A cracked pane, a foggy double glazed unit or a window that will not shut properly always raises the same question first: how much do replacement windows cost? Naturally, you want a number before you pick up the phone. So this guide gives you one.

In short, most Adelaide glaziers charge roughly $150 to $600 to put new glass into a standard window, and roughly $600 to $3,000 per window when they replace the whole unit including the frame. Because that gap is so wide, the rest of this guide breaks down exactly what pushes a job from one end of it to the other.

What Makes Replacement Windows Cost More or Less

Two windows that look identical from the street can carry quotes hundreds of dollars apart. Below are the six things that make the difference.

Glass only, or the whole window

This factor matters most. When we reglaze, we lift out the broken pane and fit new glass into your existing frame. When we replace the window, we take the frame out too, which adds labour, materials and sometimes patching or painting around the opening. As a result, the two jobs sit in completely different price brackets.

The type of glass

Standard clear float glass costs the least. Toughened safety glass costs more, because the factory heat treats every sheet, and in some spots the Australian Standards leave you no choice. Laminated glass costs more again, though it earns its keep on street facing and upstairs windows. Finally, sealed double glazed units sit at the top, since you buy a manufactured unit rather than a single sheet.

Size and thickness

Glaziers price glass by area, and thickness steps up as panes get bigger. A large picture window or a sliding door panel needs heavier glass, and often two people to carry and set it safely. Consequently, the material and the labour climb together.

Frame material and condition

Aluminium frames usually reglaze quickly. Timber frames take longer, since we have to strip old putty or beading cleanly, and rotten timber often needs repair first. Meanwhile, uPVC and double glazed frames use specific gaskets and hardware, so we match the parts to the frame before we quote.

Access and location

A ground floor bedroom window is straightforward. However, a second storey window, a shopfront on a busy street or a pane above a stairwell may call for extra equipment or an extra set of hands, and the quote reflects that.

Timing

A planned job during business hours costs the least. By contrast, an after hours call out where somebody has smashed a window, and you need the property secure tonight, is a different service. Typically we board it up first, then fit the new glass shortly after.

So, How Much Do Replacement Windows Cost on Average?

The ranges below reflect the sort of work we do day to day across metro Adelaide, including supply and installation. Treat them as a planning guide rather than a quote. Also, the bars show where each job usually sits relative to the others.

How much do replacement windows cost for glass only?

First, the jobs where the frame stays exactly where it is. These make up most of what we do, and they cost the least.

Replacement window costs with a new frame

Next, the jobs where the frame comes out as well. Naturally these cost more, since they take more time and more material.

All figures are Australian dollars and cover supply and installation for a single window in metro Adelaide. Of course, several windows in one visit usually work out cheaper per window, since we only attend once.

If a quote you already hold sits well outside these ranges, get a second opinion. In fact, we will happily beat any written quote by up to 10%.

Average Replacement Window Costs by Window Type

Beyond the glass itself, the style of window in the opening changes the work involved. So it helps to know which camp yours falls into.

Window styles with lower replacement costs

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  Sliding windows. Adelaide homes use these everywhere, and they reglaze easily. Often worn rollers and tracks cause the real trouble, and we can repair those instead.
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  Awning and casement windows. Hinges and winders wear out over time. However, a new winder costs a fraction of a new window.
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  Louvre windows. We can usually swap individual blades one at a time, which keeps the price low.

Window styles with higher replacement costs

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  Double hung and sash windows. Older character homes across the inner suburbs use these. Because cords, weights and putty lines take longer, labour makes up a bigger share of the cost.
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  Fixed and picture windows. Nothing moves, so nothing wears out. On the other hand, large single panes need thicker glass, which lifts the price.
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  Sliding doors and full height glass. Size, weight and safety glass rules push these closer to commercial rates.

If you are weighing up glass only against a full unit, our window replacement Adelaide page sets out what we replace, repair and install, including the glass types we carry. For older homes, see house window replacement. Meanwhile, for foggy or draughty windows, look at double glazed windows.

How We Quote Replacement Window Costs

Nobody can price glass properly without knowing the size, the type and where it sits. Still, we can get you a real number quickly. Here is how.

The Short Answer on Replacement Window Costs

So, how much do replacement windows cost? For most Adelaide homes, a straightforward pane of glass in a good frame costs a couple of hundred dollars, while a complete new window climbs closer to four figures. Above all, the glass type, the size, the frame and the access decide where you land. That is exactly why a five minute look at the window beats any online calculator.

If you would rather have a number than an estimate, ask us for a free quote. Then you will hold a fixed price before anyone starts work.

Replacement Window Cost FAQs

How much do replacement windows cost in Adelaide?

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As a guide, new glass in a standard window costs about $150 to $600, including supply and installation, depending on the size and whether you need float, toughened or laminated glass. A complete window including the frame generally runs from about $600 to $3,000. Of course, we quote free of charge, and we beat any written quote by up to 10%.

Is it cheaper to replace the glass or the whole window?

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New glass almost always costs less, often by several hundred dollars. So choose it whenever the frame still sits straight and operates properly. However, a full replacement makes sense once the frame rots or corrodes badly, or when you upgrade to double glazing.

Why does toughened glass cost more than ordinary glass?

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A heat treatment makes toughened glass far stronger, and it breaks into blunt pieces instead of sharp shards. Because the factory must cut it to size before that treatment, every pane arrives to order. In addition, the Australian Standards demand it in doors, low level windows and wet areas, so in those spots it counts as a requirement rather than an upgrade.

My double glazed window has gone foggy. Do I need a whole new window?

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Usually not. Fog between the panes simply means the seal on the sealed unit has failed. In most cases we fit a new unit into your existing frame, which costs considerably less than a new window.

How quickly can you replace a broken window?

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We finish many window glass replacements the same day, depending on the glass type and size. If somebody has smashed a window, we board it up immediately to secure the property, then return with the new glass. Also, we run emergency call outs 24/7 right across Adelaide.

Do you charge for quotes?

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No. Quotes cost nothing and carry no obligation. In fact, we price most jobs on the spot as soon as we see the window.