How Much Does Glass and Glazing Cost?

Last Updated Apr 12, 2016 · Written by Craig Gibson

Glass|Renovation Costs

Every home needs glass windows and most homes have a few glass doors as well. We take them for granted until they need replacing and we realise glass and glazing comes at a price. How much does glass and glazing cost? It depends on a number of factors.

This article will help you:

• work out the different types of glass on the market
• how much your project may cost
• what jobs a glazier can do
  

What do glaziers do?

Of course, glaziers do much more than just replace broken window glass. Some other jobs a glazier might do for you include:

• Installing and replacing glass furniture parts (such as a glass-top table)
• Installing and repairing glass shower screens
• Cutting glass to suit your requirements
• Weatherproofing glass joints
• Re-glazing existing windows and doors

^{A glass splashback is an attractive feature and easy to clean. © Lawrence Leadlights}

Types of glass

There is more to glass than meets the eye. Manufacturing techniques are used to produce glass with different features at varying price points. You should carefully consider which glass best fits your needs.

Sheet glass: this is the most common glass used in standard windows, and has a slight green colour tinge to it.

Float glass: this is another common glass used in window glass, but is transparent and totally colourless.

Laminated glass: this is a type of safety glass, with a flexible interlayer sandwiched between two sheets of glass that prevents it shattering.

Toughened glass: otherwise known as tempered glass, this glass is manufactured to produce a product that is four to five times stronger than standard glass, which does not shatter if it is broken. It is typically used for kitchen splashbacks where heat resistance and durability are important.

Double glazing: otherwise known as insulating glass, it consists of two panes of glass with a space or gap in between that provides some measure of noise proofing and insulation.

Low emission: low-e glass has thermal properties from a special transparent layer that filters infrared radiation, helping to keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer.


^{Standard glass often has a green tinge to it when viewed on its edge.}

Does my glazier need to be licensed?

It depends where you live - not all states require glaziers to be licensed.

In NSW glaziers are defined as anyone, “installing glass or similar materials in windows, door panels or screens”, and are required to be licensed.
It is worth checking to see if your glazier is a member of a trade organisation such as the Glass and Glazing Association of Australia (GGAA).

Members are more likely to be up to date with the latest developments in the industry. It is also worth noting that all glazing installed in your home needs to meet the relevant Australian Safety Standards - AS1288 and AS2208 - which govern which windows and doors are required to be glazed with safety glass.

Not all states require glaziers to be licensed - check first where you live before you hire

Hiring a glazier

When it comes time to hiring a glazier make sure they are right for your job. Some questions to ask then include:

• Are you licensed?
• Are you insured to work in my home?
• Can you provide a written quote?
• Do you have references I can follow up?

How much does a glazier cost?*

So how much will a glazier cost you?

During normal working hours, glaziers charge between $60 and $80 per hour plus the cost of glass and other materials, if needed.

They will probably charge a minimum fee for coming to your home and doing a small job. On average, repairs for a single pane of window glass (standard float) will cost in the region of $100-$150.

If you have to call a 24 hour emergency service, they might charge $150 or more to come to your home and make a temporary repair until they can return during working hours and replace your glass at their normal rate.


^{Only a single pane of glass needs to be replaced in this window.}

How much does glass cost?

It depends what type of glass you need. Expect to pay from:

• $38 per square metre for float glass
• $145 per square metre for low iron glass
• $220 per square metre for low emission glass
• $200 per square metre for double-glazed glass
• $320 per square metre for laminated glass

How much does window repair cost?

If it is not an emergency, a number of factors can influence the cost of a window repair:

• The size of the pane of glass is the most obvious cost determinant, but is actually the least important. Always replace glass with safety glass that at a minimum complies with Australian Standards for window glass. Laminated or toughened glass will minimise the danger of having a major accident in the future.
• It is more expensive to have glass replaced on older timber framed windows than aluminium windows because more work is involved. The old putty and glazier's points have to be removed first and then replaced with the new glass.
• When glaziers replace glass on old sash or double hung timber framed windows, they often find other problems that need to be addressed. One of the most common problems is rotting timber. In some cases, the window can be repaired on site, but in other instances, they may need to take it away and repair it in their workshop or replace the entire window.
• If a window is sticking in its frame, it could be for a number of reasons. In a best case scenario, it will be a minor problem that can be fixed easily. In a worst case scenario, the window and frame will need to be removed and replaced.

If a window pane breaks, you probably won't have to replace the window frame, but will need a glazier to come out and replace the glass.

Always replace glass with a product that complies with Australian Standards for window glass

24/7 emergency glass repairs

There are many instances when you may need an emergency glass repair service. These include damage as a result of:

• storm damage
• accidental breakages
• house break-ins

Whatever the issue, an emergency glass repair service can usually come out to immediately and repair the problem, though there is likely to be an additional cost for this. Glaziers typically charge around $50 to $80 per hour for their services. When emergency repairs are needed, the price can jump to as much as $150 per hour.


^{Storm damage is often the cause of window breakages.}

Double glazing and low-e glass cost more, but can save up to 25 percent on your energy bills

Installing new windows for energy-efficiency

Many homeowners are having their windows replaced or re-glazed to improve energy-efficiency and make their homes more comfortable. While double glazing and low-e glass cost more, they can save up to 25 percent on your energy consumption and bills. If your window frames are in good condition, hiring a glazier to install more energy-efficient glass, or a sheet of glass on the inside can be more cost-effective than replacing your windows.


^{A glazier can help replace your old windows with energy efficient versions.}

If you're considering having a glazier retro-fit your existing windows, get quotes for the full job rather than doing it piecemeal. Glaziers charge more for small jobs because they have to take travel and set-up time into account. The average cost for a larger project is around $3500 to $5000. This can be less than the cost of replacing your windows and less messy, too.

Some glaziers offer a frameless secondary double glazing system; this system works by installing an 8mm thick frameless glass pane on the inside of existing window frames. A good option for those who don’t want to rip out existing windows or incur the expense of replacing an entire window.

Read: How much are double-glazed windows?

How much is a glass splashback?

A standard section of glass for a splashback is relatively inexpensive. It is the custom cutouts which add to the cost. Expect to pay:

• $450 to $500 per square metre for 6mm toughened glass (supply only).

Your glass splashback also needs to comply with the relevant Australian Standard, AS1288.

How much is a glass shower screen?

Semi-frameless glass shower screens are considerably cheaper that frameless versions. This is due to frameless glass needing to be thicker for stability. Expect to pay in the region of:

• $1,500 for a custom made frameless shower screen (860mm x 900mm)

The best way of finding out the cost of your glazing job is to get quotes from local glaziers. This will give you a sense of what market rates currently are.

* All the costs and prices quoted were sourced at the time this article was written. They are indicative, may vary locally, are subject to market forces and should only be used as a guide.