How much do double glazed windows cost in Australia? (2026 price guide)

What drives the price — before you compare anything

Glass specification. The single biggest variable. Standard 4-12-4 IGU (two 4mm panes, 12mm sealed cavity) is the entry point for double glazed windows. Add a Low-E coating and the price increases. Add argon gas fill and it rises further. Specify an acoustic laminated inner pane and you’re at the high end of the range. Each step adds measurable performance — the price increment is not arbitrary. A cheap double glazed window and a premium acoustic Low-E unit serve quite different purposes.

Frame material and specification. Standard aluminium is the most common and cost-effective frame in Australia. Thermally broken aluminium adds 15–25% to frame cost. uPVC costs less per frame but has limited colour flexibility. For most Australian residential projects, standard aluminium is the right choice.

Custom sizing vs standard sizing. A factory-direct custom window costs a little more per unit than a standard-size product, but it fits the opening correctly, seals fully, and has AS2047 compliance documentation that covers the actual product installed. A standard-size window shimmed into a non-standard opening has inherent performance compromises and potential warranty gaps.

Installation included or not. This is the most common source of price confusion in double glazed window quotes. Supply-only and supply-and-install prices for the same window can differ by $200–$500 per unit. Always confirm whether removal of old windows, installation, disposal, silicone application and flashings are included in the price you’re comparing.

Location and labour market. The product cost is broadly similar across Australian capital cities. Labour rates vary — Sydney and Melbourne are 10–20% above national average; regional areas are typically 10–15% below metro rates. A price from a regional NSW supplier may be genuinely cheaper on labour even for the same product.

National cost ranges by window type

Approximate, supplied and installed, Sydney rates, from our 2025 jobs:

Window type	Standard IGU (4-12-4)	Low-E + argon IGU	Acoustic IGU
Aluminium sliding (900×900)	$700–$1,100	$900–$1,400	$1,100–$1,700
Aluminium awning (600×600)	$550–$850	$750–$1,150	$950–$1,400
Aluminium double-hung (900×1200)	$800–$1,300	$1,050–$1,700	$1,300–$2,000
Aluminium bi-fold (per panel)	$900–$1,400	$1,200–$1,800	$1,500–$2,200
Architectural/large-format	$1,800+	$2,500+	$3,000+

For whole-house replacement projects (typically 10–20 windows), volume pricing generally applies. Ask specifically about this when getting a full-house quote — the per-window price often reduces meaningfully on larger orders.

How Sydney compares to other states

• Sydney: Labour 10–20% above national average. Product cost similar to other metro areas.
• Melbourne: Comparable to Sydney for both product and labour. Slightly higher demand for thermally broken frames due to colder winters.
• Brisbane and Perth: Slightly below Sydney on labour. Similar product pricing.
• Adelaide: Comparable to Brisbane.
• Regional NSW and Victoria: Labour typically 10–15% below metro. Product cost is similar as it’s manufactured centrally and freighted to site.
• Tasmania: Often higher than mainland metro due to freight costs and lower trade availability.

What a complete quote must include

A legitimate supply-and-install quote should specify every one of the following. If anything is missing or vague, ask explicitly what the additional cost is before comparing it to other quotes:

• Window type, exact size and glass specification for each opening
• Frame colour and finish (powder coat colour name and brand, or anodised)
• Removal and disposal of existing windows and frames
• All installation labour, fixings, and flashing tape
• External silicone application to all four sides of the frame
• Full hardware set: locks, handles, stays, restrictors where required by Safe4Kids
• AS2047 compliance confirmation for the specific product being installed
• WERS certificate for the glass specification
• Product warranty period and coverage
• Installation warranty period and coverage

Red flags in a cheap quote

• No AS2047 certificate available. Ask for the certificate number and which products it covers specifically. If the supplier cannot produce current documentation, the product may not meet Australian structural standards. This is a significant risk.
• Supply-only pricing presented as an installed price. Happens commonly in online quote tools and comparison platforms. Read the fine print. Installation, removal and silicone can add $200–$500 per window on top of the supply price.
• No IGU seal warranty. Quality units carry a 10–20 year warranty on the hermetic seal. No warranty strongly indicates imported units with unknown manufacturing quality and unknown seal lifespan. A failed seal within a few years means the entire unit replacement cost is yours.
• Standard sizes only, no custom sizing option. Your openings will be shimmed and packed. The product was tested as a standard unit — its performance warranty applies to the standard configuration, not to the shimmed-and-packed version installed in your wall.
• Removal of old windows not included. Removing and disposing of old aluminium window frames is significant labour. Confirm it’s in the price or get a separate line item for it.
• No site measure offered. A quote based on dimensions you provide is a rough estimate, not a real quote. A real quote follows a site measure where the supplier takes responsibility for the measurements.

The ROI picture for Australian homeowners

Energy payback on double glazing in Australian climate zones varies significantly. In Melbourne and Canberra, heating loads are high enough that energy savings alone typically return the upgrade premium in 5–8 years. In Sydney, with a milder climate, the energy payback period is closer to 8–12 years depending on orientation and household energy use. In Brisbane and Perth, the thermal management benefit is primarily about keeping cool rather than keeping warm, and the payback period is similar to Sydney.

The noise and comfort benefits start from day one and have no payback calculation — they’re immediate improvements to daily life quality. For any home in a noise-affected location, this case is more compelling than the energy maths. Double glazing is also increasingly appearing in Australian real estate listings as a specific selling feature, particularly in the upper price tiers of Sydney and Melbourne markets, suggesting some premium at resale even outside the noise and energy arguments.

Based in South Windsor, NSW. We supply, install and warrant every double glazed window job across Greater Sydney. Written quotes within 48 hours of site measure.