A quote is a promise at a price, and in 2026 the price underneath it keeps moving. Steel and aluminum tariffs, and the metal prices that followed, have changed what some window and door products cost. The numbers below come from suppliers and trade sources, and they differ, so treat them as direction rather than a rate card.
What is being reported
- One 2026 supplier guide says US steel and aluminum tariffs continue at 50% under Section 232, with no new adjustments announced.
- The same kind of source reports mill prices up sharply year on year as of January 2026: steel products over 20% and aluminum shapes about 33%.
- A Florida impact-window supplier estimates aluminum impact windows rose 8 to 15% in 2026, against 4 to 6% for vinyl frames, because PVC is not directly tariffed. That is one supplier’s estimate, not an industry figure.
- IBISWorld takes a calmer view of the sector as a whole. It judges the industry unlikely to be materially affected by import tariffs, because imports are a small share of revenue and most manufacturers serve local markets.
Details of the tariffs on finished windows are reported inconsistently between sources. Check your own supplier’s price notices rather than any general figure, including the ones here.
How to quote when prices move
- Put an expiry date on every quote. Thirty days is a reasonable starting point, and a shorter window is fair when your supplier is moving prices.
- Record the product, frame material and unit price on the quote itself, so a later change is visible and explainable.
- Offer a second option in a different frame material. A vinyl option next to an aluminum one lets the homeowner choose the price point instead of walking away.
- Tell the homeowner early, and in plain words, what is driving the price. People accept a cost they understand far more readily than one they discover on the invoice.
- Take a deposit when the quote is accepted, so the price is held from that point.
On Unformed, a project can carry two customer options, each with its own product, color and price, so you can put two frame materials in front of the homeowner on one proposal link. Read what to look for in quoting software, and see how the contract and deposit terms fit in.