Aluclad vs timber windows
Alu-clad windows usually cost about 10% to 30% more than the same windows in painted timber: €1,100 to €2,000 a triple-glazed window supplied and fitted. For that, the outside never needs painting. A painted timber window needs its outside recoated every 5 to 12 years, depending on the paint system and how exposed the wall is. Inside, both are real wood.
Price, painting, lifespan, colour and which one suits your house, side by side.
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Alu-clad and painted timber windows compared
| Alu-clad (timber inside, aluminium outside) | Painted timber (timber inside and out) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | About 10% to 30% more than timber: €1,100 to €2,000 a window, €11,000 to €20,000 for a 3-bed semi | The lower of the two. Large or elaborate windows narrow the gap least |
| Outside finish | Powder-coated aluminium. No painting, wash it down once or twice a year | Factory paint or stain. Recoat every 5 to 12 years |
| Inside finish | Painted or lacquered pine, or oak. Can be sanded and repainted | Painted or lacquered timber. Can be sanded and repainted |
| Expected life | Around 40 years with the seals and opening gear looked after. Powder coat stays in excellent condition for about 25 years | As long as the paint is kept up. Bare timber at the cills and bottom rails is where trouble starts |
| Colour | Any RAL colour outside, a different colour or bare wood inside, at no extra cost on most systems | One paint colour outside, changed whenever you repaint |
| Glass and U-value | Triple glazing to Uw 0.78 to 0.85 W/m²K | Same glass options. The frame is timber in both |
| Best suited to | Exposed and coastal sites, two-storey houses, self-builds | Period houses, smaller budgets, owners happy to repaint |
Is alu-clad worth the extra over timber?
On an exposed site or a two-storey house, usually yes. The extra 10% to 30% buys you out of repainting the outside of every window every 5 to 12 years, and on upstairs windows that often means scaffolding or a lift each time.
On a sheltered bungalow where you can reach every window from the ground and don't mind painting, good factory-finished timber is the cheaper choice and looks the same from inside.
Do alu-clad windows suit a period house?
Usually not as well as all-timber. On an older house, timber sliding sashes or slim timber casements are closer to the original windows, and the aluminium cover on alu-clad frames is hard to hide. If the house is a protected structure, talk to your council's conservation officer before you order anything.
Can you repaint alu-clad windows?
Inside, yes: lightly key the timber and repaint it any colour. Outside, the powder coat can be repainted, but it needs careful preparation and a paint system made for coated aluminium. It's a job for a specialist, not a quick touch-up. Most owners never need it: the coat stays in excellent condition for around 25 years.
What alu-clad windows cost in Ireland
Our supply-and-fit price guide per window, per square metre and for full retrofit or self-build house packages.
| Job | Typical cost | What moves the price |
|---|---|---|
| Standard alu-clad casement or tilt-and-turn window (triple glazed) | €1,100 to €2,000 per window | Uw 0.78–0.85 W/m²K · engineered Nordic pine + powder-coated alu |
| Large fixed picture or floor-to-ceiling alu-clad screen | €1,400 to €2,800 per opening | 44mm–52mm toughened triple unit · slim 55mm frame |
| Alu-clad lift-and-slide patio door (2.4m–3.6m) | €4,200 to €7,800 | Low-threshold fibreglass/aluminium track · up to 300kg sash gear |
| Alu-clad French patio doors or entrance door | €2,800 to €4,900 | Multi-point security locking · matching internal timber finish |
| 3-bed semi-detached full house (8–10 alu-clad windows) | €11,000 to €20,000 | After €3,000 SEAI grant (if pre-2011): €8,000 to €17,000 |
| 4-bed detached / self-build package (12–16 windows + sliding door) | €16,500 to €32,000 | After €4,000 SEAI retrofit grant: €12,500 to €28,000 |
| Solid European oak or ash interior upgrade (vs Nordic pine) | +18% to 25% | Clear-lacquered hardwood interior with extruded aluminium exterior |
| Per square metre installed (triple-glazed alu-clad) | €1,000 to €1,500 per m² | Includes airtightness tapes, compriband and 13.5% supply-and-fit VAT |
Real examples and installation detail
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Questions homeowners & self-builders ask
How much more do alu-clad windows cost than timber?
About 10% more for standard windows, and up to 30% for large or elaborate windows or premium makes. Supplied and fitted, an alu-clad window costs €1,100 to €2,000 and a 3-bed semi package €11,000 to €20,000.
How often do painted timber windows need repainting?
Every 5 to 12 years on the outside, depending on the paint system and how much sun and rain the wall gets. South- and west-facing windows and coastal sites need it soonest.
Do alu-clad windows rot?
Not when they are made and fitted properly. The aluminium is held clear of the timber with a ventilated gap, so rain runs off the metal and the wood stays dry. Rot starts where water sits against bare timber, which is why painted timber needs its paint kept up.
How long do alu-clad windows last compared with timber?
Alu-clad windows last around 40 years with the seals and opening gear looked after, and the powder coat stays in excellent condition for about 25 years. Painted timber lasts as long as the paint is kept up.
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