Guide
Aluminium or timber shopfront: which is better?
Aluminium suits most modern shop units, because it is slim, strong and low in upkeep. Timber suits period buildings, listed buildings and conservation areas, where it fits the street and is more likely to be accepted. Cost, maintenance and the council's view usually settle the choice, so look at all three before deciding.
Last updated 3 November 2026. General guidance only: confirm anything legal with your council or adviser.
How do the costs compare?
Aluminium comes in at £2,495 to £7,995 ex VAT for a typical 3 to 5 m frontage. A timber shopfront is £3,995 to £9,995 ex VAT for a typical frontage, and heritage joinery is £5,995 to £14,995 ex VAT for a typical frontage. Aluminium often starts lower because the sections are standard, while timber joinery is made to order for each job. Glass upgrades, signs and security are usually priced on top of either.
Running costs matter as well as the purchase price. An aluminium front mostly needs cleaning, while a timber front needs repainting and occasional joinery repairs over its life. Recoating aluminium is £395 to £1,695 ex VAT per frontage, so a tired metal front can often be refreshed without being replaced.
Which needs less upkeep?
Powder-coated aluminium needs washing, not painting, and it does not rot. If the coating is damaged it can be repaired or resprayed. Timber needs repainting on a regular cycle, and its cills and joints need watching. In its favour, a rotten section can be cut out and repaired, so a well-kept timber front can last for generations.
Which is more secure?
Both can be secure if they are specified properly. Aluminium carries heavy laminated glass and multi-point locks in slim sections. Timber needs deeper sections and good ironmongery to do the same job. In either material, the glass and the lock usually decide how well a shopfront resists attack, more than the frame alone.
Which is more likely to get planning permission?
In England, aluminium is generally accepted on modern parades and can be powder coated in a heritage colour. On listed buildings and in conservation areas, councils often expect painted timber, and some resist uPVC and plain aluminium outright. Guidance varies across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so confirm with your council before you choose.
Which should you choose?
Start with the building. A 1960s parade rarely needs timber, and a Georgian high street rarely suits bare aluminium. Thermally broken aluminium and well-made timber can both keep heat in, so energy is seldom the deciding factor. Then think about who will look after the front, and how often it will realistically get painted.
- Choose aluminium for slim frames, big glass and low upkeep
- Choose timber for period character and repairable joinery
- Ask for both prices if the building could suit either