What aluminium windows cost in 2026
Aluminium is the premium mass-market frame material, sitting between uPVC and timber on price. An aluminium casement window costs £550 to £1,300 fully fitted in 2026, which is roughly 30 to 40% more than the equivalent uPVC window. Switch the frame material to aluminium in the calculator above and you will see that uplift applied to whatever style and count you have set. The extra is not for nothing: aluminium is far stronger than uPVC, so the frames can be much slimmer while still holding a large pane of glass.
That strength is the whole appeal. Because the frame does so much less of the work, you get more glass and a sharper, more modern look, which is why aluminium dominates contemporary extensions and large openings. Aluminium also lasts 30 to 40 years, well beyond uPVC's 20 to 25, and it never rusts, warps or needs painting. The trade-off is purely the upfront cost. If you want to see the two side by side before you decide, our full comparison of uPVC versus aluminium windows weighs price against lifespan and looks.
| Material | Per window (casement) | Lifespan | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| uPVC | £400–£1,000 | 20–25 yrs | None |
| Aluminium | £550–£1,300 | 30–40 yrs | None |
| Timber | £900–£2,000 | 30–60 yrs | Repaint every 8–10 yrs |
Source: DATA.md material adjustment and lifespan tables. Aluminium carries a ~30 to 40% premium over uPVC.
When aluminium is worth the premium
Aluminium earns its keep in three situations. The first is large glazed openings, where slim frames let in noticeably more light than chunky uPVC could. The second is a deliberate modern aesthetic, where the crisp, narrow sightlines are the look you are paying for. The third is longevity: if you plan to stay in the home for decades, the 30 to 40 year life means you are unlikely ever to replace these windows again, which spreads the higher cost over far more years.
Where it does not make sense is a straightforward, budget-led replacement on a standard home. There, uPVC does the same thermal job for less money, and you can price that in seconds with the uPVC window calculator. If you want a tilt-and-turn flat window or a sliding sash instead, the sash window calculator and the timber window calculator cover those routes.
The verdict on aluminium
Aluminium is a genuinely good window, and the 30 to 40% premium over uPVC is justified when slim frames, a big glass area or a long life matter to you. It is not the cheapest way to meet building regs, but it is rarely a mistake. For most modern, design-led projects it is the right call.
Worth it Aluminium windows are Worth it when you want slim frames and a 30 to 40 year life, and you can stomach the premium.
Aluminium is what I fit on extensions and anywhere the client wants that clean, frameless look. The slim sightlines are real, not marketing. But do not pay aluminium money for ordinary bedroom windows at the back, where uPVC looks identical from inside. Spend it where the glass is on show.
Tom Bradley, FENSA-registered installer
Frequently asked questions
An aluminium casement window costs £550 to £1,300 fully fitted in 2026. That is roughly 30 to 40% more than the equivalent uPVC window, the premium you pay for slimmer frames and a longer life.
Aluminium typically costs around 30 to 40% more than uPVC for the same casement window. The extra buys slimmer sightlines, a larger glass area and a frame that lasts 30 to 40 years rather than 20 to 25.
Aluminium frames last around 30 to 40 years, noticeably longer than uPVC at 20 to 25 years. They do not warp, rust or need painting, so maintenance is effectively nil beyond cleaning.
For the right home, yes. If you want slim frames, large panes or a sharp modern look, and you plan to stay long enough to benefit from the 30 to 40 year life, the 30 to 40% premium is worth it. For a budget replacement on a standard home, uPVC still wins on price.