Repainting vs Replacing Aluminium Windows: What’s the Real Carbon Footprint?

Gold Coast Aluminium Window Painting – RepaintPro


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If you’ve ever thought about replacing your old aluminium windows with new ones, you’re not alone. For many homeowners across the Gold Coast — from Mudgeeraba to Helensvale, Robina to Hope Island — upgrading tired, outdated aluminium frames is a big part of the renovation process.

But have you ever stopped to consider the environmental impact of pulling out all those old frames and replacing them with new ones?

In this post, we’re diving into the carbon footprint of replacing aluminium windows vs repainting them — and the results might just surprise you.


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???? Why Carbon Footprint Matters When Renovating

It’s no secret that building materials — especially aluminium — are energy-intensive to produce. As homeowners become more conscious of sustainability, understanding the eco-impact of renovation decisions has never been more important.

While aesthetics matter, what if you could:

Reduce your emissions,

Keep existing materials out of landfill,

Still achieve a modern, architectural finish?


That’s where professional aluminium window repainting comes in. At RepaintPro, we specialise in transforming tired old aluminium windows into sleek, durable, modern assets — and we do it across every suburb of the Gold Coast.


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???? The Shocking Carbon Cost of Replacing Aluminium Frames

Let’s look at the numbers.

???? Rough Estimate of Carbon Footprint (New Window Installation):

Aluminium frame:
Approx. 10–15 kg of CO₂ per square metre
(using primary, virgin aluminium)

Glass panel:
Approx. 1–3 kg of CO₂ per square metre


???? That means each new window (frame + glass) =

15–30 kg of CO₂ per m²

Now let’s apply that to a whole house:

Home Size Approx. Window Area Total CO₂ from New Windows

150 m² Home 22–30 m² 330–900 kg CO₂
250 m² Home 37–50 m² 555–1,500 kg CO₂


That’s up to 1.5 tonnes of carbon emissions — just from the windows!

And that’s before you factor in the energy, cost, and waste involved in removing old frames, manufacturing new ones, transportation, and installation.


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????️ Repainting Aluminium Windows: The Low-Impact Alternative

Now let’s talk about repainting — specifically, onsite aluminium window spraying, which is what we do day in and day out at RepaintPro.

We use a detailed process involving:

Professional cleaning and prep,

Sanding and mechanical abrasion,

High-performance primers,

Multiple layers of finish coat (not just one!),

All completed using low-waste HVLP spray systems.


So what’s the carbon footprint of repainting aluminium windows?

✅ Typical Carbon Footprint of Repainting

Oil-based paint = ~1.5–3 kg CO₂ per window

Water-based paint = even lower


That’s a 90%+ reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to replacing.

And more than just carbon, think about the materials you keep out of landfill: old frames, glazing, trim, seals, screws, and packaging.


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???? “We’re Not Here to Sell You Anything…”

But we are here to solve the problem of what to do with those ugly windows that don’t match anything anymore!

We’ve seen it all — homes in Broadbeach Waters with original 1990s beige frames… colonial-style cream windows in Bonogin… oxidised green frames in Coomera. You don’t have to rip them all out to get the look you want.


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???? Repainting Across Every Gold Coast Suburb

Whether you’re after a Monument matte black, a fresh Pearl White, or something completely different, we can bring it to life — without the carbon hangover of full replacement.

We’ve transformed homes in:

Mudgeeraba, Robina, and Reedy Creek

Varsity Lakes and Burleigh Waters

Palm Beach, Tugun, and Currumbin

Mermaid Waters, Broadbeach, and Miami

Parkwood, Labrador, and Helensvale

Hope Island, Maudsland, and Coomera

Upper Coomera, Ormeau, and Yatala


And everywhere in between.


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???? What Makes Repainting So Eco-Friendly?

Here’s what sets repainting apart:

1. Minimal Waste

There’s no need to send aluminium and glass to the tip. We work with what’s already installed, meaning:

No demolition

No skips or disposal

No replacement materials being manufactured


2. Low-Emission Equipment

Our HVLP spray systems use less overspray and less energy than many other painting methods.

3. Long-Lasting Finishes

We use a tested system of:

Thorough cleaning

Wax and grease remover

Mechanical abrasion

Primer coat

2–4 finish coats


This process gives you a finish that rivals factory powder coating — without the emissions of re-manufacturing frames.

4. Local Work, Local Team

We’re a Gold Coast family business with 100 years of painting experience behind us. No freight. No delays. No carbon-intensive shipping.


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???? Still Thinking About Replacing? Consider This First:

Replacement window frames are often marketed as an upgrade — but here are some truths we’ve uncovered in the field:

Many “cheap” aluminium windows don’t last as long as older frames

Replacing windows almost always involves plaster repair, repainting interiors, re-trimming or patching render

Builders and installers rarely remove all the dust and oxidisation from cuts and joins — leading to corrosion within 2–5 years

Most homeowners regret the weeks of disruption replacing windows causes



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???? Real Talk: What Customers Have Said to Us

“I didn’t realise I could even paint my aluminium windows.”
— Yes, and we’ve been doing it since 2015. It’s all we do, and we do it right.

“We nearly replaced everything — so glad we found your page.”
— Happens every week. Often right before someone rips out perfectly good frames.

“We want to make the home more modern but don’t want the waste.”
— This is one of the biggest reasons people choose to repaint instead.


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???? Sustainability Is the Future of Renovation

If you’re renovating on the Gold Coast and care about doing it responsibly, repainting is the clear winner:

More affordable

Lower emissions

Less waste

Less disruption

Longer-lasting when done right


And yes — we offer a 6-year workmanship warranty backed by the QBCC.


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????️ How the Process Works

1. Send Us Photos
Include the colour you want, your location, and whether any screens stay on.


2. Get a Quote
We’ll price everything up — windows, sliding doors, security screens — including colour premiums and GST.


3. We Prep Your Site
Taping, screening, cleaning, sanding, removing wheels, and full surface preparation.


4. We Spray in Place
With precision and care, using HVLP sprayers and professional masking.


5. We Clean Up and Reveal the Transformation
The best part? Peeling the tape and revealing crisp, clean lines and a finish that looks brand new.




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???? Avoid the “Cheap Job” Trap

We’ve heard all the excuses from other painters:

“You only need one coat”

“Black lasts longer” (false!)

“Can’t remove screens” (lazy!)

“Glass might break” (we’ve broken 2 in 7 years)


If someone’s quoting you low — it’s for a reason.

We do it right or not at all.


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✅ Ready to Modernise the Eco-Friendly Way?

If you’re wondering whether to repaint or replace — the numbers speak for themselves:

Option Carbon Emissions per Window Landfill Waste Cost

Replace Aluminium 15–30 kg CO₂/m² High $$$$
Repaint Aluminium 1.5–3 kg CO₂ per window Near-zero $–$$


And the result? A window that looks brand new — in a colour that actually matches your house.


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???? “We’re Not Here to Sell You Anything…”

But we are here to solve the problem of what to do with those ugly aluminium windows that don’t match anything anymore.


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???? Want to Know More?

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???? Serving the Entire Gold Coast

Including but not limited to:
Mudgeeraba, Reedy Creek, Bonogin, Robina, Varsity Lakes, Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Waters, Mermaid Waters, Broadbeach, Broadbeach Waters, Clear Island Waters, Palm Beach, Elanora, Currumbin, Tugun, Miami, Ashmore, Molendinar, Parkwood, Labrador, Southport, Benowa, Bundall, Isle of Capri, Chevron Island, Surfers Paradise, Main Beach, Hope Island, Maudsland, Pacific Pines, Helensvale, Oxenford, Coomera, Upper Coomera, Ormeau, Yatala — and your suburb too.