ᐅ Price Differences for Windows and Doors

Hans-Maulwurf schrieb:
Rebated doors should be more expensive due to the manufacturing effort.

It’s the same with the plot. But non-rebated doors are not standard, so they’re more of a custom order, which makes them somewhat more expensive. However, the price difference mainly comes from the hinges.

Non-rebated doors are usually installed with concealed hinges, for example TECTUS from Simonswerk, which are quite costly. Add a magnetic latch lock, and the door becomes quite expensive overall.

I think doubling the price is exaggerated. In recent years, I’ve paid a 30-40% premium (once from a carpenter and once from a Czech manufacturer—both to my satisfaction).

Personally, I think the look is worth it. ;-)

Hans-Maulwurf schrieb:
- Plastic windows to aluminum windows

It varies a lot, depending on perspective. The type of builder with a "price-conscious" self-image often doesn’t shy away from discount retailers, where the price difference for plastic windows can be close to 50%. For professional companies, plastic windows are more like 80% of the price and, in my opinion, are only cheaper than aluminum if you look at it superficially, since aluminum windows have a much longer replacement cycle. I used to manufacture aluminum windows and don’t mind being considered biased because of that. Personally, I would never choose plastic windows for owner-occupied properties, but I’m happy to let every “bargain hunter” have their plastic if it makes them happy. For a typical middle-income homeowner’s house — more on the cozy side, not luxury — “plastic is sufficient” is probably the general reality, but even there, I would use aluminum for the front door (not side or back doors) and for lift-and-slide elements longer than 4m (13 feet) wide, as well as always for folding sliding elements.

Read what else I write here, consider me reasonable and do the same, or think I’m odd and do it differently :-)

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When we were still searching for a general contractor (GC) to build our house, we contacted a variety of companies. None of these GCs offered aluminum windows as part of their standard build package, not even the higher-priced ones.

Regarding front doors, companies in the mid-price range did offer aluminum doors as standard, but with pricing systems that only allowed a very limited selection of doors without additional costs.

Considering the lifespan of a window, aluminum might actually be more cost-effective, but the initial extra expenses have to be managed at a time when funds are often tight.

dhd82 schrieb:
Looking at the lifespan of a window, aluminum might actually be more cost-effective, but the initial extra costs need to be covered at a time when you might not have extra money available.

Yes, we have had some clients who only switched to aluminum during their first replacement—around the time their mortgage was paid off. Before that, they had a mix of half plastic (uPVC) and half wood.

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Hmm, from 1997 to 2016 we had a terraced house with plastic windows, all of which were still in good condition. They were double-glazed. How long is the typical replacement cycle for aluminum versus PVC windows? I mean, you have to live long enough to see that. And what usually causes a PVC window to fail? You can replace the handle or a hinge, or even a rubber seal. Karsten

Nordlys schrieb:
And what causes a PVC window to break?

Broken in the sense of cracking? No, not really. A common reason for replacement is cosmetic aging signs – and sellers often don’t mention that rubber seals can be replaced individually and opening mechanisms can be adjusted.

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