Why can the same square metre of facade cost twice as much? How glass, profiles, colour, access and programme affect the budget.
Investors and project managers often talk about facade cost as a price per square metre. But two quotes under the same system name can differ greatly. As of November 2026 in Türkiye, prices range from 7,000–9,000 TRY/m² for stick facades to 14,000–18,000 TRY/m² for unitised systems, and eight factors lie behind that spread.
1. Glass type and size
Glass makes up about 35–45% of facade cost. Selective solar-control coatings, laminated safety glass, triple glazing and large sizes (over 3 m) push costs up quickly. With jumbo panes, both the glass price and the cost of handling and installation equipment rise.
2. Wind load and profile sections
On tall buildings and in coastal areas, higher wind pressure requires deeper mullions and steel reinforcement. Profile weight directly sets the aluminium cost.
3. Floor height and module size
Floor heights over 4 m and modules wider than 1.5 m increase profile sections and glass thickness.
4. Colour and finish
Standard RAL colours are economical; metallic, wood-effect or anodised finishes can add 8–15%. Different colours inside and out mean extra processing time.
5. Number of opening vents
With hardware and labour, each opening vent costs several times as much as a fixed pane. Planning ventilation together with the mechanical system avoids unnecessary vents.
6. Access and installation method
The choice of crane, facade platform, suspended cradle or scaffolding can account for 4–8% of the budget, depending on site space and building height.
7. Special details
Corner glass, sloping facades, sun shades, integrated lighting and bespoke caps need new dies and extra engineering.
8. Programme and currency
Aluminium follows the LME price, and glass and hardware follow exchange rates. A fast-tracked programme means extra shifts and extra crews. In fixed-price contracts, these risks are priced in.
How can the budget be optimised?
Planning glass sizes around standard production dimensions, setting the number of vents by actual need and choosing colours early deliver real savings without compromising the look. Value engineering at concept stage reduces total facade budgets by 8–12% on most projects. You can build your first budget scenarios with the facade cost estimator on our website.
When comparing quotes
Compare quotes not only by price per m² but also by glass specification, profile sections, test and mock-up scope, access equipment, warranty periods and payment terms. A quote that looks cheap can end up the most expensive option because of items left out of scope.