How to Read an Aluminium Window Quotation (Line by Line)

Most buyers lose money on a window project not at the negotiation table, but at the moment they *read* the quotation. Two quotes that look identical on the first page can be 30–40% apart in real cost once you know which lines to check. This guide walks through a typical aluminium window quotation line by line, so you can compare suppliers on equal terms and catch the gaps before they become change orders.

1. Start with the unit of measure

The single most common source of confusion is the unit. A quotation priced "per square metre" is not the same as one priced "per window" or "per square metre of frame".

Per m² of glazed area – measures the glass opening only.
Per m² of overall frame – includes the aluminium profile border, usually 8–15% larger.
Per unit – one window, any size.

Always rewrite every quote to the same basis before comparing. If one supplier quotes per unit and another per m², you are not comparing prices at all.

2. Profile system and wall thickness

The quotation should name the profile system (the aluminium extrusion series) and its wall thickness, measured in millimetres. For residential and light-commercial export work, a visible-wall thickness of 1.4–2.0 mm is the normal range.

Why it matters: a thinner wall saves the factory material cost but flexes more, seals worse, and shortens service life in wind or heat. If the quote just says "aluminium profile" with no series or thickness, treat it as a pricing placeholder, not a specification.

3. Thermal break — yes or no, and what grade

A thermal break is an insulated strip (usually polyamide) set inside the aluminium frame to stop heat moving through the metal. For any project in a climate with real summer heat or winter cold, specify it explicitly.

The quote should state:

Whether the break is present.
The break material (polyamide PA66GF25 is the export standard).
The resulting U-value (see section 6).

A price that looks low often simply omitted the thermal break. That is not a cheaper window — it is a different window.

4. Glazing configuration

Glazing is written as a sequence of layers and cavities, for example 6 mm glass + 12 mm argon gap + 6 mm glass (written 6/12A/6). The quotation should list:

Glass thickness per pane.
Cavity width and fill (air or argon).
Low-emissivity (Low-E) coating, yes/no.
Laminated or toughened (tempered) glass, and where.

For hurricane or security zones, laminated outer glass is often required by local code — a quote that says "toughened" but not "laminated" may fail inspection.

5. Hardware and brand

Hardware is where quality shows. The quote should name the lock, hinge and handle brand or at least the grade. Unknown or unbranded hardware is the usual reason a window feels cheap two years later.

Ask one question: "If this hardware fails, what is the replacement lead time?" A supplier who cannot answer has not thought about your building's second decade.

6. Performance values: U-value, SHGC, acoustic rating

These three numbers decide whether the window performs:

U-value (W/m²K) – heat transfer. Lower is better. For export thermal-break units, expect roughly 1.8–2.6 W/m²K depending on glazing.
SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient) – how much sun heat passes through. Lower keeps interiors cool.
Rw (acoustic) – sound reduction in decibels.

A quotation without these values is a price, not a specification. Request the tested values, not the catalogue claim.

7. Surface treatment and warranty

Powder-coating is the standard finish. The quote should state the coating standard (e.g. Qualicoat) and film thickness (typically 60–80 microns). Colour fade in coastal or sunny climates tracks directly to this line.

Warranty should be split: profile warranty (often 10–15 years) and hardware/seal warranty (often 1–3 years). A single "10-year warranty" with no split is a red flag.

8. What is NOT in the quote

Read the exclusions as carefully as the inclusions:

Does the price include packaging for export (wooden crate / foam)?
Does it include glazing supplied loose or pre-glazed?
Are screens, insect mesh, or blinds included?
Is freight, insurance, and destination handling included, or is this EXW/FOB only?

A low headline number that excludes crating and pre-glazing is not cheap — it is incomplete.

9. Certification matched to your country

The quotation is only valid for your market if the window is certified for it. For Australia and New Zealand that means AS 2047; for Canada, CSA Group; for the EU, CE. If the quote does not name the standard your project must meet, the number is meaningless for compliance.

See our certification page for the specific licence and report numbers we hold: EBON certifications.

10. A simple comparison checklist

Before you pick a supplier, put every quote on one sheet with these columns:

Line	Supplier A	Supplier B	Supplier C
Unit basis
Profile / wall mm
Thermal break
Glazing config
Hardware brand
U-value (tested)
Coating standard
Warranty split
Crating included
Certification

If a supplier cannot fill a column, that is your answer about that column.

Get a quotation you can actually compare. Send your window schedule, drawings or a list of sizes to [email protected] or use the enquiry form. We return a line-by-line quotation within one working day, with the certifications matched to your country.