Replace Old Windows With Aluminium — Retrofit Guide

Replacing Old Windows With Aluminium Windows

Old wooden or iron windows can cause water leaks, let insects in, allow noise through, and push up your electricity bill. Switching to modern aluminium windows is the smart fix for homes across Malaysia, and it is one of the few renovation jobs that pays you back every single month through lower cooling costs and fewer repairs.

Most Malaysian homes built before the 2000s still carry their original timber casements or iron-framed naco (louvre) windows. After twenty or thirty years of monsoon rain, afternoon heat, and humidity that rarely drops below 70 percent, timber swells and rots while iron rusts from the inside out. Aluminium window frames do not absorb water, do not rust, and hold their shape through every wet season, which is why they have become the standard choice for renovation work from Johor to Penang.

Signs Your Windows Need Replacing

• Water leaks during heavy rain
• Hard to open or close because the frame has swollen or rusted
• Outside noise comes in easily
• Insects get in through the gaps
• Peeling paint or rotting wood
• Windows look worn out and spoil the look of your home

If you tick two or more of these, repairs are usually a waste of money. Repainting a rotting frame or re-oiling a rusted louvre mechanism buys a year at most. A retrofit to aluminium fixes every item on the list in one visit.

The Retrofit Process

Step 1: Survey and Measurement

The AluFrame team visits your home, measures every window, and discusses the options that suit you best. The site survey is free, and this is where we check whether the existing opening is square, whether the wall is brick or concrete, and whether your condo or strata management needs a colour or design approval before work starts.

Step 2: Remove the Old Windows

The old windows are removed carefully. The old frames are taken out and the openings are cleaned up. Removal of the old windows is included in every retrofit job, so you do not need to hire a separate contractor to strip them out.

Step 3: Install the New Aluminium Window Frames

The new aluminium window frames are fitted precisely. Gaps are filled with sealant to keep water and noise out. On older terrace houses the opening is rarely perfectly level, so the frame is packed and shimmed before it is anchored.

Step 4: Fit the Glass and Accessories

The glass goes in, followed by the handles, hinges, and locks. Standard 5mm glass is included in the unit price, and you can upgrade to tempered, tinted, or double-glazed glass from RM30 per unit.

Step 5: Testing and Clean-Up

Every window is tested to make sure it opens smoothly and is watertight and wind-tight. The work area is cleaned before we leave.

Retrofit Cost

Item	Estimated Cost
Removal of old windows	RM20-40/unit
New aluminium window	RM150-350/unit
Installation	RM50-80/unit
Total	RM220-470/unit

The unit price depends on the window type. A fixed panel starts from RM150, an aluminium sliding window from RM180, a louvre window from RM200, a casement from RM250, a powder-coated frame from RM280, and a grille window from RM320. Aluminium doors start from RM450 and bi-fold doors from RM800. For a full breakdown by type, see our aluminium window price guide for Malaysia.

Worked Example: A Double-Storey Terrace House

Take a typical double-storey terrace house in Selangor with 8 windows: 6 sliding windows for the bedrooms and living room, plus 2 casement windows for the kitchen and bathroom.

• 6 sliding windows at RM180 = RM1,080
• 2 casement windows at RM250 = RM500
• Removal of 8 old windows at RM20-40 = RM160-320
• Installation of 8 units at RM50-80 = RM400-640

That puts the whole retrofit at roughly RM2,140 to RM2,540 with standard 5mm clear glass. Adding tempered glass to the two upper-floor bedroom windows would add RM30-50 per unit, and choosing a powder-coated finish in one of our 20+ colours moves the frame price to RM280 per unit. Not sure whether sliding or casement suits each room? Our comparison of sliding versus casement aluminium windows walks through ventilation, security, and cost for each.

How Long Does It Take?

For a standard home (8-10 windows), the full process from survey to completion usually takes 7-10 working days. Most of that time is fabrication: your frames are cut and assembled to the exact measurements taken on survey day. The on-site installation itself takes just 1-2 days for 6-10 windows, so your home is not left open to the weather. We schedule installation to avoid the heaviest monsoon weeks where possible, and every window is sealed the same day it is fitted.

What to Check Before You Order

• Strata or management approval. Condos and gated communities often require frames to match an approved colour. Ask your management office before confirming a finish.
• Glass for upper floors. Tempered glass is worth the RM30-50 upgrade on any window a child can reach.
• Coastal locations. Homes in Penang, Melaka, Terengganu, or anywhere near the sea benefit from a powder-coated finish, which resists salt air far better than a plain mill finish.
• Warranty in writing. AluFrame profiles carry a 10-year warranty and accessories carry a 5-year warranty. Make sure any quote you compare states the same.
• Removal included. Confirm that old window removal is part of the price so there are no surprises on the day.

AluFrame installs across Peninsular and East Malaysia; check our service locations page to find your state.

Get Your Free Quote

Send us a photo of your existing windows and a rough count, and we will reply on WhatsApp with a quote within 24 hours. The site survey is free, removal is included, and your new aluminium windows are covered by a 10-year warranty on the profiles.

WhatsApp AluFrame for a free survey!