How much does it cost to replace windows in 2026
Real prices, per m², by window type and by project, what's included, what isn't, and what to watch for before you sign.
The price per square metre
In PVC, a made-to-measure installation, with fitting and warranty included, falls between €120 and €300 per m², with most standard renovation projects landing around €180-220 per m²: that's the realistic average for a typical home, not the entry price or the top of the range.
In thermal-break aluminium (the correct option for an occupied home, see why in the PVC vs aluminium guide), the price varies more than in PVC: entry-level systems run about 30-40% above the equivalent PVC, but premium slim-line profiles can cost 2-3 times more. The difference lies mainly in the profile width and the thermal-break system, the slimmer the visible frame, the more expensive the system.
Price by window type (PVC, white, double Low-E glass)
| Simple casement (1 sash), ~0.6 × 1.2 m | €150-220 |
| Tilt-and-turn (1 sash), ~0.9 × 1.2 m | €220-320 |
| Tilt-and-turn (2 sashes), ~1.2 × 1.4 m | €350-520 |
| Sliding (2 sashes), ~1.5 × 1.2 m | €300-450 |
| Balcony door, ~0.9 × 2.2 m | €400-650 |
| Large sliding door (4 sashes), ~2.4 × 2.0 m | €700-1,100 |
Indicative figures, with installation included. Anthracite or wood-effect finish: +15-30%. Acoustic glass: +€40-100 per window (estimate; ask for the exact figure. It isn't a standardised extra in the market). Triple glazing: +€150-250 per window.
Profile systems, brand by brand
A good part of the price difference between "PVC" quotes lies in the profile system behind it, not everything is equal just because it's white and has two panes of glass. The systems most cited by installers in Portugal are grouped by their number of internal chambers and thickness, which determines the Uf (the frame's own thermal insulation, separate from the glass):
Uf ≈ 1.30 W/m²K: the typical starting point on a renovation project.
Uf ≈ 1.30 W/m²K: one of the systems most cited by installers in Portugal.
Uf ≈ 1.10 W/m²K: better insulation than the 70 mm systems, at an intermediate price.
Uf ≈ 0.88 W/m²K.
Uw for the complete window from as low as ~0.66-0.73 W/m²K on some systems, compatible with Passivhaus standards. This is where the market’s highest prices come in.
Bar = the frame's thermal insulation (the fuller the bar, the lower the Uf and the better the insulation). Frame-only Uf confirmed for the systems listed above; other models from the same brand may only publish the complete window's Uw. A serious quote should state the exact system/model, not just "quality PVC".
Not sure which system makes sense for your home?
We'll point you to the right system: not more, not less, in your personalised estimate.
Price by project (full apartment)
| 2-bedroom flat (5-7 windows, ~10 m²) | €1,800-3,200 |
| 3-bedroom flat (7-10 windows, ~16 m²) | €2,500-4,500 |
Projects with more windows tend to get a volume discount, fixed costs (travel, setup) spread over more units, and standardised sizes work out cheaper than every window being a different measurement.
Calculate my estimate →Living in the capital? See reference prices and examples by parish on our PVC windows in Lisbon page.
Real example: a full 3-bedroom flat, line by line
To make this concrete: a typical 3-bedroom flat with 8 two-sash tilt-and-turn windows and 1 balcony door, all in white PVC with double Low-E glass and argon fill, usually comes out like this:
| 8 tilt-and-turn windows (2 sashes), white, Low-E + argon | ~€2,960 |
| 1 balcony door, white | ~€520 |
| Removal of the old frames (9 openings × €30) | €270 |
| Subtotal | €3,750 |
| VAT (6% on labour, verba 2.27: materials already include 23%) | included in the final price |
This example falls within the €2,500-4,500 range given for a 3-bedroom flat in the per-project table above. It sits in the lower third because it uses the entry-level system (5 chambers) and white colour. Switching to anthracite or a premium 6-7 chamber system would raise this figure according to the surcharges given in the sections above.
Where the money goes: the real price breakdown
Not everything is usually included in the window price. Check these points in your quote:
- Removal of the old frame: often already included in the price; some installers charge separately, between €20 and 50 per window, confirm which applies in your quote.
- Scaffolding or special access: only relevant on upper floors without a balcony or easy access.
- Finishing work (trims, plastering, painting around the new frame): usually a separate line, not included in the window price.
- Waste removal (construction debris): rarely relevant for a handful of windows; it matters more on a full apartment renovation.
In our case, so you don't have to ask: removing the old frame, making good around the opening and taking away the waste are all in the price. The only thing left out is special access (scaffolding on upper floors without a balcony), confirmed at the measurement. You can see the price with all of that included in the calculator.
If you're comparing more than one quote, see also our guide on how to compare window quotes: a price difference almost always hides a specification difference.
What makes the price go up or down
- Size: small windows cost more per m² (installation has a fixed cost, regardless of size).
- Opening type: sliding windows and balcony doors cost more than a simple casement window.
- Glass: Low-E is the starting point; acoustic and triple glazing cost more, but solve specific problems, see the acoustic glass and Low-E glass guides.
- Colour: white is the most economical; anthracite and wood-effect finishes carry a surcharge.
- Material: PVC is the baseline; thermal-break aluminium is the premium option, for large openings or design.
The cost of not replacing
A single-glazed window lets an average of about 1,000 kWh a year escape in heat loss; double glazing cuts that loss to around 650 kWh: a saving of roughly 35%. ADENE states that double glazing cuts heat loss through windows to almost half compared with single glazing. Worked out at an average residential electricity price in Portugal, that can represent a saving in the order of €60-70 a year, per window: an illustrative calculation from the kWh saved, not a guarantee, but it gives a real sense that the cost of not replacing exists too, just spread thinly across the monthly bill.
ADENE has its own energy label for windows (Classe+, from F to A+) that helps compare the efficiency of different solutions — we explain it in our window energy ratings guide.
How much are you losing per year with your current windows?
Tell us how many windows you have and which area you live in. We'll give you a number, not a "it depends".
Warranties: what's normal to expect
Branded profiles usually carry long warranties: 10 years on white PVC profile is common (sometimes 5 years on colours, due to the higher finishing demands), and branded aluminium profiles also reach 10 years. Branded hardware (locks, hinges) typically carries around 10 years of warranty on the mechanism itself.
The minimum material warranty should not be less than 3 years: that's the common baseline in the trade. But note: CE marking and the profile manufacturer's warranty cover the product, not the quality of the installation. The installation warranty is a separate commitment from the installer, and should be written into your quote or contract.
What to watch for before you sign
Get at least 3 quotes
For the same specifications (type, glass, colour). Compare the itemised breakdown, not just the total.
Be wary of prices well below market
A price much lower than the others usually hides something: a profile without Class A certification, weaker glass, or installation subcontracted with no one directly accountable.
Confirm who installs it
The company’s own team, or a subcontractor? The quality of the fitting matters as much as the quality of the window.
Get dates in writing
Manufacturing lead time and installation date, in the quote or contract, not just “around” a date.
Confirm the minimum warranty
The commercial warranty on materials should never be less than 3 years. Also ask about the installation warranty, which is separate from the profile manufacturer’s warranty.
Never pay more than 50% upfront
A deposit above half the total value before any work has started, with nothing done yet, is a recognised warning sign in the construction and renovation trade.
Frequently asked questions about prices
Yes, in the per-type and per-project figures above: manufacturing, transport, installation, perimeter sealing and hardware adjustment. Removal of the old frame varies by installer. It may be included or charged separately (€20-50 per window). Always confirm this in your quote.
Yes. Anthracite or wood-effect finishes typically cost 15-30% more than white, because the profile is laminated with an extra film. Manufacturing also takes longer: 6-8 weeks, versus 3-4 weeks for white.
There’s a 6% rate (verba 2.27 of List I of the Portuguese VAT Code) for renovation, refurbishment or repair works on housing, as long as the materials supplied by the contractor don’t exceed 20% of the total contract value, above that threshold, only the materials portion pays 23%, while labour stays at 6%. There’s no explicit legal requirement that the “home must be more than 2 years old”; that’s a common simplification that doesn’t actually appear in the law. A new 2026 law (Lei 9-A/2026) creates a separate 6% rate, but it applies to new construction or refurbishment for sale or rent at moderate prices. It doesn’t apply to a homeowner replacing the windows in their own house.
Yes, for a comparable window with a thermal break (the correct option for a home). The gap varies a lot depending on the system: entry-level runs about 30-40% above PVC, but premium systems with very slim profiles can cost 2-3 times more. It’s worth it for large openings, sliding doors, or exposure to the sea, see the full comparison before deciding.
Mainly the number of internal chambers in the profile and the overall thickness. A 70 mm system with 5 chambers (the most common on renovation projects) has a Uf (the frame’s own insulation) around 1.30 W/m²K. A premium 82-86 mm system with 6-7 chambers can bring the complete window’s Uw down to 0.66-0.73 W/m²K, almost half the heat loss. The difference is most noticeable on façades heavily exposed to cold or wind, rather than in a well-sheltered room.
Yes, for a full apartment project it’s common and usually pays off. For a project of around €3,000, the estimated instalment is around €96-98/month over 36 months, or €63-65/month over 60 months. This calculation uses the rates published by Cofidis (TAN 9.90%) and Cetelem (TAN 10.90%). It isn’t an official example from either bank, so the final simulation with the lender may vary. Always compare the APR (which includes fees) with the total cost of credit before deciding.
Occasional promotions do exist, but they rarely make up for putting off a cold home for another winter, the cost of the energy lost in the meantime (see the section above) is already a real loss on its own. If budget is tight, financing (see the previous question) usually works out cheaper overall than waiting a year with old windows.
Line up all three in a simple table: same glass type (Low-E + argon, at minimum), same colour, labour vs materials broken down separately, manufacturing lead time in writing, and a minimum material warranty (never less than 3 years). A quote without that breakdown, just a final number, makes it hard to see where you’re saving or overpaying.
There is currently no direct, general support programme specifically for replacing windows in a primary residence. There have been occasional, broader-scope energy-efficiency grants in the past (not specific to windows); always check the Fundo Ambiental website for an active scheme before counting on that figure in your budget. We don’t include hypothetical grants in our estimates.
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