Frame replacement typically costs from €220 – €450 for a simple window and can reach approximately €900 – €1,500 for a balcony door with a screen and roller shutter, depending on dimensions, material, opening type, and accessories. To determine the final cost of frames for a complete home replacement, measurements and costing for each option are required. Also, the glass, color, screens, roller shutters/external shutters, and especially the installation cost play a crucial role.
Two frames that may look identical can have a significant price difference, as they might belong to a different aluminum series, have different glass, different mechanisms, and different installation quality. Finally, something many consumers are unaware of is that the period chosen for frame replacement, as well as the manufacturer’s waste, play a decisive role in the price.
In this article, we will examine in detail the prices, costs, and what affects a quote for frame replacement.
Indicative Frame Replacement Prices
The prices below are indicative and help for an initial estimate. The final quote may change depending on exact dimensions, frame series, replacement period, location, access to the project, and whether VAT, demolition, or minor repairs are included.
- Single-leaf window price: €220 – €450
- Simple PVC window price: from €160 – €300
- Hinged or sliding balcony door price: €500 – €900
- Sliding balcony door with glass, screen, and shutter/roller shutter price: €850 – €1,500
- Pleated screen price: €150 – €270
- Security door – armored or entrance door price: €430 – €800+
- Demolition – old frame replacement price: €30 – €70 per piece
These amounts are useful for understanding the general market scale. However, they do not replace a technical cost estimate. A small bathroom window, a double-leaf living room balcony door, and a concealed sliding door do not have the same difficulty or manufacturing time.
What affects the price most?
There are factors that affect the price of frame replacement that are well-known. These include the material, dimensions, opening type, whether there is thermal break, screens, and the type of external shutters (roller shutters or traditional shutters). However, there are also some unknown factors that affect the price, related to seasonality, waste, and the type of demolition. Let’s look at all of the above:
The material: aluminum or PVC
PVC frames are usually more economical in initial purchase. Aluminum frames, on the other hand, are often chosen for their durability, aesthetics, long lifespan, and options in modern energy-efficient series. If we are talking about Europa aluminum frames, the chosen series plays a significant role in the final cost. See a comparison of these materials, their advantages and disadvantages, in our article aluminum or pvc.
The dimensions and number of frames
The larger the opening, the more materials are needed. However, this does not mean that the price is calculated only per square meter. A small frame can have mechanisms, glass, gaskets, color, frame, and labor, just like a larger one. Calculating frame prices per square meter is incorrect, because a one (1m2) square meter frame and another two (2m2) square meter frame do not have double the materials, nor do they require double the labor hours to manufacture. Therefore, the correct way to determine the cost of frames is the total costing for all the frames in the house, because this allows for a more accurate calculation of transportation, crew, waste, and installation time.
The opening type
Hinged, sliding, parallel sliding, concealed, or lift-and-slide? The opening type changes both the price and the way it is used.
Hinged frames often provide very good sealing and thermal insulation. Sliding frames are practical when there is no space for inward-opening sashes. Lift-and-slide or more complex systems increase the cost, but can offer the practicality of sliding frames (they don’t take up space) with the performance of hinged ones (high frame performance).
The glass and thermal break
Energy-efficient double or triple glazing significantly affects the price, as well as the frame’s performance. The same applies to thermal break. If the house has heat loss, humidity, noise, or old single glazing, choosing an energy-efficient frame is “mandatory”. To understand the difference, a single pane of glass has losses of 7 watts/m2, while an energy-efficient one has 1 watt/m2, which means 7 times higher performance (see a real experiment on how much you save with energy-efficient frames).
Screens, roller shutters, traditional shutters, and color
Many quotes appear low because they do not include all accessories. Screens, roller shutters, traditional shutters, electric operation, special handles, and color can significantly change the final amount.
White frames are usually the most economical option. RAL shades, wood imitation, or special paints can increase the cost. It’s not wrong to choose them; you just need to know from the beginning if they are included in the quote.
Useful tips to find the best prices for frame replacement and save money
- Replace frames in Low Season seasons and you will definitely save a lot of money. The smartest choice for replacing your frames is during the autumn and winter months. From January to April, demand is lower, which means better prices, more immediate service, and greater attention to your project. Frame manufacturers and installation crews have more time to deal with every detail, thus ensuring a higher quality result. There is no need to worry about weather conditions and cold. The replacement is done quickly and organized, with each old frame being replaced immediately. The house remains exposed and open for minimal time, usually no more than 2-3 hours. If the replacement lasts more than one day, the house does not remain open, so it is fully habitable without any problem.
- Do not choose many different types of frames because it increases manufacturer’s waste and remnants. Frame manufacturers buy aluminum in 6-meter bars. So, if you have 1 hinged frame, 1 parallel sliding with a screen, one without, and one concealed, you create a lot of waste and many remnants for which you are charged. Try to group the frames or ask manufacturers to help you.
- If you want colored frames (not white), choose colors from the free frame colors or from the aluminum color offers.
- Do not get prices per square meter because you might be cheating yourself. As mentioned above, a one square meter (1m2) frame and another two square meter (2m2) frame do not have double the materials, nor do they require double the labor hours to manufacture.
- The type of replacement affects the price. Demolishing wooden frames is more difficult than replacing old aluminum sliding frames.
- Don’t fall into the trap of ‘‘I’ll only do it once”. Carefully choose and evaluate your needs (e.g., don’t install heavy-duty electric roller shutters everywhere if you don’t need them, or very ‘heavy’ thermal breaks in Athens).
Why you shouldn’t compare only the final price
The cheapest quote is not always the most advantageous. It may not include demolition, minor repairs, VAT, screens, or roller shutters. It may also refer to a different series, different glass, or a lower-specification mechanism.
Before deciding, request the following in writing:
- The frame series
- The type of energy-efficient glass
- If there is a thermal break
- What exact type is included for screens, roller shutters, or traditional shutters
- What applies to demolition and installation
- What guarantees and certificates are provided
- If the price includes VAT
See in detail what you should look for before purchasing.
How to better estimate your budget
For an initial estimate, make a simple list of all the openings in the house. For each frame, write down the width, height, opening type, and if you want a screen, roller shutter, or traditional shutter. If possible, also add photos of the old frames.
Example:
- 1 small hinged bathroom window 50×50
- 2 double-leaf hinged bedroom windows 120×120
- 1 kitchen door 90×220
- 1 large parallel sliding living room door 280×220
- Screens on all
- Roller shutter on the large balcony door
With this information, the quote will be much closer to reality. Without dimensions, the professional can only provide a general range.
Online frame cost estimation
We provide an online cost estimation form for Europa aluminum frames, where the user can follow steps to request prices for different types of frames.
Through this process, you can specify details such as frame type, dimensions, series, color, glass, external shutters, screens, and whether the job involves replacement. This way, the estimate is not based on a general price per piece, but on the actual characteristics of the project.
In summary, prices for frame replacement are always determined by the needs of each space, dimensions, aluminum series, glass, and additional accessories. Therefore, before comparing quotes, make sure you know exactly what each one includes.
Contact us and send us your project details to receive a detailed cost estimate for Europa frames.
