SEAI grants and 13.5% VAT on alu-clad windows
Replacing old windows in a pre-2011 Irish home with triple-glazed alu-clad windows (Uw 0.78–0.85 W/m²K) qualifies for the 2026 SEAI Windows Grant of €4,000 (detached), €3,000 (semi-D), €1,800 (mid-terrace) or €1,500 (apartment), plus €800 per door. On both new self-builds and retrofits, having the specialist supply and fit the windows charges VAT at 13.5% instead of 23%.
How to structure your alu-clad window contract for a new self-build or a pre-2011 SEAI deep retrofit.
Free, no obligation. One vetted alu-clad window specialist covering your county replies.
Calculate your alu-clad window package cost
Pick the interior timber finish, your approximate package size, and whether your project is a new self-build or a pre-2011 SEAI grant retrofit.
Estimated supply & fit guide
€8,000 to €17,000 after €3,000 grant
Gross price: €11,000 to €20,000 · SEAI Windows Grant: −€3,000
Guide price of €11,000 to €20,000 for a 10-window 3-bed semi-detached house package (factory-painted engineered Nordic pine inside and powder-coated RAL aluminium outside), less the €3,000 2026 SEAI Windows Grant for pre-2011 homes meeting the BER Heat Loss Indicator threshold.
Request a written quote2026 SEAI Windows & Doors Grant for pre-2011 homes
| Home type (built & occupied pre-2011) | SEAI Windows Grant | SEAI Doors Grant (up to 2) | Combined window + 2 door grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached house | €4,000 | €1,600 (€800 × 2) | €5,600 |
| Semi-detached or end-of-terrace | €3,000 | €1,600 (€800 × 2) | €4,600 |
| Mid-terrace house | €1,800 | €1,600 (€800 × 2) | €3,400 |
| Apartment | €1,500 | €1,600 (€800 × 2) | €3,100 |
Because triple-glazed alu-clad windows achieve Uw 0.78–0.85 W/m²K (well below SEAI's 1.4 W/m²K maximum), they contribute strongly toward passing the BER Heat Loss Indicator (HLI) test. See windowgrants.ie for full application steps.
Why supply-and-fit saves self-builders 9.5% in VAT
On a one-off Irish self-build or major extension where the alu-clad window package costs €20,000 to €30,000 before tax, the VAT rate makes a huge difference (remember: you cannot reclaim VAT on construction materials in a standard residential self-build):
- Supply-only import (23% VAT): If you buy windows supply-only from a factory or merchant and pay a local carpenter separately to fit them, the windows are taxed as building materials at 23% VAT.
- Supply-and-fit contract (13.5% VAT): When an Irish alu-clad specialist supplies and installs the windows and doors under a single supply-and-fit contract (meeting Revenue's fixtures and two-thirds rules), the entire invoice is taxed at 13.5% VAT—saving around €1,900 on a €20,000 net window package and placing full warranty responsibility for both frames and airtight fitting on one company.
Real examples and installation detail
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Questions homeowners & self-builders ask
Can I get an SEAI grant for alu-clad windows on a new self-build?
No. SEAI energy upgrade grants are exclusively for existing homes built and occupied before 2011. New self-builds must meet Part L NZEB standards from day one, where 0.78 W/m²K triple-glazed alu-clad windows help achieve an A1 or A2 BER.
What certification documents should I get with alu-clad windows for my BER assessor?
Your supplier should hand over the Declaration of Performance (DoP), CE marking, and window schedule listing the certified EN ISO 10077-1 whole-window U-value (Uw) and solar factor (g-value) for every opening so your BER assessor doesn't have to use punitive default DEAP values.
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