Windows
Aluminium windows
Aluminium windows cost roughly £600 to £1,250 per window fitted, about half as much again as uPVC. You pay for slim sightlines, a lot more glass in the same opening, and a frame that stays rigid at large sizes. Modern frames are thermally broken, so the old reputation for cold frames no longer applies.
Aluminium went out of fashion in the 1980s because early frames conducted heat straight out of the house. Thermal breaks fixed that, and it has come back as the premium choice for anyone who wants the frame to disappear.
Indicative guide, not a quote
per window, supplied and fitted
£600 – £1,250
These figures come from published industry price guides, not official statistics, and several of those sources are installers or comparison sites with a commercial interest. They are a starting point for a conversation, not a quote. Your installer sets the actual price after measuring.
Checkatrade double glazing cost guide · checked 2026-10-09
Why the sightlines matter more than they sound
Aluminium is strong enough to hold a large pane with a frame a fraction of the thickness uPVC needs. On a typical opening that difference is worth a noticeable amount of extra glass, which means more daylight and a cleaner look from outside.
On a big opening the gap widens. Where a uPVC frame starts to need chunky reinforcement and a central mullion, aluminium often does not, so you keep an uninterrupted pane.
Thermal breaks, and why you should ask about them
Bare aluminium conducts heat extremely well, which is exactly what you do not want in a window frame. A thermally broken frame puts an insulating barrier between the inside and outside sections so the cold cannot bridge across.
Every reputable aluminium window sold for a UK home is thermally broken and will meet the 1.4 W/m²K requirement. If a quote is unusually cheap, confirm that is what you are getting.
Finish and maintenance
Aluminium is normally powder-coated to a RAL colour, and anthracite grey has been the default choice for several years. The coating is durable and needs nothing beyond washing. It does not rot, warp or need repainting.
The practical downside is that a damaged powder coat is awkward to repair invisibly, so it is worth protecting the frames during any other building work.
Aluminium windows: common questions
- Are aluminium windows cold?
- Not any more. Early aluminium frames had no thermal break and suffered badly from condensation, which is where the reputation came from. Current thermally broken frames meet the same building regulations standard as uPVC.
- Is aluminium worth the extra over uPVC?
- It depends on what you want from it. For thermal performance alone, the uplift is modest. For slim frames, large openings and appearance, it is a genuine difference you will see every day.
- Do aluminium windows suit a period property?
- In a conservation area, slim aluminium is often accepted where uPVC is refused, because the sightlines are closer to original steel or timber. Check with the local planning authority before ordering rather than after.
Other windows
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uPVC windows
£400 – £850 fitted
uPVC windows cost £400 to £850 fitted. What separates a good one from a cheap one, what the regulations require, and when uPVC is the wrong choice.
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Timber windows
£800 – £1,600 fitted
Timber windows cost £800 to £1,600 fitted. Why modern engineered timber is not the wood you remember, the real maintenance, and when it is compulsory.
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Casement windows
£400 – £850 fitted
Casement windows are the most common UK style and the cheapest to replace. Side-hung or top-hung, fire escape rules, and flush versus stormproof.
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Sash windows
£800 – £1,800 fitted
Sash windows cost £800 to £1,800 fitted. Cords and weights versus spiral balances, when repair beats replacement, and fitting double glazing.
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Tilt and turn windows
£400 – £850 fitted
Tilt and turn windows open two ways: a secure vent, or fully inwards for cleaning and escape. Why flats and upper floors usually choose them.
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Bay and bow windows
£1,500 – £3,000 fitted
Bay and bow windows cost £1,500 to £3,000 fitted because many carry structural load. The difference between them and what a survey must check.
TrustedGlazing does not make, supply or fit windows and doors, and the prices above are published industry guides rather than our own. We match your enquiry to one vetted local installer, who quotes and contracts with you directly.