Windows · by material
Aluminium windows
Aluminium frames are strong enough to be slim, so you see more glass and less frame. Modern ones have a thermal break inside the frame, which stops the cold getting through and puts them on a par with uPVC for warmth. They come powder coated in almost any colour.
Is it right for your home?
Suits
- Modern and contemporary houses
- Large openings where a slim frame matters
- Anyone who wants a dark colour that won't fade
Good points
- Slim sightlines and more glass
- Very long life, with no warping
- Any colour, powder coated
Watch out for
- Costs much more than uPVC
- Only thermally broken frames are worth buying
- Can look out of place on a period house
What aluminium windows cost
Aluminium windows typically cost £8,500 (3-bed semi, nine casement windows), with most jobs between £5,000 and £12,000. That includes VAT at 20%. Fitting takes 2–4 days on site.
What you would actually pay
Typical 3-bed semi, nine casement windows · UK- Typical installed cost Aluminium windows, supplied and fitted
- £7,083
- VAT at 20% Standard rate
- £1,417
- Net cost to you
- £8,500
If you borrowed £8,500.00 over 36 months at 0.0%, it would cost £236.11 a month – £8,500.00 in total, of which £0.00 is interest. The last payment would be £236.15.
Illustration only – not a quote, not an offer of credit, and not financial advice. Rates depend on your circumstances and creditworthiness.
Where the money goes
| Element | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Windows, made to measure Nine thermally broken aluminium casements, powder coated, with double glazed units. | £4,000 – £9,200 |
| Fitting Two fitters removing the old frames and fixing the new ones. Aluminium is heavier, so it can take longer. | £780 – £2,000 |
| Removing the old windows Taking out and disposing of the old frames. | £240 – £660 |
| Scaffolding or towers Where upstairs windows can't be reached safely. | £0 – £500 |
Guide prices including VAT. Your actual cost depends on your home, access and specification.
What moves the price
- Thermal break
Every frame worth buying has one. Check the quote names the system and its window energy rating, because older or cheaper sections lose heat through the metal.
- Size of the panes
Aluminium earns its price on large panes. Small windows cost almost as much per frame for less benefit.
- Colour
Most colours cost the same, as every frame is powder coated. A different colour inside and out, or a textured finish, adds to it.
- Lead time
Aluminium is often made further away and takes longer to arrive than uPVC, and a rushed job usually costs more.
What should be in a quote
If a quote is missing any of these, ask why before you compare it with another.
- The number of windows, each one's size and style, and which panes open
- The frame profile or brand, its colour inside and out, and the guarantee on frames and glass
- The glass: its energy rating or U-value, whether it is toughened where it needs to be, and any obscure panes
- Removal and disposal of the old windows and frames
- Making good the plaster and reveals inside, and new sills and trims
- FENSA or CERTASS registration, so the work is certified under Building Regulations
- Whether the guarantee is insurance-backed, and what deposit is asked for
Prices by region
Labour is most of the difference. Typical price (3-bed semi, nine casement windows), including VAT.
| Region | Typical | vs UK average |
|---|---|---|
| London | £10,500 | +25% |
| South East | £10,000 | +17% |
| South West | £9,400 | +10% |
| East of England | £9,000 | +6% |
| West Midlands | £8,900 | +4% |
| Scotland | £8,700 | +2% |
| East Midlands | £8,500 | UK average |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £8,500 | UK average |
| North West | £8,300 | −2% |
| North East | £8,100 | −5% |
| Wales | £8,000 | −6% |
| Northern Ireland | £7,500 | −12% |
Common questions
Are aluminium windows cold?
Old ones were. A modern frame with a thermal break is about as warm as uPVC. Ask for the window energy rating or U-value to compare.
Do aluminium windows suffer from condensation?
Thermally broken frames rarely do. Condensation on any window usually means the room needs more ventilation.
Get quotes for your home
A guide price only takes you so far. Local firms can price the work on your own home, and comparing a few quotes is the quickest way to see what is reasonable.
Compare free quotes