Window Cost per Square Metre — Accurate Benchmarks

What does a window cost per m²? Accurate benchmarks by material, region, and specification. Compare PVC, aluminium, timber, and composite with market-tested pricing.

Download on App StoreGet on Google Play

Real Window Pricing by the Square Metre

Benchmarks that reflect actual market pricing — not outdated guide prices.

1

Material-Based Benchmarks

PVC supply-only: £180-£320/m². Aluminium (thermally broken): £350-£600/m². Timber (engineered softwood): £550-£900/m². Composite (aluminium-clad timber): £800-£1,400/m². Benchmarks reflect UK 2026 pricing; the calculator adjusts for your region and currency automatically.

2

Glass Specification Impact

Standard 4-12-4 DGU adds ~£90-120/m² of glass area. Acoustic glass adds ~£50-80/m² beyond that. Triple glazing adds ~£70-100/m² over standard DGU. The per-m² cost is driven mostly by glass — frame cost is relatively constant per metre run.

3

Size Effect on Per-m² Price

Small windows (<0.5 m²) cost 2-3× per m² what a medium window costs, because fixed fabrication setup time dominates. Large windows (>3 m²) can cost 1.5-2× per m² due to reinforced profiles and hardware. Mid-range (1-2 m²) is the sweet spot. Calculator shows this curve.

4

Opening Type Impact

Fixed-panel casement: baseline. Top-hung casement: +10%. Side-hung casement: +15%. Tilt-turn: +25-35%. Sash: +30-50%. French: +40-60%. Every opening mechanism adds hardware and fabrication hours — the per-m² price reflects that, not just glass area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is cost per m² different for small vs large windows?
Fabrication has fixed setup costs per window regardless of size — cutting, assembly, glazing in, testing. Spreading £20-40 of setup over 0.5 m² vs 2 m² makes the small window's per-m² cost dramatically higher. Supply-only quoting per-unit reflects this; per-m² quoting can mislead if size mix isn't considered.
Do regional differences change cost per m²?
Labour-heavy regions (London, Munich, Paris, NYC) push per-m² installed cost 25-40% above rural areas of the same country. Material costs are more uniform (national distribution). Most regional variation comes from install labour and business overhead, not material supply.
Is £350/m² a reasonable UPVC window price?
Supply-only: yes, mid-range for a quality UPVC window with standard 28mm A-rated glazing and white foil. Supply-and-install with FENSA certification: £450-£550/m² is typical. Prices below £280/m² supply-only usually indicate budget profile, cheap hardware, or both — a valid choice but reflected in the warranty and life expectancy.
How do I convert m² pricing to per-window pricing?
Per-window price = per-m² price × window area + fixed setup cost. Doorwin handles both formats automatically — quote per-window for residential clients (simpler), per-m² for commercial bids (standard format). The calculation is identical; presentation differs.

Industry guides and updates

Get the latest window & door industry content delivered to your inbox.

Quote Windows at Accurate m² Rates

Market-tested benchmarks. Adjustable for your region, currency, and specification.

App StoreGoogle Play