Industry Insights | Aurae Australia

How much do aluminium louvres cost in Australia?

Written by Mitchell Stewart | Jul 2, 2025 3:18:12 AM

"We love the look of louvres, but what are we actually looking at cost-wise?"

It's a question that lands in our inbox regularly, whether from architects finalising project budgets or Quantity Surveyors looking at project feasibility. Australian louvre pricing can seem like a mystery, with costs varying wildly depending on who you ask and what you're comparing.

The truth is, louvre pricing isn't mysterious at all once you understand what drives the numbers. Like most building products, the final cost depends on what you're buying, where it's going, and how complex the installation will be. The difference between basic fixed louvre systems, operable systems or sliding systems can be thousands of dollars, but both serve completely different purposes and offer different benefits.

What influences aluminium louvre pricing?

Several factors affect the final cost of your louvre installation. Some of these are as follows.

Aluminium prices: with aluminium extrusion being the primary material, global aluminium prices have a large impact on aluminium louvre prices. Aluminium prices are set by trading on the London Metal Exchange (LME). 

Automation and movement: the type of system you choose makes a big difference to your budget. Fixed louvres are typically the most economical option. As you add movement, operable, sliding, motorisation, etc, the pricing increases.

Size: sizing obviously plays a role in pricing - a small panel is cheaper than a larger panel. But it's worth noting that there are fixed costs that don’t change much on a project size, so smaller jobs tend to have higher square meter rates.

Access: installing off project scaffolding is more efficient than putting scaffolding up specially for the louvre install. It's worth planning for the louvre install when the scaffold is first erected, to save additional access costs later on.

Finishes: standard powder coat finishes cost less than premium options like anodised or speciality colours.

Similarly, choosing from standard louvre profiles keeps costs down compared to custom extrusions designed for specific architectural requirements.

Download our fixed louvre DWG files here for technical specifications, or discover a selection of our technical specifications on each product page. 

Fixed louvre systems

Fixed aluminium louvres are an excellent option when you need sun shading or privacy screening. They can be put over windows, the sides of balconies and outdoor patio areas. It's worth noting that fixed louvres can act as the balustrading for balcony installs.

For residential applications, you can expect fixed louvre systems to typically cost between $400 + GST and $850 + GST per square metre for standard installations. The range typically depends on the profile shape and size selected, the blade centres and bracketry requirements to fix the louvres back to the building.

Operable louvre systems

Operable louvre systems are essentially the same as fixed louvre systems, but the blades rotate inside a frame, providing greater flexibility and shade/privacy options. Both manually operable and motorised operable options are available.

For a typical manually operable install, you can expect the cost to be between $650 + GST and $900 + GST per square. For a typical motorised operable install, you can expect the cost to be between $750 + GST and $1100 + GST. Again, the louvre profile shape and size dictates where in the range a project might land.

Sliding louvre systems

Sliding louvre systems allow building occupants to move the louvre screen along a track to give them maximum flexibility for shading and privacy. Automation makes a big difference to costs, with motorised options being much more expensive than manually sliding systems. 

Manual systems typically cost between $850 + GST and $1,700 + GST per square meter, while motorised systems can cost up to $3,500 + GST per square meter. Multiple factors impact the cost of sliding screens, including the screen size, weight and profiles selected. 

Operable louvre roofs

Operable louvre roofs offer fantastic flexibility for outdoor living spaces. These systems allow you to control light, ventilation, and weather protection at the touch of a button.

Standard operable louvre roofs typically cost between $750 + GST and $1,800 + GST per square metre for residential installations. This pricing includes the motorised operating system, integrated gutter system, and standard control options.

Some factors that impact louvre roof costs include the type of structure the louvres are being fixed to, the shape and size of the louvre panel, drainage and electrical details. 

Getting accurate pricing

While these guidelines provide a general framework, every project has unique requirements that affect final pricing. Factors like site conditions, council requirements, custom colour matching, and specific performance criteria all influence costs.

The most reliable way to budget for your louvre project is to request detailed quotes from experienced suppliers. Quality suppliers will visit your site, discuss your specific requirements, and provide comprehensive pricing that includes all necessary components and installation.

Remember that the cheapest option isn't always the best value. Australian conditions demand quality materials and proper engineering. Investing in proven systems from established suppliers typically provides better long-term value through reduced maintenance and superior performance.

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