If you’re renovating in the Northern Rivers and looking for ways to modernise your home, one question often comes up: Should I repaint or replace my aluminium windows?
The truth is, you’re not alone — it’s one of the most common questions we get. Aluminium windows are tough, long-lasting, and built to handle the harsh Australian climate. But after years of sun, salt, and rain, even the best frames can look tired or dated.
That’s where the choice between spray painting aluminium windows and replacing aluminium windows becomes important. Both options have their place, but depending on your situation, one could save you thousands while still giving your home that “brand new” look.
Let’s break down what each involves, what it costs, and why an Aluminium Window Frame Respray is often the smartest move for Northern Rivers homeowners.
Why Aluminium Windows Age Over Time
Aluminium is one of the most durable materials used in home construction, but it’s not immune to wear. Coastal areas like Byron Bay, Ballina, and Pottsville are especially hard on frames due to salt air and humidity. Over time, paint can fade, oxidise, or peel, leaving the windows looking dull and worn.
Inland towns like Lismore, Goonellabah, and Alstonville see more temperature fluctuations, which can also affect coatings over the years. The good news? The underlying aluminium is almost always structurally fine — meaning replacement usually isn’t necessary.
The Case for Spray Painting Aluminium Windows
Choosing spray painting aluminium windows means keeping your existing frames and giving them a professional, long-lasting respray. It’s not just a cosmetic upgrade — it’s a full restoration.
Here’s how it works in practice:
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Preparation: We remove the moving parts and hardware, including rollers and handles.
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Cleaning & Sanding: The surface is cleaned, sanded, and smoothed to remove oxidation and imperfections.
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Masking: All glass, seals, and surrounding areas are carefully masked with plastic and tape to avoid overspray.
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Etch Priming: We apply an industrial-grade etch primer, which helps the new paint bond tightly to the aluminium surface.
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Spray Coating: Multiple coats of premium acrylic lacquer — the same quality used on automotive finishes — are sprayed for a smooth, even, durable result.
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Reassembly & Cleanup: Once dry, everything is reassembled with new rollers and seals, and the site is left spotless.
This process is known as an Aluminium Window Frame Respray, and it’s all done on-site, meaning minimal disruption to your home.
The Cost Comparison
Replacing your windows isn’t cheap. Depending on the size of your home, material choice, and installation complexity, you could be looking at anywhere from $15,000 to $40,000 for a full window replacement.
In comparison, spray painting aluminium windows costs just a fraction of that — often 60–80% less. You’ll still get the same visual transformation, but without the demolition, dust, or disruption.
And because aluminium frames are designed to last for decades, there’s rarely any reason to replace them unless they’re physically damaged or warped.
The Environmental Benefits
Choosing an Aluminium Window Frame Respray over replacement also has big environmental advantages. Every year, tonnes of perfectly good aluminium frames end up in landfill simply because homeowners didn’t realise they could be repainted.
By restoring your windows instead of replacing them, you:
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Reduce waste and landfill impact
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Lower your carbon footprint (less manufacturing and transport)
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Keep valuable materials in use for decades longer
For many of our customers in the Northern Rivers — especially those passionate about sustainable living — repainting fits perfectly with their eco-conscious lifestyle.
Durability and Finish
A common question we hear is: “How long will it last?”
The short answer: a long time.
A professionally applied Aluminium Window Frame Respray typically lasts 10–15 years, depending on your home’s exposure to sun and salt air. Every job comes with a 7-year warranty, but we’ve revisited homes more than a decade later where the windows still looked freshly painted.
That’s because we use high-quality, UV-resistant paints formulated for Australian conditions. These coatings resist fading, cracking, and peeling — even in tough coastal climates like Byron Bay or Kingscliff.
Visual Transformation
The difference after spray painting aluminium windows is dramatic. Many homeowners are shocked by just how much of a facelift their home gets. Those old cream or bronze frames from the 1990s? Replaced with sleek black, charcoal, or crisp white finishes that completely modernise the façade.
In areas like Lennox Head, Wollongbar, and Alstonville, where many homes have sturdy but outdated frames, this simple change adds instant curb appeal — often increasing property value in the process.
If you’re planning to sell, repainting is one of the smartest upgrades you can make. It signals that your home has been well cared for and reduces the buyer’s perceived “to-do” list.
When Replacement Might Still Be the Right Choice
Now, repainting isn’t always the answer. In some cases, replacing aluminium windows may be necessary — particularly if:
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The aluminium is bent, warped, or corroded beyond repair
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The glass or seals are damaged
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You’re doing a major renovation requiring structural changes to the window openings
If that’s your situation, replacement might make sense. But if your frames are simply faded or outdated, you’ll get nearly identical results from a spray painting aluminium windows service — at a much lower cost and with less mess.
Time and Disruption
One of the biggest advantages of an Aluminium Window Frame Respray is how quickly it can be done. Most projects are completed in just a few days, depending on the number of windows.
There’s no need to remove walls, replace trim, or clean up after builders. The entire process happens on-site, and we take great care to protect your glass, walls, and floors from any overspray.
Homeowners love that they can continue living in their home while the work happens — with minimal disruption and no downtime.
Why It’s the Preferred Option for Northern Rivers Homeowners
In the Northern Rivers, we see a mix of older coastal homes and modern builds. Many of these have solid aluminium frames that are still in excellent condition.
For these homeowners, repainting is the ideal balance of value, sustainability, and visual transformation. You get the “new build” aesthetic without paying new build prices.
Whether you’re in Lennox Head, Ballina, Byron Bay, or Tweed Heads, the coastal weather doesn’t have to mean faded, chalky frames. A professional respray restores your windows’ original lustre and adds long-term protection against the elements.
Common Questions Homeowners Ask
1. Can any aluminium window be repainted?
Almost all can, as long as the frame is structurally sound. We’ll always assess your frames before recommending a repaint.
2. How long does it take to complete?
Most homes are done in under a week. We work efficiently and ensure every surface is properly prepped and coated.
3. Will it look like a factory finish?
Yes. With the right primer and paint, your frames will have the same smooth, durable finish as brand-new windows.
4. What colours can I choose?
We can match almost any colour — from classic black and white to modern greys and earthy tones that suit Northern Rivers homes.
5. How long will it last?
It depends on the exposure your windows receive but we have seen our work still looking fresh after 15 years, all of our resprays come with a 7-year warranty for peace of mind.
The Bottom Line
When comparing spray painting aluminium windows and replacing aluminium windows, the choice comes down to budget, sustainability, and condition.
For most homeowners in the Northern Rivers, an Aluminium Window Frame Respray delivers the same high-end look as new frames, for a fraction of the cost — all while being faster, cleaner, and more eco-friendly.
So before you start pricing replacements, talk to us about repainting. It’s the smart, sustainable way to make your home look brand new again — without breaking the bank.
