Double Glazed Windows Cost in Australia: Price per Window
What double glazed uPVC and aluminium windows cost for a typical six-window job, and the size, install and removal factors that move a quote.
Double glazed windows typically cost $5,000 for a six-window home, with most quotes landing between $3,900 – $6,500. Frame choice matters most: a uPVC (vinyl) frame averages $5,550 for that job, and thermally broken aluminium averages $5,000. All figures include 10% GST.
To get a per-window price, divide the job total by the number of windows. Do that only as a rough guide, because a large sliding door unit and a small bathroom window don't cost the same. Our full [window replacement cost guide](Window replacement) covers the basics. This article looks at what actually shifts the price between two quotes.
uPVC vs aluminium: the price gap
Here is how the frame options compare for the same job:
| Material | Typical | Usual range | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium (thermally broken) | $5,000 | $3,900 – $6,500 | 30-45 years |
| Vinyl / uPVC | $5,550 | $4,350 – $7,200 | 25-35 years |
| Composite | $6,100 | $4,750 – $7,950 | 30-50 years |
| Timber | $8,350 | $6,500 – $10,800 | 30-60 years |
Some practical points on the two most common choices:
- uPVC (vinyl) is usually the cheaper route to double glazing. It insulates well because the frame itself conducts little heat, and it needs little upkeep.
- Thermally broken aluminium costs more but suits larger openings and slimmer sightlines. The "thermal break" is a barrier inside the frame that stops it acting as a heat bridge. Standard aluminium without one performs worse, so check which you are being quoted.
- Timber and composite sit at the other end. They suit heritage streetscapes or a particular look, and they cost more.
If a quote just says "double glazed aluminium", ask whether the frame is thermally broken. It changes both the price and the result.
What pushes a quote up
We calculate window costs from labour hours at local rates, plus materials, then check the result against market prices and real quotes. These are the factors that move the total most.
Size and shape
Glass is priced largely by area, and bigger panes need heavier glass and more hands to install. Large picture windows, sliding doors and bay windows push the average well above the cost of standard sashes. Odd shapes such as arches or angled units are usually made to order.
Glass specification
"Double glazed" covers a range. Options that add cost include:
- low-e coatings, which reduce heat transfer
- argon gas fill between the panes
- laminated or toughened safety glass, which is needed in some locations such as near floor level or doors
- acoustic glass of mixed thickness, if road or aircraft noise is the problem
Ask for the specification in writing so you can compare quotes properly. A cheap quote often has a basic unit.
Installation conditions
- Upper storeys. Second-floor windows need extra labour, and sometimes scaffolding or a lift.
- Brick, rendered or weatherboard walls. Each needs different flashing and finishing, and some jobs need the opening altered.
- Same-size swap vs resizing. Fitting a new frame into an existing opening is the cheapest route. Changing the opening size brings in carpentry or masonry work.
- Access. Steep blocks, tight side passages and locked-in courtyards slow the install.
Removal and making good
Taking out old frames and disposing of them is often itemised, and some quotes leave it out. Also ask who makes good the internal and external finishes. Plaster repairs, architraves and touch-up paint can turn into a separate cost. If you plan to repaint afterwards, see our [interior painting cost guide](Interior painting). If the surrounding wall needs repair on the outside, the exterior rendering cost guide helps you budget.
Where double glazing pays off
Double glazing reduces heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, and it cuts noise. That also helps your heating and cooling system work less. If you are sizing a new system alongside the windows, our [air conditioning cost guide](Split system air conditioning) is worth reading, because better glazing can mean you need less capacity.
We don't promise a payback period. It depends on your climate zone, orientation, energy prices and how leaky the existing windows are. Treat comfort and noise as the main benefits and any energy saving as a bonus.
Doing the job in stages
You don't have to replace every window at once. Starting with the rooms you use most, such as bedrooms and living areas, spreads the cost. The trade-off is that per-window prices can rise on small jobs, because the fixed costs of measuring, delivery and travel are spread over fewer units. If you can, ask for a price for the whole house and for a staged version so you can compare.
Getting quotes that compare
- Get at least three written quotes.
- Ask each to list frame type, glass specification, number and size of windows, removal and making good.
- Check that the quote states GST and who handles the installation.
- Ask about warranties on both the frames and the installation.
- Run the figures through our "is my quote fair" quote checker to see how they sit against our live cost model.
If a quote is far below the rest, check what has been left out. Missing removal, basic glass and no making good are the usual reasons.
Our bottom line
For a typical six-window job, expect a total near $5,000, with $4,450 at the basic end and $8,700 at the premium end. Choose your frame first, confirm the glass specification, and then compare like with like. That is where most of the quote difference comes from.