Aluminum is a popular window material option for homeowners because of its affordability, durability, and sleek modern appearance.
Other choices like vinyl are well-liked for residential windows and are typically less expensive than aluminum windows. But aluminum windows are often worth the price because of an expected life span of up to 50 years, depending on the quality of the material, brand, installation, and climate.
However, aluminum windows rapidly conduct heat — which is not ideal for your home’s energy efficiency. So, picking aluminum windows that have a thermal break is important for proper insulation and to reap the benefits of energy savings.
Are aluminum windows the best windows for your home? Keep reading to learn more about this modern, practically maintenance-free frame material, the average cost of aluminum windows, and what factors affect its bottom-line price.
4.3
Offers wood and vinyl framing options
Excellent customizability
7 glass options
4.0
Low pricing
Lifetime labor and material warranty
Custom financing
How Much Do Aluminum Windows Cost?
Aluminum windows typically cost between $400 and $850 per window for materials and installation. But your specific costs will depend on several factors, such as window size, materials, shape, customization, and type.
| Window Quality | Price Range |
| National Average Cost Range | $400 – $850 |
| Low-end Cost Range | $200 – $400 |
| High-end Cost Range | $900 – $1,500 |
| Premium Cost Range | $1,500+ |
Are you on the fence about replacing your windows? Watch this exclusive with Danny Lipford about the many benefits of window replacement.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Aluminum Windows?
Most aluminum windows fall within the average price ranges listed above, but prices fluctuate based on a window’s specs, especially size, and type. You can estimate more specific pricing for your aluminum windows by assessing the following factors:
- Size
- Window type
- Brand
Read Also: What Constitutes a Bay Window
Cost of Aluminum Windows by Window Type
According to the Clean Energy Manufacturing Analysis Center, the average cost for window replacement is between $200 and $980. However, the type of window desired dramatically affects the window price.
Read also: Review of Aluminium vs Vinyl
Here’s a look at the average price range based on different types of aluminum windows.
| Type of Window | Average Price Range |
| Single-hung window | $200 – $400 |
| Double-hung window | $475 – $1,200 |
| Awning window | $450 – $1,000 |
| Casement window | $585 – $1,075 |
| Picture window | $450 – $1,200 |
| Sliding window | $750 – $900 |
| Garden window | $1,700 – $2,500 |
| Bay/bow window | $2,500 – $5,300 |
Here is a quick breakdown of the most popular window types, all of which can be built with aluminum frames.
- Single-hung windows have a fixed upper sash with an operable bottom that slides open.
- Double-hung windows have two operable sashes that tilt or slide open, yielding better ventilation through the window frame’s top and bottom.
- Awning windows form a small glass “awning” shape with hinges at the top that open outward.
- Casement windows usually open with a hand crank and open outwards like a door on hinges.
- Picture windows, or fixed windows, create a beautiful “frame” for outdoor scenery and supply improved indoor lighting.
- Sliding windows glide open horizontally, much like a sliding patio door.
- Garden windows protrude outward, creating a box perfect for building a mini greenhouse with small indoor herbs and plants.
- Bay and bow windows bow out past the side of the home to form a small interior nook. They’re constructed with three to five individual window panels and require significant structural support. Bay and bow windows are more expensive than other window types because of the labor and materials needed to manufacture and install them. Read our article to discover the price of bow windows.
Cost of Aluminum Windows by Size
Window size dramatically affects the cost of any window. The bigger the window, the more you typically pay because the window uses more material and requires more labor to install. But standard-size aluminum windows may be cheaper than smaller ones that are custom-built or made in less popular sizes, so size isn’t always king when it comes to pricing.
My research found the following average costs for various aluminum window sizes, including customized options. The following prices don’t factor in additional costs like ENERGY STAR-recommended upgrades, such as double-pane glass or window glazing.
| Aluminum Window Size | Average Cost |
| Small windows | $130 – $310 |
| Medium windows | $310 – $610 |
| Large windows | $610 – $850 |
| Oversized and specialty windows | $850+ |
*These estimates include the average price for the window and installation.
Read also: Typical Sizes for Windows
Cost of Aluminum Windows by Brand
Each window brand promotes unique products with different quality materials, energy-efficient features, and more. All of the elements affect overall replacement cost. While many popular window providers sell aluminum windows, the windows can have a dramatic price range. Some brands are almost always more expensive than their competitors.
Here are some aluminum window options and prices from reputable window providers.
| Window Brand | Price Range |
| Jeld-Wen | $356 – $917 |
| Andersen Windows | $329 – $1,100 |
| Marvin Signature Coastline (aluminum storm windows) | $800 – $2,500 |
| Castle Windows | $300 – $610 |
| Champion Windows | $450 – $1,200 |
*Prices based on listed prices from my independent research and from Lowes.com and Homedepot.com as of July 2023.
Multiple factors impact a window provider’s price points:
- Window brand: Some brands, like Champion Windows, specialize in premium windows. You can expect higher prices (and greater benefits like better quality aluminum, warranties, and additional services).
- Window series: Each provider offers a different window series to meet homeowners’ needs and aesthetic desires. Specific window series, such as storm windows or energy-efficient window lines, are usually more expensive than a standard aluminum window. For example, the Marvin Signature Coastline series is a line of aluminum storm windows. This series raises the average cost because the windows meet the requirements for high-velocity hurricane zones (HVHZ), requiring more substantial materials to withstand high winds and flying debris.
Read also: Vinyl vs. Aluminum Overview
Additional Costs of Aluminum Windows
On top of the baseline cost of new windows, you’ll want to budget for other things that can drive the price up during a window buying process: installation, customization, and additional energy-efficient features can add hundreds of dollars to the final price.
Plan for the following when creating your home improvement budget:
- Window installation costs: Unless you plan to install aluminum windows yourself, you’ll need to account for labor fees for installation. The price ranges between $40 and $60 per hour per crew member for aluminum window installations. The complexity of your project adds more labor costs and could add hundreds of dollars to your final price.
- Customization: If you customize your new windows, such as buying specialized shapes or picking special finishes, frame colors, grids, and custom hardware, your costs will go up.
- Energy-efficient features: Homeowners who want more energy-efficient windows, such as double-pane or triple-pane windows or windows with an argon gas fill, add to their final cost. However, selecting more energy-efficient windows can save you money in the long run by reducing your energy bills. This extra cost is often worth the initial window investment.
- The number of windows: The more you need, the greater your final cost. If you need multiple windows replaced, ask your company representative about bundle deals or discounts to see if you can receive a lower price for multiple window replacements.
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How Does the Cost of Aluminum Windows Compare to Other Window Types?
Compared to other window materials, aluminum is one of the most affordable materials for residential windows, with a typical price range of $400 to $850. See how it stacks up against other common window materials for standard residential windows.
| Window Type | Cost |
| Vinyl windows | $200 – $600 |
| Aluminum windows | $400 – $850 |
| Composite windows | $400 – $1,100 |
| Fiberglass windows | $750 – $1,100 |
| Wood windows | $800 – $1,300 |
Is DIY Worth the Cost Savings of Installing Aluminum Windows?
Installing your new home windows will save you on labor fees, but it can also cost you more money over time. Many homeowners lack the proper tools and knowledge to create a tight window seal and install windows according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Without a tight seal, air will escape your home continually, driving up far more energy costs when cool air escapes your home during the summer and when warm air goes out in the winter.
A weak seal can also result in moisture problems, leading to mold and other issues that affect your family’s health. Lastly, if you install the window poorly, cracks, leaks, and gaps can hurt your home’s curb appeal.
A professional contractor guarantees to install your window correctly, leading to a better aesthetic and energy efficiency, and saves you the risk of injury — especially if you need a ladder to replace the window.
Read also: Guide for replacing aluminum with vinyl windows
Are Aluminum Windows Worth It for Your Home?
Aluminum windows are a durable window frame material that can increase your home’s curb appeal, weather protection, and energy efficiency, especially when combined with a low-E coating or argon gas fill. While aluminum windows are more expensive than vinyl windows, their need for next to no maintenance and long lifespan often makes it a worthwhile investment for homeowners. You can further enhance your home’s curb appeal by opting for window awnings for your aluminum windows. If you’re wondering which awnings best suit your home, you might want to explore our article that outlines the best window awning options.
Now that you know the cost factors of aluminum windows, gather free quotes from multiple window providers. Fill out the quick form below to find local top-rated window companies.
4.3
Offers wood and vinyl framing options
Excellent customizability
7 glass options
4.0
Low pricing
Lifetime labor and material warranty
Custom financing
FAQs: Cost of Aluminum Windows
Is It Worth It to Buy an Aluminum Window?
Aluminum windows are stronger than less expensive alternatives like vinyl windows. Not only can aluminum windows withstand a greater impact from high winds or storms, but they also hold up better in extreme heat or cold as long as they have a thermal seal. The long lifespan and little-needed maintenance make aluminum windows a sound investment for most homeowners.
What Is the Advantage of Aluminum Windows?
Aluminum windows enjoy a significantly longer expected lifespan than less durable windows like vinyl. Most aluminum windows will last at least 20 years, with some companies boasting that they last up to 50 years with proper care.
What Is the Disadvantage of Aluminum Windows?
One disadvantage of aluminum windows is that they’re susceptible to corrosion. That’s why most aluminum windows are powder-coated — or painted — to decrease the risk of corrosion. Another disadvantage is that aluminum windows conduct heat quickly, increasing heat transfer into the home. A thermal seal usually remedies this issue.
Do Aluminum Windows Cost More Than Vinyl Windows?
Aluminum windows usually cost more than vinyl windows. However, both materials are more affordable than other types of windows. Fiberglass and wood windows will almost certainly cost more than low-maintenance aluminum window frames.
