Aluminium Window Cost Dubai: 2026 Price Guide
Expect to pay AED 550 to 950 per square metre installed for standard aluminium sliding windows in Dubai, and AED 900 to 1,600 per square metre for double glazed thermal break systems. Profile, glass and site access move that number more than the size of the order.
Why work with Muhammed Gani
- Dubai based interior fit-out and aluminium and glass contractor
- In-house fabrication, glazing and installation crews
- Measured site survey and written quotation before any deposit
- Fixed per square metre rates with the minimum charge per opening stated up front
- NOC and building management paperwork handled for you
- Direct WhatsApp line for quotes on +971 50 428 9742
What an aluminium window actually costs in Dubai
Installed prices settle into a narrow band once the specification is fixed. These figures cover fabrication, delivery, installation, silicone and standard hardware.
| Specification | Installed range (AED per sqm) |
|---|---|
| Single glazed sliding, local profile, 5mm glass | 550-700 |
| Single glazed sliding, heavier local profile, 6mm glass | 650-950 |
| Double glazed sliding, thermal break, Low-E glass | 900-1,300 |
| Double glazed casement or tilt and turn, European system | 1,200-1,600 |
| Fixed glazing and shopfront framing | 700-1,100 |
Two worked examples show how that reads on an invoice.
A two bedroom apartment refit with 10 openings, two balcony sliders, six windows and two small bathroom windows, comes to about 18 sqm of glazing. At AED 700 to 850 per sqm the frames land between AED 12,600 and 15,300. Removal and disposal of the old frames adds AED 1,200 to 2,000, so budget AED 14,000 to 17,500 for the swap.
An office or cafe frontage of 30 sqm in fixed double glazed framing at AED 1,100 to 1,400 per sqm comes to AED 33,000 to 42,000. Add cradle or scaffold hire of AED 2,500 to 6,000 if the work sits above the first floor, plus approval fees.
Small openings carry a minimum charge, usually AED 450 to 800 per window, because a 0.5 sqm bathroom window takes almost as long to fabricate as a 2 sqm bedroom window.
What drives the price of an aluminium window
Five variables explain most of the gap between two quotes for the same opening.
Profile series and wall thickness
Local extruded profiles cost less and are fine for standard residential sizes. European systems such as Technal, Schüco, Reynaers or Alumil run 25 to 40% higher on tighter tolerances and better hardware. Wall thickness matters too: a 1.2mm profile flexes on a 2.4m slider where 1.6mm or 2mm holds.
Glass specification
Single 5mm or 6mm clear glass is the entry point. A double glazed unit written as 6mm clear + 12mm argon + 6mm Low-E adds roughly AED 120 to 220 per sqm and cuts heat gain and noise. Laminated glass, usually 6.38mm or 8.38mm, adds AED 60 to 140 per sqm and is the safe choice for balustrades and noise-facing elevations.
Opening type
Fixed glazing is cheapest because nothing moves. Sliding comes next. Casement, awning and tilt and turn windows need heavier hinges and handles and add 10 to 25%.
Finish
Powder coating in any RAL colour adds AED 40 to 90 per sqm over mill finish. Anodised costs less but pits faster in coastal salt air. Ask for 60 microns minimum.
Size and quantity
Above about 3 sqm per panel, profile and glass upgrades climb quickly. Below 1 sqm, the minimum charge dominates. Twelve identical windows cost less per unit than twelve different sizes because the factory sets up once.
Peach and white paper flowers, arched windows and a geometric floor in a Dubai cafe fit-out.
Aluminium vs uPVC vs wood in Dubai heat and humidity
Aluminium wins on lifespan and heat tolerance, uPVC wins on upfront price, and timber is a design decision rather than a value one.
uPVC costs 20 to 30% less and works well inside air conditioned rooms. Direct sun is the problem. Dark uPVC in July passes 60C on the surface, profiles expand, and wide sliding panels start to drag or warp after a few summers.
Timber suits villa interiors, but humidity swells the sections and the coating needs renewal every two to three years.
Aluminium does not rust. It oxidises to a thin protective layer and holds its shape in 50C heat. The honest caveat is thermal bridging, which is why thermal break profiles with a polyamide strip exist. They cost 30 to 45% more than single glazed local sliding windows. On a shaded 1.5 sqm bedroom window the payback is modest. On a west facing 6 sqm glass wall or a cafe frontage, the same upgrade pays back faster through cooling load and comfort.
Hidden costs specific to Dubai
Cheap quotes often stop at the edge of the frame. Check these line items.
- Removal and disposal of old frames: AED 1,000 to 2,500 per apartment, or AED 40 to 70 per opening.
- Making good: plaster patching and repainting reveals, AED 60 to 110 per linear metre.
- Access: scaffold or cradle at AED 1,500 to 6,000 for upper floors, plus permits and a licensed rigger.
- Approvals: facade changes on villas and offices usually need a developer or community NOC and, where the elevation changes, Dubai Municipality sign off. Budget AED 500 to 3,000 and 5 to 15 working days.
- Building management hours: most towers restrict drilling and lifting to 9am to 5pm, and require lift protection and a work permit deposit.
- Thermal performance: large conditioned glazing affects DEWA cooling load, so cheap single glazing is a false economy.
For how glazing sits inside a shop or office build, read interior fit-out with aluminium and glass in Dubai.
How to compare aluminium window quotes
Ask every supplier for a per opening breakdown, the written specification and the programme dates.
Per square metre pricing compares well on big runs but hides the minimum charge on small openings. Per window pricing is clearer for apartments. Good quotes show both.
Every quotation should state:
- Profile brand, series and wall thickness in millimetres
- Glass make-up in full, for example 6mm clear + 12mm argon + 6mm Low-E
- Hardware brand for rollers, hinges, handles and locks
- Gasket type, finish, RAL colour and coating thickness
- U-value and solar heat gain where relevant
- Warranty split by profile, coating, hardware and workmanship
- Whether disposal, making good and access are included
- Start and completion dates
Judge finished work at full size before signing. See our completed aluminium and glass projects in Dubai to check frame joints, silicone lines and how panels run. Then get an aluminium window quote in Dubai with your opening sizes and floor level so the price comes back fixed.
Timeline from measurement to installation
For 10 to 15 openings, plan three to six weeks from first visit to final snag list.
- Site survey, 1 to 2 days. Confirm sizes, floor level, access and whether old frames stay.
- Specification and quotation sign off, 3 to 5 days. Approve profile, glass, colour and hardware in writing.
- Approvals where needed, 5 to 15 working days for NOC or municipality.
- Fabrication, 10 to 18 working days. Standard colours move faster than custom RAL shades.
- Delivery and installation, 2 to 4 days. Glass goes in after frames are plumb and fixed.
- Making good, sealing and snagging, 1 to 2 days.
Our aluminium and glass installation services run survey, fabrication and installation through one team, so nothing waits on a third party.
Frequently asked questions
Is double glazing worth the extra cost in Dubai?
On west and south facing windows above 3 sqm, and on cafe or office frontages, yes. It cuts solar heat gain and outside noise, and the upgrade adds roughly AED 120 to 220 per sqm over single glazing. On small shaded windows the DEWA saving is modest, so choose it for comfort rather than payback.
Do I need approval to change villa windows in Dubai?
Most villa communities and free zone developers require an NOC before any facade change, and Dubai Municipality sign off applies where the elevation or opening size changes. Approval usually takes 5 to 15 working days and costs AED 500 to 3,000. Get it in writing before you order frames.
How long does it take from order to installation?
A standard aluminium window in a common colour takes 10 to 18 working days to fabricate. Add survey, approval and installation, and a 10 to 15 opening job runs three to six weeks. Custom RAL colours and imported European systems can add a week or two.
Does aluminium rust in coastal humidity?
Aluminium does not rust. It forms a thin oxide layer that protects the metal, and powder coating or anodising adds a second barrier. Cheap anodised finishes can pit in salt air, so specify powder coat at 60 microns or more and rinse the frames twice a year.
What warranty should I get on powder coating?
Quality applicators offer 5 to 10 years on colour and adhesion, and that should appear in writing with the applicator named. Hardware and moving parts usually carry 1 to 2 years. Workmanship on installation should be covered separately for at least 12 months.
