How Much Does It Cost to Replace Aluminium Windows?

Key Takeaways

• Standard aluminium double glazing usually costs $1,500 to $2,500 per window installed in Melbourne, while a like-for-like single glazed swap can start near $300.
• Thermally broken frames typically add 30% to 60% to the window price, and can cut whole window heat transfer by a fifth to a third.
• Victorian households replacing single glazing may receive a state discount of up to $210 per 10m² of glazing.
• Three to four bedroom homes commonly budget $18,000 to $32,000 for a full aluminium replacement.

The cost to replace aluminium windows in Melbourne usually falls between $1,500 and $2,500 per window supplied and installed in standard double glazing. Single glazed replacements sit lower, and thermally broken systems sit higher.

That spread confuses homeowners because online guides often quote figures well under $1,000. Those numbers generally describe supply-only pricing or basic stock units, not a custom window measured to your opening and fitted by the manufacturer.

Knowing which tier you are pricing makes a quote easier to read. It also explains why a business handling window and door replacement end to end may price a job differently to a general glazier working from a rate card.

All figures below are indicative installed prices in Australian dollars, including Goods and Services Tax (GST), for common residential replacement work in Melbourne. Your own quote will vary with sizes, glazing, access and finishing scope, and it should confirm inclusions, exclusions and whether GST is included.

What Aluminium Window Replacement Costs in 2026

The same opening can be specified three ways. Frame construction and glazing move the number more than anything else:

Frame and Glazing	Typical Installed Range	Commonly Suited To
Standard aluminium, single glazed	$300 to $900	Like-for-like swaps on failing frames
Standard aluminium, double glazed	$1,500 to $2,500	Most residential upgrades
Thermally broken, double glazed	$2,000 to $4,000	Large openings and exposed sites

Ranges are per standard residential opening. Custom sizes, shapes and commercial systems are quoted individually.

Relative Style Costs

Hardware count, fabrication time and the span the frame carries all shift with style, so two windows of the same size can carry different prices:

Window Style	Relative Cost	What Drives It
Fixed	Baseline	Single panel and no operating hardware
Sliding	Slightly above baseline	Track and roller system
Awning	Slightly above baseline	Top hinges and compression seals
Casement	Moderately above baseline	Side hinges and more hardware per sash
Sashless double hung	Moderately above baseline	Twin sliding sashes and specialised hardware
Bay and rake	Furthest above baseline	Custom fabrication and possible lintel work

Aluminium carries wide spans on slim sightlines, which makes the larger configurations practical. Most styles sit inside the standard double glazing band. Bay and rake windows sit well beyond it, and where a wider opening needs its lintel reinforced, that alone can add $500 to $1,500.

Standard Quote Inclusions

Where the manufacturer also installs, the quote usually covers:

• Aluminium frame system fabricated to the measured opening
• Insulated glass unit in the specified glazing
• Removal and disposal of the existing window
• Installation into the existing opening
• Perimeter sealing and weatherproofing
• Standard internal finishing around the frame

Common Quote Exclusions

These items are quoted separately, and they are where two quotes most often diverge:

• Structural changes or enlarged openings
• Lintel replacement or reinforcement
• Major brick, render or cladding repair
• Scaffolding for difficult or upper-storey access
• Custom architectural detailing and non-standard shapes

Whole Home Budgets

Planning figures for a full aluminium replacement under standard access conditions:

Home Size	Typical Scope	Estimated Budget Range
2 to 3 bedroom	8 to 10 windows	$12,000 to $22,000
3 to 4 bedroom	10 to 15 windows	$18,000 to $32,000
5 bedroom and above	15 windows and above	$35,000 and above

These budgets assume standard double glazed openings at multi-window rates. Replacing several openings in one visit lowers the price per window because delivery, set-up and site protection are paid once rather than repeated across a staged project.

Where the Money Goes in an Aluminium Window

Two homes can order the same window count and receive different numbers. Six variables account for most of the gap:

Frame Performance and Thermal Breaks

Aluminium carries its thermal upgrade in the frame. A polyamide thermal break is set between the inner and outer sections to interrupt the path heat takes through the metal. Whole window U-values for standard aluminium double glazing commonly sit above 3.0 W/m²K, while thermally broken aluminium typically sits between 2.0 and 2.4 W/m²K.

That is a fifth to a third of the heat transfer removed, which is why the 30% to 60% thermal break premium is judged on comfort and condensation rather than on the frame price. Ask for certified Window Energy Rating Scheme figures for the system you are quoting.

Glass and Performance Upgrades

Glazing is specified opening by opening, so upgrades rarely apply across a whole house:

Upgrade	Typical Effect on Price
Low-emissivity (Low-E) coating	Priced per window, around $50 to $100
Acoustic laminated glass	Priced per opening, based on noise exposure
Toughened safety glass	Priced per opening, where compliance requires it

Upgrade costs vary with opening size and specification, so treat these as a budgeting guide rather than a fixed rate.

Custom Sizing and Local Fabrication

Windows built to a fixed range of standard sizes rarely match an existing opening. The opening is then packed out, rebated or partly rebuilt to suit the window, and that reinstatement is charged as part of the job.

Windows fabricated to a site measure avoid that work because the frame is made to the opening. Local manufacture also shortens the gap between measure and installation and keeps any warranty claim with the business that built the window.

Hardware and Screen Costs

Locks, rollers, hinges and seals usually sit inside the window price, although the grade varies. Two quotes can differ by a few hundred dollars on hardware alone, and that gap shows up years later in how smoothly the sash still runs.

Screens are commonly priced separately. A window flyscreen in Melbourne sits near $120, while a security screen compliant with the AS 5039 series, the Australian Standard for security screens, more often falls between $300 and $850 per window.

Access and Site Conditions

Ground floor openings with clear side access cost less to work in. Upper storey windows, narrow passages, steep blocks and the out-of-square openings common in older Melbourne homes all add labour.

Wall Reinstatement and Finishing

Brick veneer, render, weatherboard and cladding each need different treatment once the old frame is out. This is the line homeowners most often leave out of their own budget, and it explains many quote differences.

Supply Only or Supply and Install

Buying the windows on their own can reduce the invoice, although it moves several responsibilities onto you:

Choosing Supply Only

Supply only can suit a like-for-like replacement into existing openings where a licensed builder or carpenter is already engaged. It also allows you to compare products across suppliers before committing.

Choosing Supply and Install

Supply and install places measurement, manufacture and installation with one party, so a fault in the frame and a fault in the fit have one point of resolution.

Weighing Measurement Risk

Measuring is where a replacement is most likely to go wrong. Custom windows are made to your opening, so a five-millimetre error can mean a frame that will not sit flush and cannot be returned.

Removal, flashing, sealing and compliance with AS 2047, the standard governing window performance against wind and water, all sit with whoever holds the installation. That allocation usually matters more than the saving.

Rules and Rebates That Change Your Cost

Some rules settle the specification before price enters the conversation. Others change what you pay, and when you pay it:

Victorian Energy Upgrades Discounts

Victorian households and most businesses replacing single glazing may be eligible for a discount of up to $210 per 10m² under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program. Your supplier can confirm whether the system appears on the scheme register, and the discount is generally applied to the quote rather than claimed back later.

Amounts and eligibility change between scheme updates, so check the current discount with your supplier before building it into a budget.

Contract Deposit Limits

Victorian law caps what you pay upfront. Under the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995, a builder cannot demand a deposit above 10% where the contract price is under $20,000, or 5% where it is $20,000 or more. Those limits apply to a major domestic building contract, which is domestic building work priced above $10,000. On a $24,000 whole-home replacement that caps the deposit at $1,200.

The cap applies to installation work rather than a supply-only purchase, so the two models carry different protections as well as different prices. The Domestic Building Contracts Amendment Act 2025 moves these deposit limits into regulations, with changes commencing by proclamation and no later than 1 December 2026.

Heritage Overlay Restrictions

A heritage overlay may limit frame material, colour, sightlines and opening style. Councils assess these individually, so confirm your position before anything is ordered.

Bushfire Attack Level Requirements

Properties in bushfire-prone areas carry a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating that dictates glass thickness, screening and frame specification. Systems built to a higher BAL usually cost more than standard specifications.

Owners Corporation Approvals

Apartments and townhouses often sit under an owners corporation that controls changes to the external appearance of the building. Approval is generally needed before fabrication starts.

Energy Efficiency Standards

Replacing windows like-for-like in an existing home does not usually trigger the 7-star requirement, although a major renovation can. New Victorian homes must meet a 7-star Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme minimum under the National Construction Code (NCC).

NCC 2025 applies in Victoria from 1 May 2026 and made no change to the residential energy efficiency standard, so the 7-star minimum set under NCC 2022 still applies. Your building surveyor can confirm what your scope of work triggers.

What the Replacement Returns Over Time

Replacement cost is only half the calculation. The other half is what the windows give back over the years you own them:

Energy Savings and Payback

Double glazing reduces winter heat loss and summer heat gain, and typical payback runs about 7 to 15 years in a Melbourne climate. The comfort improvement is immediate, which is why most households notice the change long before the numbers balance.

Payback depends on how you heat and cool, how long you stay and what you pay for energy.

Service Life and Maintenance

Well-maintained aluminium windows commonly last 30 years or more. The alloy holds its shape through Melbourne’s temperature swings and the frames resist corrosion. Powder-coated finishes are applied in the factory, so there is no repainting cycle to budget for.

Hardware such as rollers, locks and seals tends to wear before the frame does, and those parts can be serviced rather than replaced. Spread across three decades, the running cost of aluminium is close to the cost of cleaning it.

Why the Window Company Matters as Much as the Product

The performance of a replacement window depends on more than the frame and glass specification. Accurate measurement, local manufacturing, correct installation and reliable after-sales support all influence how the window performs over its lifetime.

Arch Aluminium Windows & Doors supplies Australian-made aluminium windows fabricated locally for Melbourne homes. Each window is manufactured to suit the measured opening rather than forcing a standard-sized product into an existing space. This helps achieve a cleaner fit, better weather sealing and a more consistent finish.

Choosing an Australian manufacturer also makes it easier to resolve questions about the product, installation or warranty. Instead of dealing with separate suppliers, importers and contractors, homeowners have one local business responsible for the process from initial measurement through to installation.

Licensed Installation and Long-Term Warranty Protection

Even a high-performing aluminium window can underperform when it is measured or installed incorrectly. Poor installation can lead to draughts, water penetration, movement around the frame and premature wear of locks, rollers and seals.

Our windows are installed by experienced, appropriately licensed professionals who understand Melbourne construction methods and the requirements that apply to aluminium window replacement. The team takes care of removal, fitting, sealing, weatherproofing and standard finishing around the new frame.

Our products and workmanship are also supported by a written warranty [insert warranty period and key inclusions]. Before accepting a quote, homeowners should always check:

• Who is responsible for the product and installation warranty
• How long the frame, glass, hardware and workmanship are covered
• Whether the warranty is provided by an Australian business
• What happens if an adjustment or repair is needed after installation

A clear warranty provides greater confidence that the business will continue to support the installation after the final invoice has been paid.

Reviews and Independent Industry Standards

Online reviews can help homeowners understand how a window company communicates, manages installation and responds when something does not go exactly to plan. Rather than looking only at the overall rating, read recent Google reviews mentioning workmanship, punctuality, cleanliness, communication and after-sales service.

Arch Aluminium Windows & Doors is proud of the feedback received from Melbourne homeowners through our Google reviews. These experiences provide an additional point of reference when comparing window replacement quotes and deciding who to trust with the work.

Add once the membership has been formally approved:

Arch Aluminium Windows & Doors is also a member of the Australian Glass and Window Association (AGWA). AGWA membership demonstrates a commitment to recognised Australian industry standards, compliant products and professional business practices. It gives homeowners another level of confidence that their windows are being supplied and installed by a business connected to Australia’s leading window and glass industry association.

Recognising a Fair Quote

Most people replacing aluminium windows are not worried about the price itself. They are worried about not knowing whether the number in front of them covers the same job as the one beside it.

Once you can see which tier of frame you are pricing, which glazing sits in each opening and which site works are inside the figure, that doubt goes. The decision becomes one about specification rather than the total.

Arch Aluminium Windows & Doors fabricates architectural-grade aluminium in Rowville and sets out the frame system, glazing and site works separately, so the figure you receive after a site measure can be checked line by line.

If you would like a figure for your own openings, call our team on (03) 9989 0924 and we will talk through the specification and arrange a free quote.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why do some online guides quote much lower prices?

Supply-only pricing, standard stock sizes or basic single glazed units can sit well under $1,000 because they exclude measurement, removal, installation and reinstatement.

An installed quote covers the whole job, so comparing the two is comparing a part against the finished result.

Is it cheaper to replace the glass or the whole window?

Replacing glass alone is cheaper and makes sense where the frame is still sound and only the glazing has failed.

Once frames are draughty, corroded or sticking, the whole window is generally the better spend. New glass does not address air leakage around a failing frame, and older frames may not carry a double glazed unit properly.

Are thermally broken frames worth the extra cost?

It depends on the opening. On large glazing areas, exposed sites and homes working to a higher energy target, the improvement in whole window performance is substantial.

On smaller openings in sheltered positions, standard double glazing may deliver adequate comfort without the premium, so specifying by room rather than across the whole house usually gives better value.

Does a window replacement quote include GST?

Not always. Some suppliers quote inclusive of GST and others quote before it, which can make two otherwise identical figures look 10% apart.

Checking that one line before you compare totals removes a common source of confusion in window quotes.

How long does aluminium window replacement take?

Most of the wait is fabrication, because the windows are made to your openings. Lead times commonly run four to six weeks, and eight to ten weeks on more complex systems and glazing.

Installation is quick by comparison. Most homes are completed within a few days, depending on window count and access.

Do I need a permit to replace windows in an existing home?

Like-for-like replacement into existing openings usually does not require a permit. Enlarging an opening, altering the structure or working on a property under a heritage overlay generally does.

Requirements vary between councils, so check locally before committing to a specification.

Should I compare quotes per window or per square metre?

Most residential jobs are quoted per opening because every window is a different size and configuration. Square metre rates suit larger jobs and work as a budgeting shortcut rather than a final price.

Problems start when one quote arrives per window and another per square metre. Convert both to the same basis before comparing, or ask each supplier to price the same window schedule.

This page is general information only. It does not consider your objectives, property or circumstances, and pricing, rebate amounts and regulatory requirements change over time. Speak with a qualified building professional, confirm current requirements with your council or building surveyor, and request a written quotation following a site measure before acting.