The SEAI online application portal for standalone windows and doors grants is now live. Works ordered from 27 January 2026 are eligible. Apply on seai.ie →
What Changed in 2026
For the first time ever, SEAI now offers a standalone grant for windows and doors. Previously, window grants were only available as part of a full deep retrofit through a One Stop Shop (requiring BER B2 or better and multiple upgrades). Now you can apply for windows only, doors only, or both, as a simple individual grant.
This is one of the most requested changes in years. Windows and doors account for 15–20% of heat loss in a typical home, and upgrading old single or double glazing can noticeably improve comfort, reduce draughts, cut noise, and lower heating bills.
Grant Amounts by Property Type
| Measure | Detached | Semi-D / End | Mid-Terrace | Apartment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | €4,000 | €3,000 | €1,800 | €1,500 |
| External doors (€800 each, max 2) | €1,600 | |||
| Maximum combined | €5,600 | €4,600 | €3,400 | €3,100 |
These are fixed grant amounts, not percentages. You can claim windows only, doors only, or both together in a single application. The grant is a once-off, you cannot apply again later for the same property.
The HLI Requirement (This Is the Key)
Heat Loss Indicator (HLI)
Your home must achieve a Heat Loss Indicator of 2.3 W/K·m² or lower after works to qualify for the windows grant. The HLI measures how quickly heat escapes from your home, lower is better.
In practice, this means your attic and walls must already be insulated to a good standard. If your BER Advisory Report rates attic and wall insulation as “Good” or “Very Good,” you likely qualify.
Not sure? A BER assessor can check your HLI before you apply. Book a BER →
How to check your HLI
- Check your existing BER Advisory Report. if attic and wall insulation are rated “Good” or “Very Good,” you’re likely fine
- Previous SEAI insulation grants?. if you’ve already received SEAI grants for attic and wall insulation, your home probably meets the standard
- Get a BER assessment. the definitive answer. Your assessor will calculate the exact HLI and tell you whether additional insulation is needed first
You can still get windows, you just need to upgrade insulation first. SEAI grants for attic and wall insulation are available now and can bring your HLI down to qualifying level. Many homeowners do insulation and windows in sequence, claiming grants for each step.
Full Eligibility Requirements
- Home must be built and occupied before 31 December 2010
- You must own the property (owner-occupiers, landlords, OMCs, approved housing bodies, registered charities, and holiday home owners all qualify)
- Work must be done by an SEAI-registered windows/doors contractor
- New windows must achieve a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K or better (most modern double and triple glazing meets this)
- Triple glazing required on north-facing windows; minimum double glazing on other orientations
- Post-works BER must show HLI ≤ 2.3 or attic/walls rated “Good”/“Very Good”
- Works must be ordered on or after 27 January 2026
- This is a once-off grant per property
What Do New Windows and Doors Cost?
| Home Type | Windows (est.) | 2 Doors (est.) | Total Cost | Grant | Your Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-bed semi (8–10 windows) | €8,000–€14,000 | €2,000–€3,500 | €10,000–€17,500 | €4,600 | €5,400–€12,900 |
| 4-bed detached (12–16 windows) | €12,000–€22,000 | €2,500–€4,000 | €14,500–€26,000 | €5,600 | €8,900–€20,400 |
| 2-bed apartment (4–6 windows) | €4,000–€7,000 | €1,500–€2,500 | €5,500–€9,500 | €3,100 | €2,400–€6,400 |
Costs vary significantly by frame material (uPVC is cheapest, aluminium is premium), glass specification (double vs triple), and number of windows. The indicative figures above are for A-rated uPVC windows. Always get at least three quotes from SEAI-registered contractors.
How to Apply
There are two routes:
Route A: Manage It Yourself
- Check your HLI / get a BER assessment
- Get quotes from SEAI-registered contractors
- Apply on the SEAI portal at seai.ie
- Complete the work
- Get a post-works BER
- Upload documents. SEAI pays you directly
Route B: Use a One Stop Shop
- Contact an SEAI-registered One Stop Shop
- They assess your home and handle everything
- Grant is deducted from your bill upfront
- Best if you also need insulation upgrades
- Potentially higher combined grant value
- See our One Stop Shop guide →
Expected Savings
Upgrading from old single or original double glazing to modern A-rated windows can reduce heating bills by €100–€400 per year depending on your home size and heating system. The bigger benefits are comfort and noise reduction:
- Draughts eliminated. modern sealed units stop air infiltration through frames
- Cold spots gone. no more sitting away from windows in winter
- Condensation reduced. warmer glass surface means less moisture build-up
- Noise reduction. double and triple glazing significantly reduces outside noise
- Security improved. modern multi-point locking systems
- BER improvement. typically 1–2 rating levels, increasing property value
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but only if you ordered on or after 27 January 2026 (the date of the government announcement). Works ordered before that date are not eligible, regardless of when they were installed.
No. You can replace some or all windows. However, the grant amount is fixed based on property type, not the number of windows replaced. So you receive the same grant whether you replace 3 windows or 12.
Yes. Unlike most Better Energy Homes grants (which require owner-occupancy), the windows and doors grant is available to landlords, OMCs, approved housing bodies, registered charities, and holiday home owners.
U-value measures how well a single element (a window, a wall) prevents heat loss. HLI measures heat loss from the whole building together. Your new windows need a U-value of 1.4 or better. Your overall home needs an HLI of 2.3 or better. Both conditions must be met.
Absolutely. You can claim the windows grant alongside insulation grants, heat pump grants, solar grants, and more. In fact, SEAI encourages a whole-house approach. Insulation grants guide →
Triple glazing is required on north-facing windows under the grant scheme. South, east, and west-facing windows can be double glazed (minimum). Triple glazing everywhere provides better performance but at higher cost.