An aluminum door frame typically costs $150-$900 for the frame alone, while a supplied and installed frame commonly totals $450-$1,800. Size, commercial versus residential construction, finish, removal needs, and local labor rates make the largest difference in the final quote.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential frame only | $100 | $275 | $600 | Standard opening; basic finish |
| Commercial frame only | $250 | $650 | $1,500 | Heavier or wider storefront frame |
| Installed replacement | $450 | $1,050 | $2,500 | Includes typical labor and fitting |
| Frame material rate | $15 per linear ft | $35 per linear ft | $75 per linear ft | Profile, thickness, and finish affect rate |
What aluminum door frames cost by opening size
For a typical 36-by-80-inch residential entry opening, a basic aluminum frame costs about $100-$350 for the frame alone. A stronger, custom-sized frame or one with a painted or anodized finish generally runs $250-$600. These prices assume a standard single opening and exclude the door slab, glass, hardware, and installation.
Commercial storefront frames usually cost more because they are designed for frequent use, larger glass panels, or wider openings. A standard single commercial frame may cost $250-$900, while oversized, reinforced, or thermally broken assemblies can reach $1,500 or more before installation. An installed replacement for a straightforward opening often falls between $700 and $1,800.
For a standard opening, budget roughly $275 for a residential frame alone or about $1,050 for a typical installed replacement. Regional labor rates and the condition of the surrounding wall can push the total outside these averages.
Assumptions: Standard single-door opening, common aluminum finish, ordinary access, and no major wall or storefront reconstruction.
How frame materials and fitting shape the quote
A contractor’s quote may combine frame stock, fabrication, labor, fasteners, removal, and finishing. Some suppliers price a frame as a complete fabricated unit; others quote linear footage and charge separately for corners, anchors, and machining. Confirm whether the price covers the full frame and preparation for the chosen hinges, lock, and closer.
| Quote component | Low | Average | High | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum frame and fabrication | $100 | $400 | $1,200 | Profile, dimensions, finish, and reinforcement |
| Installation labor | $200 | $450 | $900 | Opening condition and alignment work |
| Old frame removal | $50 | $150 | $350 | Fasteners, sealant, and wall damage |
| Anchors, shims, and sealant | $25 | $75 | $180 | Wall type and weather sealing needs |
| Delivery or disposal | $25 | $100 | $250 | Distance and debris volume |
Hardware may be included, but it should not be assumed. Hinge reinforcements, lock preparations, thresholds, weatherstripping, and closer plates can add $20-$200 or more depending on specification. A frame with a factory-applied finish may cost more upfront but can avoid separate painting or coating charges.
Ask for separate frame, labor, removal, and hardware prices so the quote can be compared consistently.
Which frame dimensions and aluminum grades raise the price
Opening size is a major price driver because wider or taller frames require more stock and may need additional reinforcement. A basic single-door frame for an opening around 36 by 80 inches is generally less expensive than a 42-inch-wide door, a pair of doors, or a tall commercial opening. Custom fabrication commonly adds 15%-40% compared with a standard stocked size.
Profile thickness and alloy strength also matter. Light-duty frames for low-traffic interior use may fall near the lower end of the frame-only range. Heavier profiles for busy entrances, impact exposure, or commercial hardware can add 20%-50%. Thermal-break construction, which separates interior and exterior aluminum sections to reduce heat transfer, can add roughly $100-$400 for a single frame assembly.
Finish and configuration affect the estimate too. Standard clear or bronze anodized finishes are often less costly than custom colors or specialty coatings, which may add $50-$250. A double-door frame, sidelight, transom, or integrated glass system is not simply a standard frame with extra trim; it may require engineered sections and a separate assembly quote.
Measure the rough opening, not just the existing frame, and confirm the required profile and hardware preparations before ordering. A mismatch can lead to cutting, reframing, or a replacement order that costs more than the initial upgrade.
How installation hours change an aluminum frame estimate
A simple frame replacement may take one installer about 3-6 hours when the opening is square, the old frame releases cleanly, and no finish repair is needed. A two-person crew may finish a straightforward commercial opening in roughly 4-8 labor hours. Typical installer rates are $50-$110 per hour, with higher charges in expensive metro areas or for specialized storefront work.
Removing a frame set into masonry, correcting a leaning opening, or reconnecting a storefront system can extend the job to a full day or longer. Contractors may charge a minimum service fee of $150-$300 even if the work is brief. Some price by the project instead of by the hour, so the written estimate should state what happens if concealed damage increases labor.
Labor is often $200-$900 for a standard replacement, before major repairs or specialty equipment.
Ask whether the labor price includes squaring and shimming, fastening, perimeter sealing, and adjustments to make the door swing and latch properly. A low installation quote that omits those tasks may not represent the finished job cost.
Why aluminum frame prices differ by U.S. region
Installed prices in rural and lower-cost markets may be about 10%-20% below national averages when contractors have short travel distances and ordinary labor demand. Large cities and high-cost coastal markets can run 15%-35% higher because wages, insurance, parking, and delivery charges are greater. These are broad comparisons, not fixed regional rates; local availability and project scope can outweigh geography.
Commercial storefront work in dense urban areas may also require coordination with building management, restricted delivery windows, or work outside business hours. After-hours scheduling can add 10%-30% to labor. Remote locations may face a delivery or travel charge of $50-$250, particularly for custom frames transported from a distant fabricator.
Use local quotes for the same frame specification rather than comparing a national online price with a complete installed bid. The online figure may exclude freight, fitting, removal, and local taxes.
Three aluminum frame quotes for common door projects
The examples below show how frame type and job scope change a plausible total. They assume ordinary access and no extensive structural repair; actual quotes depend on the opening and local labor.
| Project example | Frame price | Labor and related charges | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior residential replacement, 36 by 80 inches | $180-$300 | $250-$450 for 4-5 hours, removal, and sealant | $430-$750 |
| Commercial single storefront entry | $450-$800 | $400-$700 for 5-7 hours, anchors, and disposal | $850-$1,500 |
| Custom thermally broken frame with sidelight | $900-$1,500 | $600-$1,000 for 8-10 hours and careful fitting | $1,500-$2,500 |
In the first example, a standard stock frame keeps fabrication expenses down. The storefront example assumes a heavier profile and commercial hardware preparation. The sidelight example includes a more involved assembly; glass and the door slab may still be priced separately.
Check whether each quote includes tax, delivery, disposal, hardware preparation, and any glass or door panel. Exclusions can make two apparently similar estimates differ by hundreds of dollars.
When removal, repairs, and hardware add extra charges
Old frame removal may cost $50-$350, depending on how it is attached and whether it can be removed without damaging drywall, siding, or masonry. Repairing a damaged opening can add $100-$600 for patching, trim, or limited framing work. Significant structural or water-damage repairs require a site-specific estimate and may fall outside a door installer’s standard scope.
New hardware is another common extra. A threshold can add $30-$150, weatherstripping $15-$80, and replacement hinges or lock preparation $25-$150. Commercial closers, panic hardware, or access-control components can add several hundred dollars or more, especially if wiring or code-related changes are required.
Delivery for a fabricated frame may be included locally or billed separately at $25-$250. Disposal can be a separate $25-$100 charge, while custom color matching and rush fabrication may add $75-$300 or more. Confirm whether these items are listed in the bid rather than assuming they are covered by the frame price.
Clarify the condition of the opening and the exact hardware scope before approving a fixed price. Photos and accurate measurements help contractors identify likely extras, but concealed damage can still change the final bill.
How to lower the frame price without sacrificing fit
Use a standard size and stocked finish when the opening allows it. Custom dimensions, specialty coatings, and elaborate profiles can increase frame-only pricing by 15%-40% or more. Avoid ordering until the rough opening and hinge, lock, and closer locations are verified; rework or a replacement frame can erase any savings from choosing a lower-cost supplier.
Keep the job limited to what is necessary. If the existing frame is sound, square, and compatible with the door, ask whether replacing only the door slab or repairing a loose anchor is viable. A repair may cost $100-$400, although it will not solve corrosion, major distortion, or a frame that no longer supports secure hardware.
Compare at least three written bids using the same measurements, finish, profile, hardware preparations, removal scope, and installation requirements. Scheduling during normal business hours and combining nearby openings in one visit can reduce minimum service or travel charges. Homeowners can clear the work area and remove movable obstacles, but should leave frame removal and final alignment to a qualified installer.
The most reliable savings come from avoiding custom fabrication and preventing scope gaps, not from choosing an underspecified frame. For exterior doors, confirm the frame is suitable for weather exposure and compatible with the door system before trading durability for a lower initial price.