01Trade cost
Windows and glazing cost in Canada
Windows, storefront, curtain wall and interior glazing. Glazing is priced on perimeter and framing system, so linear feet of frame explains the number better than glass area.
02The rate
Commercial hourly
$90 – $150
Billed rate, national band
General hourly
$75 – $125
House-scale work
Commercial $/sf
$15 – $23
7% of hard cost
General $/sf
$19 – $30
From the residential band
The cost per square foot above is not a separate dataset. It is 7% of the curated new-build hard-cost band and 2% of the curated fit-out band that the market pages already publish, so this page can never contradict them.
03General versus commercial
The two segments, side by side
| Segment | Hourly | New build $/sf | Fit-out $/sf |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / residential | $75 – $125 | $19 – $30 | $6 – $9 |
| Commercial | $90 – $150 | $15 – $23 | $2 – $4 |
Why commercial windows and glazing bills higher
Commercial glazing is an engineered aluminium system with thermal breaks, structural sealant, sometimes a delegated design and always a crane or lift. Residential replacement is a punched opening in an existing wall.
What the quoted rate covers
Normally: Frame and glass supply and installation; Perimeter sealant and standard flashing; Hardware and operable vents as specified. Normally not: Structural steel or reinforcement at large openings; Delegated engineering and wind-load testing; Interior finishing and drywall return after installation; Crane, swing stage and traffic management.
Buildlor facts
- Windows and glazing is 7% of hard cost on a new build.
- Windows and glazing is 2% of hard cost on a fit-out.
- Hard cost is typically 60 to 75 percent of an all-in budget, so a trade's share of the total is smaller again.
04What moves the number
Cost drivers
- Glazing ratio: a fully glazed curtain wall can double envelope cost against a punched-window facade.
- Frame linear footage: many small units cost more than fewer large ones for the same glass area.
- Performance glass: low-e, laminated, spandrel and triple glazing are each a step in price.
- Access: anything above the second floor prices in lifts, staging and street occupancy.
05By market
Windows and glazing cost by city
Every market below carries a curated cost factor, so the trade rate moves with it. Markets we publish a dedicated page for are linked.
| Market | Commercial $/sf | General $/sf |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto, ON | $16 – $25 | $21 – $32 |
| Montreal, QC | $14 – $22 | $19 – $29 |
| Calgary, AB | $15 – $23 | $19 – $29 |
| Ottawa, ON | $15 – $24 | $20 – $30 |
| Edmonton, AB | $14 – $22 | $19 – $29 |
| Winnipeg, MB | $14 – $21 | $18 – $27 |
| Mississauga, ON | $16 – $25 | $20 – $32 |
| Vancouver, BC | $17 – $26 | $22 – $34 |
| Brampton, ON | $16 – $24 | $20 – $31 |
| Hamilton, ON | $15 – $24 | $20 – $30 |
| Surrey, BC | $16 – $25 | $21 – $32 |
| Quebec City, QC | $14 – $21 | $18 – $27 |
| Halifax, NS | $14 – $22 | $18 – $28 |
| Laval, QC | $14 – $22 | $18 – $28 |
| London, ON | $14 – $22 | $19 – $29 |
| Victoria, BC | $16 – $25 | $21 – $32 |
| Markham, ON | $16 – $24 | $20 – $31 |
| Vaughan, ON | $16 – $25 | $20 – $32 |
| Saskatoon, SK | $14 – $22 | $18 – $28 |
| Gatineau, QC | $14 – $22 | $18 – $28 |
| Kitchener, ON | $15 – $23 | $19 – $30 |
| Longueuil, QC | $14 – $22 | $18 – $28 |
| Regina, SK | $14 – $21 | $18 – $27 |
| Burnaby, BC | $17 – $26 | $22 – $33 |
| Windsor, ON | $14 – $22 | $18 – $28 |
06Questions
How much does windows and glazing cost per hour?
Windows and glazing is billed in a band, not at one rate. Commercial work bills above general work for the same hour because of documentation, inspection and coordination. The bands on this page are national baselines; the market table shows how they move by city.
Why is commercial windows and glazing more expensive than residential?
Commercial glazing is an engineered aluminium system with thermal breaks, structural sealant, sometimes a delegated design and always a crane or lift. Residential replacement is a punched opening in an existing wall.
What share of a construction budget is windows and glazing?
7% of hard cost on a new build and 2% of a fit-out, on the division splits Buildlor publishes. Those shares are how the cost per square foot on this page is derived.
Is this a quote?
No. Buildlor is a data publisher, not a contractor. These are indicative benchmarks for the stage before you tender, and every page states what it excludes.
Buildlor Construction Cost Index · Last updated 2026-01-15 · Maintained by Buildlor Cost Desk
Not advice — Buildlor is a data publisher. We do not bid, price, estimate, or build work, and nothing here is a quote, a tender price, or construction advice. Figures are indicative order-of-magnitude benchmarks for early budgeting and must be confirmed by a qualified cost consultant, quantity surveyor, or general contractor before you rely on them. About Buildlor