Window Frame Fabrication (Jhyal)

If you have ever stood in an old Kathmandu house during monsoon and watched water seep in through a warped wooden frame, you already know why window frame fabrication matters more than most homeowners think. A window is not just glass and a hole in the wall. It is the frame around it, the way it is fitted into the opening, and the material that has to survive Nepal's mix of heat, dust, monsoon humidity and, in some areas, seismic movement.

Why the Window Frame Matters More Than the Glass

Here's the thing: most people shopping for windows focus on the glass, the design, or the grill pattern. The frame is what actually does the work. A poorly fabricated frame, whether wood, aluminium or uPVC, will let in water during monsoon, let heat escape in winter, and start rattling within a year or two. In most projects we've handled, the complaints that bring people back to a contractor are almost never about the glass. They are about a frame that was not squared properly, hinges that were mounted on soft wood, or a sill that was not sloped to drain water outward.

A well fabricated jhyal should sit flush in the opening, open and close without force, seal tightly enough to keep dust and mosquitoes out, and hold its shape through at least one full monsoon before you judge it.

Aluminium, Wood or uPVC: Choosing the Right Window Frame Material for Nepal

This is probably the single most common question we get on a site visit. There is no universally correct answer, it depends on budget, the direction the window faces, and how much maintenance you are willing to do.

Aluminium Window Frames

Aluminium is the most common choice across new construction in Kathmandu Valley right now, and honestly, for good reason. It costs noticeably less than wood or uPVC, it does not swell or warp in the monsoon, and local aluminium fabricators and parts are easy to find, so repairs are quick. Powder coated aluminium frames in standard finishes are the budget option, while anodised or wood grain finish aluminium costs a bit more but looks closer to timber.

uPVC Window Frames

uPVC has been gaining ground in Kathmandu over the last few years, mainly for its insulation and sound dampening. It costs more than aluminium because most profiles are imported, but it does not rust, does not need painting, and performs well in humid conditions. If your site is on a busy road or near a highway, uPVC's sound insulation is genuinely noticeable compared to aluminium.

Wooden Window Frames

Wood is still the choice for traditional Newari style homes, heritage renovations, and clients who simply prefer the look and feel of timber. Quality sal or saur wood frames cost more than both aluminium and uPVC once you factor in the carpentry labour, but they can be carved, painted, or stained to match interior wood work in a way metal frames cannot. The trade off is maintenance: exterior facing wooden frames need repainting every few years and periodic termite treatment, especially in the Terai and humid valley pockets.

If your project also involves changing the size or position of an opening, our wall opening and structural modification service is usually handled alongside window fabrication, since resizing a jhyal opening affects the lintel and surrounding masonry.

How Window Frame Fabrication Actually Works, Step by Step

•       Site measurement: A technician visits and takes exact opening dimensions, checks the lintel level, and notes whether the opening needs any correction.

•       Material and design selection: You choose the frame material (wood, aluminium or uPVC), glass type, and whether you want a fixed, sliding or casement design.

•       Fabrication: For wood, this means cutting, planing and joining sections with mortise and tenon or similar joinery. For aluminium and uPVC, sections are cut to size and assembled with corner brackets and hardware in the workshop or on site.

•       Fitting and fixing: The frame is set into the opening, checked for level and plumb, and anchored with fasteners or embedded fixing points.

•       Sealing: Gaps around the frame are filled and sealed to stop water and air infiltration, this step gets skipped by careless crews and is honestly where most leaks come from later.

•       Glazing and hardware: Glass panes, mosquito mesh (if included), handles, hinges and locks are fitted.

•       Finishing: Wooden frames get primer and paint or polish, aluminium frames may get a final wipe and protective film removal, and the area around the frame is cleaned up.

Window Frame Fabrication Cost in Nepal

Pricing varies by material, size, design complexity and glass type, but here is a rough sense of what we see across bookings in Kathmandu Valley:

•       Aluminium frames: generally the most economical option, priced per square foot including standard glass and basic hardware.

•       uPVC frames: costs more than aluminium due to imported profiles, higher again for double glazed units.

•       Wooden frames: the most expensive per square foot once labour and finishing are included, cost rises further with carved designs or premium timber.

From our experience, the final number always comes down to the site visit. Two windows of the same size can price differently depending on wall thickness, whether the old frame needs to be removed first, and how much correction the opening needs. We never quote a final price without a technician actually seeing the site.

Common Mistakes We See in Window Frame Fabrication and Installation

•       Frames fitted without checking that the opening is square, which causes doors within the frame to bind or gap on one side.

•       Skipping the sealant or foam backing around the frame edge, which is the main reason for water seepage during monsoon.

•       Using undersized hinges or hardware on larger sliding sashes, leading to sagging within a year.

•       Painting wooden frames before they have properly dried out, which traps moisture inside the timber.

•       Not sloping external sills outward, so rainwater sits against the frame instead of draining away.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which material is best for window frames in Nepal, wood, aluminium or uPVC?

It depends on your priorities. Aluminium suits most budgets and handles monsoon humidity well. uPVC is a step up for insulation and sound dampening. Wood suits heritage style homes and clients who want a timber finish, but it needs more upkeep.

2. How much does aluminium window fabrication cost in Kathmandu?

Aluminium is generally the most affordable of the three main materials, priced per square foot, but the exact rate depends on the profile thickness, hardware brand and glass type you choose. A site visit gives you an accurate number for your specific opening sizes.

3. Do wooden window frames last in Nepal's climate?

They can, if the timber is properly seasoned and the frame gets repainting or polish every few years along with occasional termite treatment. Frames facing direct rain and sun without any overhang tend to need more frequent maintenance than sheltered ones.

4. Can you replace just the frame and keep my existing glass?

In some cases yes, if the glass is undamaged and the new frame is built to the same dimensions. Our technician checks this during the site visit and will tell you honestly if reusing the glass makes sense or if it is better to replace everything together.

5. Do you work outside Kathmandu Valley?

Yes, constructionsewa connects verified carpenters and fabricators across Nepal. Share your location when booking a site visit and we will match you with a professional working in your district.

6. Is there a warranty on window frame fabrication work?

Workmanship warranty terms depend on the scope of work and material used, and these are shared in your project agreement once the site inspection and estimate are finalised.

Ready to Get Your Window Frames Fabricated the Right Way?

If you are still weighing your options, that is completely normal, window frame fabrication is not something most people deal with often, so it is fine to have questions before committing. Book a free site visit with constructionsewa and a verified carpenter or fabricator will inspect your opening, walk you through wood, aluminium and uPVC options honestly, and give you a written quotation with no pressure to decide on the spot. From there, you can book an inspection date that works for you, ask about timelines, and get your project scheduled with milestone based payments and a workmanship warranty in writing.