Window replacement cost in Australia
Windows run $300 to $2,500 each installed depending on frame and glazing. But a real Newcastle quote for a double door came to $2,460 supply and delivery only — and that distinction catches people out constantly.
What windows cost in Australia
Installed, per window, in 2026:
- Aluminium, single glazed — roughly $300 to $900
- Aluminium, double glazed — roughly $600 to $1,800
- uPVC, double glazed — roughly $800 to $2,000
- Timber — roughly $800 to $2,500
A whole house of ten to fifteen windows typically lands between $6,000 and $28,000, depending almost entirely on frame material and glazing.
Labour runs roughly $150 to $350 per window on top of supply, more where access is difficult or the opening needs structural work. Replacing several at once is meaningfully cheaper per window than doing them in stages, because mobilisation is a fixed cost.
Supply-only is not installed
This is the most common way people misread a window quote, and it's worth showing with a real one.
A 2023 quote obtained by a Newcastle homeowner for an aluminium hinged double door — a two-panel unit, 2,480mm high by 1,720mm wide, with colonial bars and a multipoint lock — came to $2,460 including GST.
That figure was to supply and deliver only. No installation, no flashing, no fitting. The reveal was included as a component; the labour to put it in the wall was not.
Compare that against an installed quote and you're comparing two different things. Windows and doors are frequently quoted supply-only by manufacturers and showrooms, and installed by builders and glaziers. Our quote comparison tool is built for exactly this kind of like-for-like check. Always establish which you're looking at before comparing numbers.
Window openings need accurate measurement before ordering. A 5mm error means the new frame won't sit flush, and the cost of correcting it lands on your installation, not the supplier's. Sizes quoted by manufacturers typically exclude reveals — check what's included in the dimension you're given.
Is double glazing worth it in Australia?
Single-glazed windows are the weakest point in the Australian building envelope — responsible for a large share of winter heat loss and an even larger share of summer heat gain.
Double glazing typically saves $180 to $450 a year on energy for a typical home, giving a payback somewhere around five to seven years, then continuing for the life of the window.
Two things complicate the simple version. First, the National Construction Code now sets minimum energy efficiency requirements for window replacements, and in cooler climate zones double glazing has become the practical minimum for compliance. Second, the frame matters as much as the glass.
Standard aluminium conducts heat readily. A double-glazed unit in a plain aluminium frame loses much of its advantage through the frame itself, and can develop condensation on the internal surface in cold weather. Thermally broken aluminium frames — with an insulating strip through the profile — cost 15 to 30% more but perform far closer to uPVC or timber. If you're paying for double glazing in a cool climate, the thermal break is usually the difference between getting what you paid for and not.
The rules that constrain your choice
Safety glass is mandatory in doors, wet areas, low-level panels and overhead glazing under AS 1288. This isn't optional and isn't a place to economise — and it's one reason a door costs more than a window of the same size.
Heritage overlays in older suburbs frequently require like-for-like replacement. Ordering aluminium to replace timber originals without checking can require costly rectification. One phone call to the council heritage officer before you order.
Bushfire attack level requirements apply in designated areas and constrain glazing and frame specification regardless of preference.
Retrofit or replace the whole thing?
Two approaches, and people often don't realise there's a choice.
Retrofit double glazing fits new glazing into your existing frames. Cheaper, less disruptive, and it preserves the appearance — which matters in heritage areas. But you're keeping frames that may be the weak thermal point, and it isn't possible with every frame type or condition.
Full replacement gives you modern frames, better seals and the option of a thermal break, at higher cost and with more disruption to the surrounding wall and finishes.
If the existing frames are sound timber in good condition, retrofit is worth pricing. If they're old aluminium sliders that draught, replacing the whole unit is generally the better spend.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace a window in Australia?
Installed, roughly $300 to $900 for single-glazed aluminium, $600 to $1,800 for double-glazed aluminium, $800 to $2,000 for uPVC and $800 to $2,500 for timber. A whole house of ten to fifteen windows runs $6,000 to $28,000.
Does a window quote include installation?
Often not. Manufacturers and showrooms frequently quote supply-and-deliver only. One real 2023 quote for an aluminium hinged double door came to $2,460 including GST — supply and delivery, with no installation. Labour typically adds $150 to $350 per window on top.
Is double glazing worth it in Australia?
It typically saves $180 to $450 a year with a five to seven year payback, and the National Construction Code now sets minimum efficiency requirements for replacements. But in a plain aluminium frame much of the benefit is lost through the frame — thermally broken frames cost 15 to 30% more and are usually worth it in cooler climates.
Do I need council approval to replace windows?
Usually not for like-for-like replacement, but heritage overlays in older suburbs frequently require matching the original frames, and bushfire-prone areas constrain glazing specification. Check both before ordering rather than after.
Can I just replace the glass?
Sometimes. Retrofit double glazing fits new units into existing frames — cheaper, less disruptive, and better for heritage appearance. It works where frames are sound, and not where they're the source of the problem. Glass-only replacement runs $40 to $350+ per square metre depending on the glass type.
Sources & further reading
- Supply-and-deliver quote for an aluminium hinged double door (June 2023, $2,460 inc GST) contributed by James, a homeowner in Newcastle NSW. Supplier and identifying details withheld. The door was not ordered, so no installation figure is available.
- Australian per-window pricing cross-checked against 2026 published data from Australian glaziers and window suppliers, including The Quote Yard, TradieVerify, Home Upkeep and Airtasker cost guides.
- Safety glazing requirements are set by AS 1288. Energy efficiency requirements for window replacement are set by the National Construction Code and vary by climate zone.
- Heritage overlay and bushfire attack level requirements are set locally and may constrain frame and glazing choice.
These figures are planning estimates, not quotes — read how we build our ranges, then confirm real costs with local, itemised quotes.