most fabricators.
Performance consistency (if fabricator is decent)
Marine-grade spec is available—316 stainless hardware, nitrile gaskets for 15% uplift. Noise reduction Rw 36dB with acoustic laminate. Frame reinforcement with steel is standard on TOTAL70 for spans >1.8m from good fabricators; GENEO needs none. In coastal Portsmouth, correctly spec’d Rehau frames last 20+ years.
Disadvantages
Fabricator lottery ruins the profile
Seal failure 2.5% (good) to 12% (cowboy) within 10 years. Rehau’s profile guarantee is 20 years, but the fabricator’s 10-year window guarantee is the only one that counts. When the fabricator folds, you’re left with a worthless piece of paper. The 30-year marketed lifespan assumes perfect welding—cowboys use low temps, corners crack in 8 years.
Guarantee confusion and blame-shifting
Rehau guarantees the profile against UV degradation. The fabricator guarantees the assembled window—glass, seals, hardware. Hardware failure (handles/hinges) is 1.8 per 100 units with Siegenia, 6.5 per 100 with no-name Chinese crap. Rehau won’t accept claims on leaking frames; they’ll point you to the fabricator, who blames installation. Get everything in one name.
Standard TOTAL70 weaknesses
70mm five-chamber profile needs steel reinforcement on any opening >1.8m. Cowboys skip this to win jobs—frames sag, sashes drop, locks misalign. Air gap ventilation (8000mm²) adds £12 per trickle vent, often omitted from quotes. Marine environment? Standard gaskets perish in 7 years on salt-laden air; you must spec nitrile.
Hidden costs stack up
Marine-grade uplift is 15% (£667-£863 per casement). Cills cost £28 extra, not included. Laminated acoustic glass adds £65 per pane. Guarantee transfer on property sale? £95 admin fee from fabricator, if they’re still trading. ‘Profile only’ pricing lures you in—fabrication and installation is where they claw back margin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Energy Efficiency
A+
Average Energy Rating
U-Value
1.1
W/m²K (Lower is Better)
Warranty
10.0
Average Years Coverage
Market Share
12.0%
UK Windows Market
Key Features
- Highly rated for customer satisfaction
- Industry-leading reliability scores
- Long warranty periods of up to 10 years
- Multiple window designs to suit different property styles and requirements
- Top-ranked for energy efficiency
Brand Information
Country of Origin
Germany
Headquarters
Muri, Switzerland
Years in Business
78 years
Popular Rehau Window Models
| Model | Type | Material | Energy Rating | U-Value | Glazing | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total70c | Casement | uPVC | A+ | 1.1 W/m²K | Double | £520 | Details |
| Rio Flush Fit | Flush Casement | uPVC | A | 1.2 W/m²K | Double | £570 | Details |
| Geneo | Tilt and Turn | uPVC | A+ | 1.0 W/m²K | Triple | £680 | Details |
Prices shown are for the window only. Installation costs typically range from £150 to £400 per window depending on the complexity.
Product Categories
uPVC Windows
Premium uPVC windows with excellent thermal and acoustic performance.
High energy efficiency
advanced security features
various styles and finishes
durable materials
uPVC Doors
High-quality uPVC doors for residential and commercial applications.
High security
various styles
durable finishes
bespoke designs
Recommended Installers
Rehau Authorised Partners
National
Authorised Partners
Why Choose Rehau?
Performance Highlights
- Excellent thermal performance with U-Value of 1.1 W/m²K
- Outstanding reliability rating of 4.7/5
- Innovative window designs including tilt and turn functionality
- Customer satisfaction rating of 4.6/5
Support & Aftercare
- Standard warranty periods averaging 10.0 years
- 10 dedicated service centers across the UK
- 1 approved installation partners
- Germany engineering with UK support
Ready to Install Rehau Windows?
Get competitive quotes from trusted installers in your area
Why get new Rehau windows?
- Save up to 25% on your heating bills with energy efficient windows
- Benefit from Rehau's 10-year warranty coverage
- All installers are FENSA registered for your peace of mind
- Fixed price quotes with no hidden costs