Clearfox Windows · Adelaide window specialists
Double Glazing Cost in Adelaide: What Drives the Price
By Clearfox Windows · Published 8 October 2026
What does double glazing cost in Adelaide?
As a typical guide for Adelaide homes, the double glazing cost for a full double-glazed window is $1,500–$8,500 per opening, fitted. Where an existing timber frame can take it, retrofit double-glazed sashes run about $1,800–$4,000 per opening. Size, frame material, glass specification and access move each window within those ranges.
Those ranges are wide on purpose. A small double-glazed awning window in a single-storey brick home sits at the bottom. A large timber casement in a heritage villa, or a tall uPVC unit on the first floor, sits near the top. This guide walks through what actually drives the number, so the quote you get makes sense line by line.
Typical double glazing prices by frame
The frame is usually the biggest single variable after size. These are the per-opening ranges we publish across the site, as a typical guide for Adelaide homes:
| Frame and glazing | Per opening, fitted |
|---|---|
| Aluminium, double-glazed | $1,800–$5,500 |
| uPVC, double-glazed | $1,500–$7,500 |
| Timber casement, double-glazed | $2,800–$8,500 |
| Premium uPVC, triple-glazed | $5,500–$11,000 |
| Retrofit double-glazed sashes (suitable timber frames) | $1,800–$4,000 |
A whole-home replacement typically lands around $35,000–$110,000, depending on the number of openings, frame choice and how much making good the walls need. If you are building rather than replacing, new-build window packages typically run $18,000–$95,000.
For the full picture across single glazing as well, see our guide to how much new windows cost in Adelaide.
The factors that move double glazing cost
Window size and shape
Glass is priced by area, and larger panes need thicker glass and stronger frames. Non-standard shapes (raked heads, arched tops, odd sizes to suit an older opening) add manufacturing time.
Frame material
Aluminium is generally the most economical frame. Thermally broken aluminium sits higher because the frame includes an insulating barrier. uPVC and timber cost more again and, in the case of timber, carry finishing and maintenance considerations. Our aluminium vs uPVC vs timber comparison covers the trade-offs.
Glass specification
“Double glazing” covers a lot of different glass. A basic double-glazed unit with two clear panes costs less than one with a Low-E coating, an argon fill, laminated glass on one side for security or noise, or toughened glass where safety glazing is required. Each upgrade adds to the glazing line, and each one does a different job, so it is worth only paying for what your rooms need.
Window style and hardware
Fixed panes are the simplest. Sliding, awning, casement and double-hung windows add moving sashes, seals, locks and winders. Tilt-and-turn and large multi-panel units add more hardware again.
Removal and making good
Many Adelaide homes are double brick, brick veneer or rendered masonry. Taking out an old frame cleanly and reinstating the brickwork, render, flashings and internal architraves is a real part of the fitted price. Older homes with uneven or damaged openings take longer.
Access and height
Ground-floor windows with clear access are quickest. First-floor windows over a sloping block, or work that needs scaffolding, add cost. Where scaffolding is needed, it typically adds $2,000–$8,000 to the project.
Site-specific requirements
Some properties carry extra rules. In bushfire-prone parts of the Adelaide Hills, a property’s Bushfire Attack Level can dictate the frame, glass and screens. Heritage places and historic area overlays can affect what a replacement window may look like. Both can add cost, and both are confirmed by your builder, certifier, BAL assessor or council rather than by us.
Double glazing in Adelaide: where the money is best spent
Adelaide has hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, so double glazing earns its keep in both seasons. That doesn’t mean every window needs the same treatment.
- West- and north-facing glass takes the strongest sun. A Low-E coating on these windows usually does more for summer comfort than adding a third pane.
- Living areas and bedrooms are where people feel the difference. Laundries, storerooms and garages can often stay as they are.
- Rooms facing a busy road may benefit from laminated glass on one side of the unit.
- Large sliding doors and picture windows are usually the biggest heat-loss and heat-gain surfaces in the house, so they deserve attention first.
If budget is tight, staging the work room by room is common. Doing the most-used rooms first, then the rest later, spreads the cost without wasting money. Ordering as one package does tend to be more efficient for manufacturing and installation, though, so it is worth asking for both options on your quote.
Retrofit versus full replacement
Retrofit double glazing replaces the glass (and sometimes the sashes) inside an existing frame. It suits sound timber frames, especially in character homes where the original frame is worth keeping. Aluminium frames generally can’t be retrofitted, so full replacement is usually the right call there.
Full replacement costs more per opening but gives you a new frame, new seals and new hardware. Our guide to retrofit double glazing vs full window replacement goes through how to decide.
How to read a double glazing quote
A useful quote is itemised so you can see where the money goes. Look for:
- Each opening listed separately with its size, style and frame.
- The glass specification for each unit: pane thicknesses, coatings, gas fill and any laminated or toughened glass.
- Published performance figures (U-value and SHGC) where the product carries them, so you can compare like with like.
- Removal, disposal and making good shown clearly, not hidden in a single lump sum.
- Access costs such as scaffolding, if needed.
- Warranty terms set out by the manufacturer and in the written quote, on top of your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.
If quotes you receive look very different, the cause is almost always in one of those lines: a different glass spec, a different frame system, or a different scope of making good.
Is it worth paying more?
That depends on the home and how long you plan to stay. Double glazing reduces heat transfer through the glass, cuts draughts when the frames are well sealed, and helps with noise. How much it saves on power bills varies with the home, its orientation, insulation elsewhere and how you heat and cool it, so we are wary of any single payback figure. Our article on whether double glazing is worth it in Adelaide looks at that question in more depth.
Related services
Clearfox Windows supplies and installs double glazing and replacement windows in uPVC and aluminium frames across Adelaide metro and the Adelaide Hills. Every price starts with an on-site measure.
Frequently asked questions
How much does double glazing cost per window in Adelaide?
As a typical guide, a full double-glazed window costs $1,500–$8,500 per opening fitted in Adelaide. Small aluminium awning windows sit at the low end, while large timber or uPVC units, first-floor openings and heritage work sit at the high end.
Is retrofit double glazing cheaper than new windows?
Retrofit double-glazed sashes typically cost $1,800–$4,000 per opening and suit timber frames that are in good condition. Aluminium frames generally can’t be retrofitted, so full replacement is usually needed for those.
Why do double glazing quotes vary so much?
Quotes differ in frame system, glass specification, hardware, the scope of removal and making good, and access costs such as scaffolding. An itemised quote lets you see which of those lines explains the difference.
Does Low-E glass add much to the cost?
A Low-E coating adds to the glazing line, but for west- and north-facing windows in Adelaide it is often one of the most useful upgrades. Your quote should show the glass specification for each opening so you can see what it adds.
Do I need double glazing on every window?
No. Many Adelaide homeowners start with living areas, bedrooms and the windows facing the strongest sun or a busy road. Rooms that are used less can be done later or left as they are.
How long does it take to double glaze a house?
Plan for a supply lead time of around 4–8 weeks after you approve the quote, then an install window of around 5–7 days for a full home. Smaller jobs are quicker.
Get a double glazing quote
The ranges above are a typical guide. The number that matters is the one for your windows, measured on site. Request a quote or call 0468 038 136 — we’ll get back to you within 24–48 hours to book a free on-site measure, then give you a written, itemised quote.