Aluminium windows cost between £350 and £750 per standard window, supplied and fitted in the UK. The average sits around £475 per window, or £500 per square metre. Your final price depends on size, style, colour, glazing and how many windows you order together.
Every week I hear the same question from homeowners across Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. How much do aluminium windows cost for a typical semi or Victorian terrace? Three quotes often land with different units and exclusions, so comparing them isn’t easy. That’s not always an accident. It’s often how a weaker quote is made to look cheaper.
This guide breaks the range down properly. You’ll see real UK pricing by window style, why aluminium windows cost per m² can mislead you, and where the cost difference between uPVC and aluminium windows actually comes from.
How Much Do Aluminium Windows Cost?
A standard aluminium window, supplied and fitted, typically runs from £350 to £750. Most UK homeowners pay around £475 per window. That average shifts once you factor in style, colour and glazing choices. That’s exactly where quotes start to diverge.
Average Cost of Aluminium Windows Per Window
Per-window pricing is the clearest way to compare quotes on a small project. For a single window replacement, expect £400 to £800 for a casement. That figure rises towards £1,200 for a tilt and turn unit with dual-function hardware.
Here’s the part most first-time buyers get wrong. A cheap single window quote often looks generous. That’s usually because it strips out delivery, disposal of the old frame, and finishing trims. Ask what’s actually included before you compare two numbers side by side. For homeowners comparing window styles and replacement options, Flush Sash UPVC also provides made-to-measure window solutions across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Aluminium Windows Cost per m²: Why This Measure Can Be Misleading
Per square metre pricing sits around £500 per m² on average. It rarely reflects what you’ll actually pay for a small window. A tiny bathroom window still needs a frame, hardware, a survey visit and an install slot. So its price per m² looks inflated next to a large lounge window.
Smaller openings carry more fixed cost per square metre than larger ones. If a supplier quotes purely on aluminium windows cost per m² without breaking it down by window, ask them to show you the per-window figure too. That’s the number that actually predicts your invoice.
What a Supply Only Price Actually Excludes
A supply only price covers the manufactured frame alone. It typically excludes fitting labour, scaffolding or access equipment, VAT, cills, trickle vents and FENSA certification paperwork. Once those are added back in, a supply-only figure can undersell the true total by a wide margin.
Here’s a detail worth knowing. Two suppliers can quote the same frame at wildly different prices. That’s often because one is quoting supply only and the other supply and fit. Always ask which one you’re looking at before you compare figures.
What Is the Cost of Aluminium Windows by Style?
Window style is the second biggest factor after size. Casement windows sit at the lower end. Sliding and tilt-and-turn styles cost more. Bay or bow configurations carry the highest price of all.
Casement Windows: The Baseline Price
Casement windows are the reference point most suppliers price everything else against.
They typically cost £400 to £800 per window. Their simple hinge and single opening sash keep manufacturing straightforward. That keeps costs lower than more mechanically complex styles.
Flush Casement, Tilt and Turn, and Sliding Sash Costs
Flush sash windows sit slightly above standard casement.
They generally add around 8 percent to the base price. That’s because the sash sits flush with the frame and needs tighter manufacturing tolerances.
Vertical sliding windows work on a different mechanism entirely, and that shows in the price.
They run from £500 to £1,000, reflecting the extra material and balance system involved.
Tilt and turn windows cost more again, from £600 to £1,200, because of the dual opening hardware.
Why Bay and Bow Windows Cost More
Bay and bow configurations cost more than any single window style. That’s because they involve multiple linked panels and, often, structural support posts. It’s priced as a structural project, which is why bay quotes vary so widely between properties.
A three-panel bay window isn’t priced as three casement windows added together.
Fixed and Picture Windows: The Cheapest Option
Fixed or picture windows are the least expensive option, from £400 to £700. They have no moving parts, hinges, or locking hardware to manufacture and fit. They suit large feature openings where ventilation isn’t the priority.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Aluminium Windows?
Five things move your total price more than anything else. Size and quantity matter most. Colour, glazing specification and access difficulty follow close behind. If you’re wondering how much an aluminium window costs for your specific project, these five factors are what your surveyor will actually assess on the visit, not just the window opening itself.
Window Size and Number of Panes
Larger windows cost more in total. But they often cost less per square metre, since the fixed costs of hardware and labour spread across more glass. A wide lounge window and a narrow bathroom window can carry a similar base cost despite the size difference. Both still need a frame, a survey and an install visit.
Frame Colour, RAL Options and Dual Colour Finishes
Standard white or grey finishes are usually included in a base quote. Choosing from the wider RAL colour range costs more. So does a dual colour finish with a different shade inside and out. Expect 10 to 20 percent on top of the base cost of aluminium windows.
This is where quotes usually start to diverge. Two identical frames in different colours can land hundreds of pounds apart. It’s rarely explained clearly on a printed quote.
If your property sits in a conservation area, here’s what to check before choosing frame colour. Some conservation guidelines restrict visible frame colours from the street, even where the material itself is permitted. Confirm this with your local planning team before you commit to a finish.
Thermal Break Technology and U Values Explained
A thermal break is a strip of low-conductivity material, usually polyamide, set inside the aluminium frame. It stops heat passing straight through the metal. Without it, aluminium performs poorly. With it, a modern frame can reach U values that compete directly with uPVC and timber alternatives. That’s exactly what allows aluminium to hold its own on energy performance despite the higher price.
Glazing Specification: Double vs Triple Glazing
Double glazing remains the standard specification for most UK homes. It sits within the pricing already covered above. Triple glazing adds further cost. It’s generally worthwhile on north-facing rooms or homes near busy roads, and less so on a small internal window that already performs well.
Installation Complexity, Access and Location
Ground floor windows with clear driveway access cost less to fit. Upper floor windows needing scaffolding cost more. So do properties on a terraced street with no off-road parking for a delivery vehicle. Location plays a part too. Homes in London and the South East typically see higher aluminium window prices than the national average, reflecting labour and site access costs in the region.
That changes depending on whether you’re in a conservation area; here’s why. Listed buildings and some conservation zones require Listed Building Consent rather than standard FENSA-covered work. That can add time before installation even begins.
Price aside, there’s a friction point homeowners rarely ask about until installation week arrives. Fitting brings a day or two of noise and dust. There’s an installer’s van parked outside. On terraced streets with permit-only parking, that can mean a temporary permit or an early conversation with neighbours. None of it is difficult.
But it’s worth planning for rather than discovering on the morning your fitters arrive. Installers across Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, including towns like Chesham, Marlow, Witney and Thame, all work around the same weather-dependent install windows, since sealing a frame properly needs dry conditions.
Cost Difference Between uPVC and Aluminium Windows
Aluminium windows generally cost 30 to 50 percent more than an equivalent uPVC window of the same size and style. That gap comes down to raw material cost, the thermal break manufacturing process, and slimmer, more labour-intensive frame profiles.
Why Aluminium Costs More Than uPVC
uPVC frames are thicker and cheaper to produce. They’re also more widely available, which keeps their base price lower. Aluminium’s strength allows for much slimmer sightlines and larger glass areas within the same opening. But that strength, and the thermal break needed to make it energy efficient, both feed into the cost difference between uPVC and aluminium windows.
Long-Term Value: Lifespan and Maintenance Compared
Aluminium frames typically last 30 to 45 years. uPVC frames last 20 to 25 years. Aluminium needs little more than an occasional wipe-down, rather than the periodic upkeep some uPVC finishes require. Whether that longer lifespan justifies the higher upfront cost depends on how long you plan to stay in the property.
When Aluminium Is Worth the Extra Cost
Aluminium tends to earn its price on larger openings and contemporary extensions. It also earns its price on properties where slim sightlines genuinely change the look of a room. On a small, low-visibility utility window, the extra spend is harder to justify. I’d say so plainly to any homeowner who asked. It’s worth correcting a common misconception here too. Aluminium doesn’t simply cost double uPVC across the board. The gap varies by style and size. On some smaller casement windows it’s closer to a quarter more, not double.
How Much Does an Aluminium Window Cost for a Whole House?
A full house order brings the average price per window down. Survey, delivery and installation costs spread across more units, rather than being repeated for each one. So how much does an aluminium window cost once you’re ordering eight or ten at once, rather than just one or two?
Typical Costs for a 3 Bedroom House
A homeowner in Buckinghamshire replacing eight windows on a typical 1930s semi might expect a survey within one to two weeks. Manufacturing lead time usually runs four to six weeks. Installation takes one to two days on site, weather and access permitting. At an average of £475 per window, eight standard casement windows land broadly in the £3,500 to £6,000 range before any style upgrades.
Compare that with a period cottage in a conservation area town centre, such as parts of Amersham or Beaconsfield old town. The window count might be similar. But Listed Building Consent checks, restricted frame colours and narrower Victorian openings can extend the timeline.
They can also nudge the price upward before a single frame is manufactured. A new-build estate property near Aylesbury or Bicester usually has straightforward access and standard opening sizes. That tends to keep costs closer to the average.
Why Buying a Full Order Reduces the Price Per Window
Ordering one or two windows alone increases the price per window compared to a full house order. Fixed costs like the survey visit and site setup don’t shrink with a smaller job. The short answer is yes, a whole house order is nearly always better value per window. The longer answer is what actually determines your final price, which is everything covered in the factors section above.
What’s Included in an Aluminium Windows Quote?
A proper aluminium windows quote should include the survey, manufacturing, delivery, fitting labour, certification and VAT as standard. None of that should appear as an optional extra added later.
Standard Inclusions: Survey, Certification and Hardware
Expect a site survey to confirm exact measurements. Expect FENSA or CERTASS certification confirming the work meets Building Regulations. Expect standard hardware and locking, plus a written guarantee, usually ten years, covering both frame and installation.
For anyone who’s never been through the process, a site survey is simple. A technician measures each opening precisely and checks the wall structure around it. They confirm access for delivery and fitting.
It usually takes under an hour per property and costs nothing. It’s how a supplier turns a rough estimate into an accurate figure. FENSA registration checks that an installer’s work meets Part L thermal and Part Q security requirements under Building Regulations. You won’t need to arrange separate Building Control sign-off.
What Happens Between Survey and Installation
- Site survey confirms exact sizes, colour choice and hardware
- Order confirmed and manufacturing begins, typically four to six weeks
- Delivery scheduled and access requirements confirmed, including scaffolding if needed
- Installation takes place, usually one day for a handful of windows or one to two days for a full house
- Old frames removed, new frames sealed and finished, and FENSA certification issued
What’s Usually Excluded from a Quote
- Removal and disposal of old frames, if not stated explicitly
- Making good to internal plaster or external render around the opening
- Non-standard sills, trims or trickle vent upgrades
- Scaffolding for upper floor access on some quotes
Red Flags: Why Some Online Prices Look Too Good to Be True
Uncertified or unbranded low online prices typically exclude installation, VAT, sills, trickle vents and certification altogether. You’re left to source and pay for all of it separately. If a figure looks meaningfully below every other quote you’ve had, ask exactly what’s missing before you get excited about the saving.
How to Get an Accurate Quotation for Your Windows
The only reliable way to compare prices between suppliers is a like-for-like quote. It should cover the same style, glazing, colour and inclusions, from a survey visit rather than an online estimate alone. If you’re still asking how much aluminium windows cost for your particular property, a proper survey is the only way to move from a rough range to a firm figure.
Comparing Quotes Like for Like
| Common Assumption | What Actually Happens |
|---|---|
| A lower headline price means a better deal | It often means fewer inclusions, not better value |
| Per m² pricing lets you compare any two quotes | Small windows cost more per m² than large ones, so this measure alone is misleading |
| All quotes include certification | Some online or unbranded quotes exclude FENSA or CERTASS registration entirely.y |
| Installation takes one visit regardless of scale | A whole house project usually needs one to two full days on site |
Questions to Ask Before You Commit
Ask to see your installer’s FENSA registration number before signing. Ask whether the price is supply only or supply and fit. Ask what happens to old frames. Ask whether VAT is included. Ask how long the manufacturing lead time actually runs, rather than the optimistic figure sometimes quoted upfront.
I’ve noticed that homeowners who ask these four questions upfront rarely end up disappointed by their final invoice. It’s a small amount of friction that saves a genuinely awkward conversation later.
Getting Your Numbers Right Before You Book a Survey
If this sounds like your project, you can check current survey availability through our booking form. Our team will talk through your real aluminium windows cost for the property, rather than a generic online estimate. A homeowner comparing a period cottage in a conservation town centre against a new build estate property will see genuinely different figures, even for the same window style. That’s purely down to access, certification requirements and finish restrictions. It’s not a sales pitch. It’s just how UK pricing actually works.
For a wider view across materials and styles, our window replacement cost guide covers uPVC and composite pricing alongside aluminium. Looking ahead, more UK manufacturers are narrowing sightlines further and improving thermal break design. That should keep closing the performance gap with uPVC over the next few years, without closing the price gap by much.
Ready to see your own numbers instead of guessing? Get in touch with Flush Sash UPVC to request a free quote or book a home survey, and we’ll work out your exact aluminium windows cost from a real visit to your property.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do aluminium windows cost on average?
Most UK homeowners pay around £475 per window, or roughly £500 per square metre. Smaller or larger openings shift that figure in either direction.
What is the cost difference between uPVC and aluminium windows?
Aluminium typically costs 30 to 50 percent more than an equivalent uPVC window. That’s largely down to material cost and thermal break manufacturing.
How much does an aluminium window cost for a bathroom or small window?
Small windows often cost more per square metre than large ones. Fixed costs like the frame, hardware and survey visit don’t shrink with the size of the glass.
How long do aluminium windows last?
Aluminium frames typically last 30 to 45 years with minimal maintenance. That compares with 20 to 25 years for uPVC.
Are aluminium windows worth the higher price?
Often yes, on larger openings and contemporary extensions where slim sightlines matter. On small, low-visibility windows, the extra cost is harder to justify.