Do you need a permit to replace windows in Lausanne?

It depends on the building and the nature of the work. A like-for-like replacement in an ordinary apartment block is not treated as a change to the facade, but that is not the case everywhere. The building permit is issued by the municipality, with a referral to CAMAC (the cantonal permit coordination office) when cantonal departments need to give an opinion. Check with the commune before ordering.

Can you freely choose the window material in the Cité?

Not always. In the old town or on a protected building, the material, the design of the frames and the division of the glazing may be imposed. It is better to ask the commune or the competent cantonal department before requesting quotes, so that you only compare offers that can actually be carried out.

Is window replacement subsidised in the canton of Vaud?

Often only as part of a wider renovation, under the cantonal subsidy programme. The conditions change: consult the cantonal energy department before signing, because an application filed after the work may not be accepted.

Is double glazing enough against noise in the city?

Higher-performance glazing generally improves sound insulation, but the result also depends on the airtightness of the seals, the thickness of the panes and the installation. If you overlook a busy road or the railway lines, mention it in your request so that the offers take it into account.

Can a tenant have the windows of their flat replaced?

Windows are part of the building envelope: the decision rests with the landlord or, in co-ownership, with the owners' meeting. A tenant can report draughts or comfort problems, but cannot launch the replacement alone.

Windows and Double Glazing in Lausanne

Are you looking for windows and double glazing in Lausanne because air gets through, the panes mist up or the street is too audible? Replacing windows in Lausanne is not just a matter of choosing a frame: the city is built on a slope between Lake Geneva and the heights above, it has a protected old town and buildings that differ greatly from one neighbourhood to the next. This page explains what these particularities change for an exterior joinery project.

What kinds of window replacement are found in Lausanne?

The most common requests are replacing old single-glazed windows or double glazing that has become inadequate, changing the seals and dealing with airtightness defects around the frame. The choice of material (wood, PVC, wood-aluminium or metal) comes on top of the choice of glazing: double or triple, with glass suited to the exposure and the noise.

There are also roof windows, in the converted attics of houses and older buildings. Replacing them affects the roof covering: it is often coordinated with the roofer, or even with roofing work in Lausanne.

Slope, lake and upper districts: how facades are exposed

Lausanne descends from the upper part of the city down to Ouchy, on the lakeshore. This topography creates very varied situations: a facade facing Lake Geneva is exposed to light and wind, while another overlooks a street below or an embankment. On a slope, site access matters: a building set against the hillside, a terraced villa or a narrow street makes it harder to bring in large panes and to set up scaffolding or a hoist.

The Vaud climate remains mild beside Lake Geneva, but the upper districts are more exposed to wind and cold than the lakeshore. This is not a question of dramatic altitude: the city lies on the slopes above Lake Geneva rather than in the mountains. For you, this mainly means that the orientation of each facade weighs more than the average for the commune. Ask the company to explain the choice of glazing facade by facade, rather than accepting a uniform solution for the whole building.

City noise: roads, railway lines and nightlife

Lausanne is a university city, next to UNIL and EPFL, and the seat of the International Olympic Committee. It is also lively and dense. Depending on the address, the nuisance comes from traffic, the railway lines or shopping streets. The very steep m2 metro runs through the city, a reminder that traffic is organised on several levels; sloping streets can make vehicle noise more noticeable.

If noise is your main reason for changing windows, say so from the start of your request. Acoustic glazing, carefully fitted seals and correct installation count as much as the number of panes. Specify which side the noise comes from and which rooms are affected, bedrooms first. A quote that only mentions thermal performance may be overlooking the essential point.

Windows in the Cité and on a protected building

The old town of the Cité, around the cathedral, falls under a different regime from the more recent districts. On a protected building, the material and design of the windows may be imposed: frame proportions, division of the panes, colour, profiles. Standard PVC is not necessarily allowed there; crafted wood or made-to-measure joinery may be required.

Depending on how they are listed, this also applies to buildings and houses outside the Cité. Before ordering anything, ask the commune whether your building is concerned and what conditions apply. The Lavaux vineyards, a World Heritage site, are a reminder that the canton of Vaud attaches importance to its built and landscape heritage; depending on the location, particular requirements may exist.

In the canton of Vaud, the building permit is issued by the municipality of the commune. When cantonal departments need to give an opinion, the file goes through the cantonal permit coordination office (CAMAC). For a window replacement, the question is whether the change to the appearance of the facade requires a permit: the commune must answer that, and it should be asked before the work, especially in the old town or on a protected building.

On the energy side, the Vaud energy law and the cantonal energy department frame the subject, and a cantonal subsidy programme exists. Window replacement is often eligible for a subsidy only as part of a wider renovation, depending on the conditions in force. Check them with the competent cantonal department before signing a quote, and keep the offers and invoices.

Finally, in a rented building the decision belongs to the landlord; in co-ownership, since the windows are part of the facade, the owners’ meeting generally has to decide. A tenant who wishes to improve their home must obtain the owner’s written consent before requesting offers.

Describing your project to compare window quotes

To obtain comparable quotes, describe your building: house, villa or apartment block, approximate period, floor, access from the street. Give the number of windows, their approximate dimensions, the current material and the one you are considering, as well as any roof windows. Add your priorities: thermal insulation, noise, maintenance, appearance.

A serious quote itemises:

the material and type of frame, and the nature of the glazing (double or triple, acoustic glass or not);
the removal of the old windows and their disposal;
the installation, airtightness and connections with the facade, the reveal and the shutters or blinds;
interior and exterior finishes, colour included;
what is included or not: scaffolding, paperwork, making good the walls.

The cost varies according to the material, the glazing, the size and number of windows, special shapes, site access and the condition of the facade. On a slope or in the old town, access and style requirements often weigh more than the price of the glass alone. Compare what each quote includes rather than the total alone.

When your request is ready, you can request a quote: the site is a neutral matching service, and tradespeople and companies in the region may contact you to prepare a free, no-obligation quote.

Useful pages for your window project in Lausanne

The trade: windows and double glazing
The city: home improvement in Lausanne
The canton: canton of Vaud
Other work in Lausanne: plumber in Lausanne, roofing in Lausanne, bathroom renovation in Lausanne