Aluminium framed windows and doors
Extruded aluminium frames with powder-coated finish, thermally broken option available, glazed with single or double pane glass, available in sliding, awning, casement, bi-fold and hinged configurations.
Typical cost: $450 to $850 per m2 supply and install for standard single glazed sliding windows, $850 to $1,400 per m2 for thermally broken double glazed, $1,200 to $2,200 per m2 for large format stacking sliders or bi-fold doors
Pros
- • Extremely durable, 40-plus year lifespan with minimal maintenance
- • Termite and rot proof, ideal for all Australian climates including tropical regions
- • Slim sightlines suit modern architecture and maximise glass area
- • Wide range of powder-coat colours, including Colorbond matches
- • Thermally broken frames reduce heat transfer by 30 to 50 per cent compared to non-broken
- • Easily meets BAL bushfire ratings up to BAL-40 with appropriate glass and seals
Cons
- • Non-thermally-broken aluminium is a poor insulator, conducts heat readily in summer and cold in winter
- • Darker powder-coat colours can reach 60 to 70 degrees in direct sun, too hot to touch
- • Condensation common on inside of frames in cold climates without thermal break
- • Limited acoustic performance unless fitted with laminated or double glazing
Best for: All Australian climates, coastal and bushfire zones, modern and contemporary home styles, large format doors and floor-to-ceiling glazing, low-maintenance applications.
Timber framed windows and doors
Solid timber or engineered timber (laminated or finger-jointed) frames with natural oil, stain or paint finish, glazed with single or double pane glass, typically casement, awning or hinged door configurations.
Typical cost: $650 to $1,200 per m2 supply and install for single glazed hardwood casement windows, $1,100 to $1,850 per m2 for double glazed engineered timber, $1,600 to $3,200 per hinged or French door depending on size and hardware
Pros
- • Superior thermal insulation compared to aluminium, natural material is poor conductor of heat
- • Traditional aesthetic suits heritage, period and country-style homes
- • Can be locally milled from sustainable plantation hardwood or imported engineered timber
- • Repairable: scratches, dents and weathered sections can be sanded and refinished
- • Naturally renewable material with lower embodied energy than aluminium or uPVC
Cons
- • Requires repainting or oiling every five to ten years depending on exposure and finish quality
- • Susceptible to rot, decay and termite attack unless treated or naturally durable species used
- • Swells and contracts with humidity changes, can stick or warp in extreme conditions
- • Not suitable for very high BAL ratings without extensive steel reinforcing
- • Higher initial cost than aluminium for equivalent performance
- • Limited availability of thermally broken or high-performance systems
Best for: Heritage restorations, period homes, country and coastal cottage styles, cooler climates where rot risk is lower, homeowners willing to commit to regular maintenance.
uPVC (vinyl) framed windows and doors
Multi-chambered unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) extrusions with welded corners, white or limited colour range, glazed with single or double pane glass, mainly casement, awning, tilt-and-turn and sliding configurations.
Typical cost: $550 to $950 per m2 supply and install for double glazed casement windows, $750 to $1,350 per m2 for tilt-and-turn or larger awning windows, $1,400 to $2,400 per hinged or French door
Pros
- • Excellent thermal insulation: multi-chamber design naturally breaks thermal bridging
- • Very low maintenance, never requires painting, wipe-clean surface
- • Cost-competitive with mid-range aluminium on a supply and install basis
- • Inherently thermally broken, good match for double glazing to maximise energy efficiency
- • Good acoustic performance when combined with double glazing
Cons
- • Limited colour range, predominantly white, coloured options fade faster than powder-coated aluminium
- • Can become brittle and discolour in extreme UV and heat, less common in Queensland and tropical regions
- • Bulkier frame profiles than aluminium, wider sightlines reduce glass area
- • Not suitable for very large spans, doors typically limited to 2.4 metres high
- • Difficult to achieve high BAL ratings, most manufacturers limit to BAL-12.5
- • Repair options limited: damaged sections usually require entire frame replacement
Best for: Temperate and cool climates (Victoria, Tasmania, southern New South Wales, South Australia highlands), renovations and new builds where thermal performance is priority, homes not in bushfire zones.
Single glazed windows
Single pane of glass, typically 4 to 6 mm toughened or laminated, installed in aluminium, timber or uPVC frames.
Typical cost: $380 to $650 per m2 supply and install for standard aluminium framed sliding or awning windows, $550 to $950 per m2 for timber framed casement windows
Pros
- • Lowest upfront cost, meets minimum NCC requirements in many climate zones
- • Lighter weight, less structural load on frames and building
- • Simpler installation, shorter lead times from suppliers
- • Adequate performance in mild climates with good shading and ventilation design
Cons
- • Poor thermal insulation: U-values typically 5.5 to 6.5 W/m2K
- • High solar heat gain unless tinted or reflective coating applied
- • Minimal acoustic performance, Rw rating usually below 30 dB
- • Condensation common in cool climates, can lead to mould on window reveals
- • Increasingly difficult to meet six-star energy rating without expensive compensatory measures elsewhere in the building
Best for: Mild climates, well-shaded elevations, budget-conscious builds where thermal performance can be achieved through other means, small window areas in secondary rooms.
Double glazed windows
Two panes of glass separated by an air or argon-filled gap (typically 10 to 16 mm), sealed into insulated glazing units (IGUs), installed in thermally broken aluminium, timber or uPVC frames.
Typical cost: $750 to $1,250 per m2 supply and install for thermally broken aluminium framed sliding or awning windows, $950 to $1,650 per m2 for timber or uPVC framed casement windows, $1,400 to $2,600 per m2 for large format sliders or bi-fold doors
Pros
- • Dramatically improved thermal insulation: U-values as low as 2.0 to 3.5 W/m2K depending on gas fill and coatings
- • Reduced solar heat gain with low-E (low emissivity) coatings, SHGC as low as 0.25 to 0.35
- • Significant noise reduction: Rw 35 to 40 with standard air gap, higher with acoustic interlayers
- • Reduced condensation on interior glass in cold climates
- • Easier to achieve seven-star or higher energy ratings, increasingly standard in southern states
- • Can incorporate tinting, reflective coatings or laminated glass for security and UV protection
Cons
- • Higher upfront cost: 60 to 100 per cent more than equivalent single glazed product
- • Heavier: requires stronger frames and hinges, may need upgraded structural support
- • Longer lead times, most units manufactured to order with four to eight week delivery
- • Seal failure (moisture ingress between panes) can occur after 15 to 20 years, requiring IGU replacement
- • Only achieves rated performance if installed in thermally broken frames, otherwise thermal bridging negates benefits
Best for: All new builds aiming for high energy ratings, renovations in cold climates, homes with high heating or cooling costs, noise-affected sites, passive solar designs in southern states.
Sliding doors and stacking sliders
Door panels mounted on top and bottom roller tracks, sliding horizontally, with two to six panels, including stacking configurations where panels slide and stack to one or both sides.
Typical cost: $850 to $1,450 per m2 for standard two-panel aluminium sliding doors with single glazing, $1,350 to $2,200 per m2 for three or four-panel stacking sliders with double glazing, $2,400 to $4,500 per m2 for large format six-panel systems supply and install
Pros
- • No swing clearance required, ideal for tight interior or exterior spaces
- • Can span very wide openings, up to six metres with multi-panel systems
- • Most cost-effective option for large format door openings
- • Familiar operation, widely available parts and service
- • Suitable for level thresholds with correct track selection and installation
Cons
- • Less weather-tight than hinged doors, brush seals allow some air and water infiltration in heavy rain or high winds
- • Bottom tracks accumulate dirt, leaves and debris, require regular cleaning to maintain smooth operation
- • Maximum 50 per cent of opening width is accessible at any time with standard two-panel design
- • Rollers and tracks wear over time, may need adjustment or replacement after 10 to 15 years
- • Security can be compromised if anti-lift devices not fitted or tracks not properly maintained
Best for: Decks, courtyards and alfresco areas, tight spaces where hinged doors would obstruct, wide openings where full-width access is not critical, level thresholds.
Bi-fold and hinged doors
Multiple door panels hinged together that fold back concertina-style (bi-fold), or traditional hinged French doors with two door leaves opening from the centre.
Typical cost: $1,500 to $2,600 per m2 for aluminium bi-fold doors with double glazing, three to six panels, supply and install, $2,200 to $3,800 per m2 for timber bi-folds, $1,200 to $2,200 per pair of French doors depending on size and material
Pros
- • Bi-folds can open 90 to 100 per cent of opening width, maximum indoor-outdoor connection
- • Superior weather sealing compared to sliding doors, compression seals all around perimeter
- • Hinged French doors are easier to operate for people with mobility issues, no tracks to navigate
- • Bi-fold hardware allows panels to park neatly to one or both sides, minimal intrusion when open
- • Better security: multipoint locks standard on most commercial-grade systems
Cons
- • Bi-folds require swing clearance on interior or exterior (or both), need minimum 500 mm clearance zone
- • Significantly more expensive than equivalent sliding doors, 40 to 70 per cent higher installed cost
- • Hinges, pivots and folding hardware under greater stress, require heavier-duty (and more costly) components
- • Can be difficult to operate smoothly if track or panels become misaligned
- • French doors require clear swing space, usually 1200 mm minimum, impractical in tight areas
Best for: Entertaining areas where full-width opening is desired, new builds with adequate clearance zones, replacement of existing hinged doors where swing space already exists, customers prioritising weather sealing and security.
