Aluminium Windows and Doors Prices: What Standard Sizes Really Cost
Aluminium pricing is quoted per unit, not per square metre, which is why two windows of similar size can differ by hundreds of rand once you change the opening type, the finish or the glazing.
Here are real prices for standard sizes, what moves them, and how to avoid paying for specification you do not need.
What standard aluminium windows cost
These are current prices for our standard stock sizes:
| Size | Configuration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 600 x 600mm | Clear glazing, bronze finish | R424.99 |
| 600 x 600mm | Obscure glass, bronze finish | R424.99 |
| 600 x 900mm | Obscure glass | R564.99 |
| 600 x 900mm | Clear glazing | R564.99 |
| 900 x 600mm | One opening section | R629.99 |
| 600 x 900mm | White, cassette frame | R639.99 |
| 600 x 1200mm | Bronze | R774.99 |
| 1200 x 900mm | Top hung, one vent | R779.99 |
| 900 x 900mm | Bronze, clear glazing | R829.99 |
The pattern is straightforward: area drives the base cost, and opening mechanisms and frame types add to it. A 600 x 600 fixed window is the cheapest unit in the range, and anything with a moving section moves up from there.
The five things that change the price
- Size and area. Price tracks the amount of material, so doubling a window’s area roughly doubles base cost – not exactly, because frames and mechanisms are partly fixed cost, but close.
- Opening type. Fixed panes are cheapest. Sliding, top hung and casement configurations add hardware, which adds cost and adds maintenance points.
- Finish. Natural, bronze and white finishes are priced differently, and powder coating in a specific colour carries a premium.
- Glazing. Standard clear and obscure glass are the cheap options. Laminated, toughened or low-emissivity glass adds cost, and it is worth it for safety glass in doors and large panes where the alternative is breakage risk.
- Standard versus custom. This is the biggest single lever. Standard sizes come off the shelf at stock prices. A custom size means fabrication time, waste, and a per-unit price that reflects both.
Standard sizes versus custom fabrication
The cost gap between a standard window and a custom one is usually far larger than the gap between two standard sizes. That has practical consequences for how you plan openings:
- If you are building or renovating from plans, design brick openings around available standard sizes rather than designing the opening first and ordering a window to fit it.
- If you are replacing, measure the existing opening carefully before assuming you need custom. Many older openings are close enough to a standard size to use one.
- If the opening genuinely is unusual, a custom unit is the right call, but get the price before committing to the layout.
Standard stock is also faster. A custom unit has a lead time; a standard unit you can collect today.
Aluminium versus the alternatives
Aluminium is not always the cheapest upfront option, but it is rarely the most expensive over its life:
| Material | Upfront cost | Maintenance reality |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | Moderate to higher | Low – does not rust, needs occasional cleaning |
| Steel | Moderate | Needs painting and rust treatment, especially near the coast |
| Timber | Varies widely by species | Regular sealing or varnishing to prevent rot and warping |
On a Gauteng property, the argument for aluminium is mostly about not having to repaint frames every few years. The thermal argument for aluminium is often overstated in mild climates – aluminium conducts heat, which matters more in extreme conditions than it does on the Highveld.
What people forget in the budget
The unit price is not the whole cost of installing a window. Budget for:
- Delivery, which is charged per trip and is not trivial on a full load
- Removal of the old unit, which on a replacement is real labour
- Making good the reveal – plaster, paint and finishing around the new frame
- Glass upgrades for safety-critical locations such as doors and low-level panes
- Security hardware, if the window is on an accessible elevation
Priced as a project rather than as a unit, aluminium replacement is usually less painful than people expect – the surprise is almost always in the making-good, not the frames.
Getting a real price
If you want current figures rather than an estimate, our live pricing is always on the category page: browse our aluminium window and door range with current prices. Standard sizes are in stock, and if you tell us the opening dimensions we can tell you whether a standard unit fits or whether you need custom fabrication.
For a full house refit, bring the measurements or the plans. It is much easier to price the whole job against real openings than to guess at standard sizes and be wrong.
Measure the opening before you price anything
The single most common cause of a wrong window quote is a wrong measurement, and the error is usually made at the brick opening rather than the frame.
What to record for each opening:
- Width and height of the opening, measured in at least three places on each dimension. Brickwork is frequently not square, and the smallest figure is the one that constrains you.
- Wall thickness and reveal depth, which determines how the frame sits and whether a cassette or standard frame suits the wall.
- Which way the window opens, and whether anything outside the opening blocks it – a wall, a gutter, a neighbouring structure.
- Any obstruction inside, such as a conduit, a beam or existing electrical points that cannot move.
Measuring once and ordering is how people end up with custom units at custom prices. Measuring properly, and then choosing the closest standard size, is how the same job gets done for a good deal less.
Should you fit them yourself?
Aluminium windows are more DIY-friendly than most building work, because the frames arrive made to size. The parts that go wrong are predictable:
- Removing the old unit without damaging the reveal. On older masonry this is where the plaster repairs come from.
- Getting the frame square and level. A window that is visibly out will not seal, no matter how good the unit is.
- Sealing and flashing correctly. This is the difference between a dry house and a damp one, and it is the step most often done badly.
- Making good afterwards. Plaster, paint and finishing around the new frame is real work, and it is the part clients consistently forget to budget for.
If the opening is at ground level, if the wall is old and fragile, or if the window is above a floor you cannot access easily, use a fitter. Replacement of a full house is usually faster and cleaner with someone who does it daily.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an aluminium window cost in South Africa?
A standard 600 x 600mm window with clear or obscure glazing is currently R424.99, rising with size and complexity. A 900 x 900mm unit is around R829.99. Price is driven by area, opening type, finish and glazing rather than by size alone.
Is it cheaper to buy standard sizes or have windows custom made?
Standard sizes are significantly cheaper and available immediately. Custom sizes add fabrication cost and lead time. Where possible, design or adjust openings around standard stock sizes rather than ordering custom units.
Do I need safety glass in aluminium doors?
Any glazing in a door or in a low-level panel that could be walked or fallen into should use safety glass – laminated or toughened. It adds cost over standard clear glass and is not a specification worth economising on.
What is not included in the window price?
Delivery, removal of old units, plastering and painting around the new frame, and any glass or security upgrades. These are typically 20-40% on top of the frame price on a replacement job, so budget for them separately.