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Aluminium Windows: Costs Vs Savings
Introduction
Installing aluminium windows isn’t just about giving your home a fresh look. Your new windows are designed to improve thermal efficiency and save money on energy bills. Because they can last for decades, that’s potentially an enormous long-term saving. For that reason, we always encourage people to think of their windows as an investment as well as a stylistic makeover.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the costs vs savings benefits of aluminium windows. Here at AluFold, we’ve been working with aluminium for years and have picked up on a few things. Here’s our short explanation of the lifetime cost of aluminium windows.
The Initial Cost Of New Windows
Needless to say, the first thing to consider is the initial asking price. This can be affected by multiple factors, such as your chosen window style and the location of the property. For example, sash windows are more expensive than sliding ones, and a project on the far end of the Shetland Islands would cost more than one on the same road as the manufacturers, because of the increased travel difficulties.
As a general rule though, you can expect to pay in the region of £350 to £3000 for the window itself and £150 to £300 per day for the labour. Most windows only take a day to install, so you can expect a total cost of around £500 to £3600 for each one.
We understand that these figures might trigger a sharp intake of breath, but don’t exit this guide and abandon your project just yet. New aluminium windows might have a higher asking price than some of the alternatives, but once you take the potential savings into account, they’re well worth it.
Saving Money For Years
Aluminium windows are some of the most energy-efficient on the market. You may have heard horror stories about them contracting and expanding during hot weather, but thanks to modern technology those days are behind us. Today’s aluminium windows don’t have this problem and even if they feel cold to the touch, are exceptionally good at managing household heat.
In terms of how much you’ll save, it depends on what type of window you’re replacing. For example, swapping an old-fashioned, single glazed timber frame window for a double glazed aluminium one could cut your fuel bills in half. If you lived in a semi-detached house and upgraded all the windows in this way, that could shave £195 off your energy bills every year. When you consider that your aluminium windows can potentially last up to 45 years, that’s an incredible amount of money.
Alternatively, if you’re replacing a good quality, double glazed uPVC window with an aluminium one, the savings wouldn’t be as drastic. uPVC and aluminium windows typically achieve similar u-values. That being said, if you’re considering replacing a uPVC window, there’s normally a reason for it. Homeowners don’t tend to get rid of windows unless they’re old, damaged, or compromised in some way. If you have uPVC frames and they’re still in good condition, there’s less reason to get an upgrade than if they’re leaking rainwater and letting draughts in.
It’s also worth mentioning that aluminium is more durable than uPVC or timber, so they’re less likely to require repairs. You won’t just be saving money on energy bills, but maintenance ones as well. All these long-term returns gradually build up and your windows will potentially have paid for themselves within a few years.
Once you take all this into account, you can see why we think aluminium windows are so worthwhile. If you have any questions, we recommend contacting us. We have plenty of experts on hand who can answer your queries. Alternatively, why not request a quote? We can’t wait to hear from you.
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