Kirkwall · Highlands & Islands
Aluminium Windows in Kirkwall
Aluminium windows in Kirkwall give slimmer frames and more glass than most alternatives, and our glaziers survey every opening before you receive a fixed written quote.
- KW15
- Guide from £925
Aluminium windows across Kirkwall
Steel-look aluminium windows reproduce the slim frames and glazing bars of traditional metal windows while adding a thermal break and double glazing. They are often chosen to replace failing original steel windows in 1930s houses, though conservation areas and listed buildings may need consent for the change.
Aluminium is strong enough to hold large, heavy glass units in narrow frames, so sightlines are slimmer than uPVC of the same size. That means more glass and more daylight from the same opening, which suits modern extensions, wide picture windows and slim replacements for old steel windows.
Aluminium windows are fabricated to order: profiles are cut, coated, assembled and glazed to the survey sizes. Lead times can be longer than for standard white uPVC, particularly for special colours or steel-look designs, and the expected timescale is confirmed in writing when you accept the quote.
Aluminium frames are usually finished with polyester powder coating, baked on at the factory in a choice of RAL colours and in matt, satin or textured finishes. Dual-colour frames are possible, such as anthracite grey outside and white inside, so the windows can suit both the street and the room.
Included as standard
- Removal and disposal of the existing windows
- Thermally broken aluminium frames powder coated to order
- Written guarantee terms and advice on building regulations sign-off
- Survey, measuring and structural check of each opening
Local details for Kirkwall
- Postcodes covered
- KW15 and the surrounding area, including Thurso
- Coast
- Kirkwall is about 2 km from the coast or a tidal estuary, so salt air and wind-driven rain are worth planning for. Salt air attacks metal finishes, so aluminium windows near the coast need a coating and pretreatment suited to marine exposure, stainless or protected hardware, and more frequent washing. Check that the coating terms allow for a coastal site before ordering.
- Daylight and sun
- In Kirkwall the midwinter sun reaches about 8° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 5.8 hours of daylight, rising to about 54° and 18.2 hours in midsummer. Slim aluminium frames let more daylight through the same opening. Large south or west-facing panes can overheat rooms, so solar-control glass may help, while north-facing rooms benefit from high light-transmission low-E glass that keeps heat in during short winter days.
- Access and setting
- Rural homes often mix old stone walls with modern extensions, and aluminium suits both when profiles are chosen carefully. Irregular openings are measured individually, and exposed sites benefit from systems with high weather ratings and well-sealed joints against driving rain.
- Rules in Scotland
- Section 4 (Safety) of the Scottish Technical Handbooks covers glazing that people could collide with, such as glass in and beside doors and low-level glazing, where safety glass is needed.
Guide prices in Kirkwall
| Typical job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Casement window, 900 × 1050 mm | £925 – £1,195 |
| Casement window, 1200 × 1200 mm | £1,095 – £1,395 |
| Large window, 1800 × 1500 mm | £1,495 – £1,995 |
| Slimline heritage style, 1200 × 1200 mm | £1,295 – £1,695 |
Get a guide price for your size
Section 3 of the Scottish Technical Handbooks covers ventilation, so replacement windows should keep adequate trickle or background ventilation.
What you can choose
Flush casement
Sashes sit level with the outer frame for a clean, timber-like look, often chosen for period-style or contemporary homes.
Glass upgrades
Triple glazing, laminated acoustic glass, solar-control coatings or obscure glass, chosen per window to suit the room and elevation.
Dual-colour powder coat
A different colour inside and out, such as anthracite grey outside with white inside, from a wide range of RAL colours and textures.
Aluminium Windows in Kirkwall: questions
What colours can aluminium windows be?
Aluminium windows can be powder coated in almost any RAL colour, in matt, satin, gloss or textured finishes, and many systems offer a different colour on each side. Anthracite grey, black and white are common choices, but heritage greens, creams and bronze tones are available too. Special colours can extend the manufacturing lead time, which is confirmed with the quote.
How do I look after powder-coated aluminium windows?
Clean powder-coated aluminium windows with warm water and a mild, non-abrasive detergent a few times a year, then rinse and dry. Avoid scouring pads, solvents and pressure washers close to the seals. Keep drainage slots clear and put a little light oil on hinges and locking points. Near the coast, more frequent washing removes salt deposits.
Are aluminium windows better than uPVC?
Neither is better for every home; they suit different priorities. Aluminium gives slimmer frames, larger glass areas, a hard-wearing powder-coated finish and a wide colour choice. uPVC usually costs less and has chunkier frames. Both can meet the energy standard for replacement windows when specified correctly, so compare the certified ratings, the look you want and the guide prices.
How much do aluminium windows cost?
The cost of aluminium windows depends on the number and size of windows, the profile system, how many sashes open, the colour and finish, the glass and the access. They generally cost more than equivalent uPVC because of the material and factory coating. See the guide prices for typical ranges; the written quote fixes the price for your exact specification.
Do you cover Kirkwall for aluminium windows?
Yes. We can quote for aluminium windows across Kirkwall and the surrounding Highlands & Islands area, including postcode districts KW15, and nearby Thurso. Start with your postcode on the quote form and a glazier will arrange a free survey before giving you a written quote.
Get a written quote in Kirkwall
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.