- The right windows will help bring in more light into your home
- Aluminium windows offer the best of both worlds
- Aluminium windows in the UK cost roughly £475
- An aluminium casement window with two panes will typically cost about £540–£960
The right windows will help bring in more light into your home, cut down emissions and improve your quality of life at home.
Aluminium windows offer the best of both worlds, offering sleek, modern, ultra-durable and 100% recyclable materials,helping to tick the eco-friendly box. They also tend to last the longest.
In this guide, we outline everything you need to know about installing aluminium windows, from costs to savings, and whether they’re worth the investment. Alternatively, complete this form to get free personalised quotes for aluminium windows. 
How much do aluminium windows cost?
Double glazing costs vary, but on average, you can expect aluminium windows in the UK to cost roughly £475. However, you should bear in mind that this will vary, depending on the size and type of window you go for.
For example, an aluminium casement window with two panes (measuring 1000mm x 1000mm in total) will typically cost about £540–£960. Meanwhile, sash windows are more expensive, with prices going up to around £1,200–£1,500.
Check out the table below for the average cost of multiple aluminium casement windows. Please use these price estimates as an indication only.
Window size (mm) | Price range |
|---|---|
| 600 x 900 | £540 – £680 |
| 900 x 1200 | £650 – £800 |
| 900 x 1200 | £770 – £960 |
You can also upgrade from standard white aluminium to something a bit more interesting, which will usually cost around 10-15% extra. The aluminium is powder coated with one of the colours from the RAL colour chart, offering more than 200 different options.
The most popular colour for aluminium windows is RAL 7016, otherwise known as Anthracite Grey, which you will have seen everywhere. If you can’t choose a colour for your windows, just plump for 7016; it’s classy and it goes with pretty much everything.
If you’d like a glance at the RAL chart, head here. You’ll notice an array of unique shades, such as the lovely Mellon Yellow, the gorgeous Olive Drab, the inspiring Concrete Grey, the tasteful Luminous Bright Red, and the unmistakable Pigeon Blue, perfect for your pigeon-coloured house.
Why should I install aluminium windows?
You might be asking,‘what’s the fuss about?’ Read these key benefits of aluminium windows and you’ll realise the fuss is very necessary.
- It’s cheaper than timber – While aluminium is generally more expensive than PVC, it’s also much more affordable than timber. This is a no-brainer, considering aluminium is tougher and more durable than wooden double glazed windows.
- The frames are thinner – Aluminium has a phenomenal amount of inner strength. This means it can be slender and still offer the same support as a bulky chunk of timber or PVC, allowing more space for glass.
- It lasts a long time – During spells of icy cold and intense heat, many window frames contract and expand, slowly losing their shape and eventually needing to be replaced. In particular, PVC loves warping in the sunlight, and wood can’t wait to start rotting.
- You’ll be better protected – This inner strength comes with one more advantage. Its natural robustness means it can withstand attacks far better than wood or plastic, so you can rest easy in your metal fortress.
- It will jazz up your home – We’ve already mentioned the 200+ RAL colours you can have your frames in, with some companies even offering an interior-exterior dual-colour option.
- It’s eco-friendly – Aluminium is 100% recyclable, so when you’re finally ready to get rid of your metal friends, they will be ready to go all over again.
Are there any disadvantages of aluminium windows?
- A poor insulator? Polyamide thermal breaks (that go between the internal and external layers of aluminium) have helped to deal with that. “Thermally broken” aluminium windows can now compete with high-end PVC and timber equivalents.
- Prone to condensation? Again, thermal break technology has put this one to bed.
- Weak soundproofing? If keeping the world’s noise out (and your noise in) is a priority, PVC frames tend to be a bit more effective. Get good quality double glazing and your house will feel like a library.
- Susceptible to salt corrosion? If your windows are near sea air and saltwater, the frames will start to corrode, but there are easy ways to prevent this.
- It’s cheaper than timber
- The frames are thinner
- It lasts a long time
- You’ll be better protected
- It will jazz up your home
- It’s eco-friendly
- A poor insulator?
- Prone to condensation?
- Weak soundproofing?
- Susceptible to salt corrosion?
What aluminium windows should I get?
The style of aluminium windows that are best for will depend on your budget, personal taste – including the aesthetics to your home – and how much light you want.
Here’s the different types of aluminium windows you can get:
- Casement windows – A casement window is attached to the frame by hinges on one side and it opens outwards, giving you total control over how much rain you’d like to enter your home. You can also have an aluminium flush casement window, made from hardy aluminium on the exterior, with the interior timber.
- Sash windows – Sash windows are straight out of the Georgian-style manual. An open sash window won’t protrude outside your house, which is great if you want your external walls to stay streamlined.
- Sliding windows – These are basically sliding sash windows, although they’re even easier to use because you’re not working against gravity.
- Fixed panoramic windows – If you’re living near stunning scenery, you want as much glass as possible to increase your view access. The windows run on sliders, but due to its size, it requires some strength to open and close.
- Tilt and turn windows – These windows offer a tilt angle, and its turn function is helpful if they need to let in a blast of air.
- Bi-fold windows – By folding to one side, bi-fold windows work great as a divider between your house and garden. If you’re having a summer party, just pop your window to one side and it will be out of the way.
What are the alternatives to aluminium windows?
There are three alternatives to aluminium windows: timber, PVC and huge gaping holes in your walls.
Timber is , usually the most expensive option and it requires a lot of maintenance.
PVC is more practical and is cheaper, but its appearance is rather hard to love.
Aluminium lies somewhere between the two in terms of price, and we believe its value for money is second to none. The frames will give you a whole new perspective on the outside world.
It is almost always more expensive than uPVC windows, too, because of the cost of the materials and the higher manufacturing costs. However, aluminium can be more cost effective in the long run because they’ll generally last longer than uPVC, and are more durable.
Aluminium window warranties
When you are shopping around for your new aluminium windows, it’s important to ask each supplier what type of warranty they offer and if it’s included in the quote.
There are different types of warranty to be aware of and their lengths will vary across suppliers, so check with each exactly what you are getting.
Most leading double glazing companies offer the following guarantees:
- Whole window guarantee – This a warranty for the window. The standard length of a guarantee for aluminium windows is anywhere between 10-25 years.
- Sealed unit guarantee – This guarantee protects the sealed gap in the window and means if you spot issues, like condensation, the company should repair or replace the panes.
- Discolouration guarantee – Offered against the colour of the frames and sometimes the aluminium frames themselves. Length varies 10-25 years.
Summary
- When you are shopping around for your new aluminium windows, it’s important to ask each supplier what type of warranty they offer and if it’s included in the quote.
- There are different types of warranty to be aware of and their lengths will vary across suppliers.
- There are three alternatives to aluminium windows: timber, PVC and huge gaping holes in your walls.
- PVC is more practical and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, but its appearance is rather hard to love.
- The style of aluminium windows that are best for will depend on your budget, personal taste – including the aesthetics to your home – and how much light you want.
- The most popular colour for aluminium windows is RAL 7016, otherwise known as Anthracite Grey.
