Replacing draughty old windows and doors saves money, but only if you get the specification right first.
Frame material is the first decision: uPVC and aluminium generally win on affordability and low maintenance, timber on charm and character.
There’s no single price for double glazing, since it depends on quantity, size, style and any special design requirements.
Check whether council approval is needed before work starts, especially for older or heritage sensitive properties.
Repair or reinforce the structure first, because new windows in a crumbling opening is money poorly spent.

Getting new windows and doors installed is a good idea for several reasons, but it still needs to be thought through to make sure you’re making the best decision.

Replacing draughty, inefficient old windows and doors with modern ones can save you money in the long run, and actually beginning very soon. But you need to maximise those savings, and there are options to choose between, so here are some things to take into consideration.

Your Checklist at a Glance

Step	What to decide or check	Why it matters
1. Frame material	Timber, uPVC or aluminium	Sets your cost, maintenance and lifespan expectations
2. Budget and scope	Number, size and complexity of openings	The main driver of the final quote
3. Glazing level	Double or triple glazing	Higher upfront cost against ongoing energy savings
4. Style and operation	Sash, awning, tilt and turn, sliding, bi-fold	Affects ventilation, ease of use and hardware cost
5. Approvals	Council or body corporate permission	Avoids expensive rework or refusal after the fact
6. Structural condition	Lintels, reveals, sills and surrounding walls	New frames need sound openings to seal and perform

What Frame Material Should You Choose?

The choices here are threefold: wood, uPVC and aluminium, but within those there are options too.

If you’re looking at draught elimination and heat retention plus long life, that pretty much rules out wood, because no matter how well made the units are, timber has a limited life without ongoing care. You can extend it through the type of timber, going for a hardwood rather than a softwood, and this will make a difference, but not a huge one. You’ll also be looking at higher cost.

Now, if you live in a sheltered inland area where there’s no salt in the air, and what you’re intending to do is create a charming traditional look, wood is not completely out of the question. But do have a good, honest discussion with your window manufacturer or supplier and get recommendations and assurances.

For their part, what they want ultimately is a satisfied customer, so it’s in their best interests to be frank about this. If they’re confident they can deliver the economic results you want with a lifespan you’re happy with, then go for it.

However, when the figures are coming in you’ll find uPVC and aluminium on top for affordability. Our uPVC double glazed window range is a good place to start if low maintenance and thermal performance are your priorities. For a broader view of how frame materials compare on energy performance, the Australian Government’s windows guidance sets out the differences clearly.

How Much Does Double Glazing Cost?

There’s always a question like this with building work and rarely a definitive answer. It depends on how many windows and doors, how big they are, and whether there are special design requirements. You’ll need to get thoroughly measured up and make your preferences clear before you can get an accurate estimate.

The main variables are:

The number of openings and their overall glazed area.
Frame material and system, including whether the aluminium is thermally broken.
Glazing package, such as Low E coatings, acoustic laminates or gas fills.
Opening style and hardware complexity.
Access and installation difficulty, including upper storeys and awkward reveals.
Whether existing openings need making good before installation.

As the costs are going to be offset to a certain extent by savings on energy bills, you may consider triple glazing rather than double. This ramps up the efficiency but also the initial cost, so it is worth modelling both before you decide.

The Question of Style

First there’s style as regards what your raw material offers. Wood, as we’ve seen, has its natural charm, while uPVC is more about functionality and can be on the chunky side. Aluminium can be strong but sleek, and comes with many colour options these days.

Then there’s the way your windows open. Sash style, the ones that go up and down, still has many admirers, while tilt and turn options can be very practical. A tilt and turn window is one with dual action hardware: tilt the sash inwards at the top for secure ventilation, or swing it fully inwards on a side hinge for full opening and easy cleaning.

You can get doors that tilt and slide too, and also the standard sliding versions. Are you going to be big on ventilation, or is yours going to be an impenetrable, airtight fortress? Again, if you’re not sure, you can discuss this with your contractor. It helps to look through the full door styles available before you settle on a configuration.

Is Permission Going to Be Needed?

It’s possible you’ll need permission before you start ripping the windows out, and that permission may not be forthcoming if yours is an old property or in a sensitive area. So it’s advisable to contact the council, or ask your potential contractor, to make sure you’re not going to get a nasty surprise afterwards.

Things worth confirming before you order:

Whether the property is heritage listed or in a conservation area.
Whether a strata or body corporate approval is required for an apartment or townhouse.
Whether any change to opening sizes triggers a development application.
Whether bushfire or cyclonic requirements apply to the glazing specification in your area.

Does Your Place Need Some Repairing First?

Putting beautiful new windows and doors into a crumbling building is self defeating, so have a long, hard look at the structure and see if it needs repairing or reinforcing before you start the work. Rotten sills, cracked render, failed lintels and damp reveals will all undermine an otherwise perfect installation.

If you’re working with a good, reputable contractor they’ll be able to advise you on this, and a straightforward replacement window project often includes making good the openings as part of the scope.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I check before replacing windows and doors?

Confirm six things before ordering: your frame material, your budget and the number of openings, whether you want double or triple glazing, the opening style and hardware, whether council or strata approval is needed, and whether the surrounding structure needs repair first.

Is triple glazing worth it over double glazing?

Triple glazing improves thermal and acoustic performance and costs more upfront. It makes most sense in colder climates, on very exposed elevations, or where noise is a serious problem. In milder areas, a well specified double glazed unit with a Low E coating often delivers most of the benefit for less.

Do I need council approval to replace my windows?

It depends on the property and the change. Like for like replacements in a standard home often don’t require approval, but heritage listed properties, conservation areas, strata titled apartments and any change to the size of an opening usually do. Check with your local council before committing to an order.

How long does a window replacement take?

Manufacturing lead times are the longest part of the process, and installation itself is usually the shorter phase. Your supplier should give you an indicative timeline at quotation stage, covering measurement, production and installation separately.

The overall message here is that you shouldn’t rush into getting windows and doors replaced. Work through the list above and make sure you get exactly what you need and you’re making the best choice for the future. Once you’ve made your decision on the type of windows, or if you need help choosing, get in touch with our team here.