As 2025 unfolds, developers, architects, and homeowners across New York and the tri-state area are facing a new reality in the world of premium windows: importing is no longer the cost-saving strategy it once was. With tariffs soaring and lead times dragging, the smart move is to buy local, especially when you can get sleek, customizable, European-style aluminum windows right here in Brooklyn.
Vitraz Windows & Doors, a boutique window fabricator of European-style windows based in NYC, is reshaping how European aluminum windows are delivered in the United States. We’re here to explain why, in the current climate, choosing a local manufacturer like us is not only smarter, it’s more cost-effective, faster, and tailored to your needs.
The 2025 Tariff Trap: What You’re Really Paying For
The Hidden Costs of Imported European Windows
When you import finished European windows, you’re not just paying for materials, you’re paying a tax on everything:
- 50% Tariff on Aluminum (per Section 232 regulations)
- 10% Tariff on Glass
- Tariffs on Labor, yes, the labor cost embedded in the price of the product is taxed too
The result? The entire window, aluminum, glass, labor, and logistics, is hit with high duties, wiping out the cost advantage that once came from importing.
Local Manufacturing Minimizes Tariff Exposure
In contrast, NYC-based window manufacturers like Vitraz are insulated from these tariffs in critical ways:
- We only pay tariffs on raw aluminum, not labor or domestic glass
- Local labor is untaxed and consistent
- Glass is sourced through U.S. partners not impacted by aluminum tariffs
The difference in tariff exposure alone can swing your project’s window budget by tens of thousands.
Transparent Pricing: No Guesswork, No Surprises
Importing European Windows Comes with Unpredictable Costs
Ordering from Europe may start with a promising quote, but surprise fees add up fast:
- Currency exchange rate shifts
- Freight forwarding, customs brokerage, and inspection fees
- Container storage and unloading delays
All of these can throw off your timeline, and your budget.
Local Window Fabrication Means Honest Pricing
At Vitraz, we quote you one number, and stick to it. You’ll know exactly what’s included, right down to the last detail. Our transparent pricing model means:
- A fully itemized breakdown of costs for glass, aluminum, hardware, labor, and customization
- Lead times that are clearly communicated and rarely fluctuate
- Delivery dates that are realistic, and honored
There are no foreign bank fees, no exchange rate spikes, and no customs brokerage bills waiting to surprise you at the end. Just clean, reliable pricing from a Brooklyn-based team you can call directly. Whether you’re managing a tight project budget or simply want the peace of mind that comes from working with a local expert, Vitraz ensures there are no financial surprises, only clarity, consistency, and real value.
Lead Times: Why Local Windows Ship Faster
Waiting Months for Imported European Windows
Today’s average lead time for imported windows? 10 to 16 weeks, and in many cases, it stretches beyond that. This lengthy timeline includes multiple stages of production and logistics:
- Time to fabricate overseas, often in backlogged European facilities
- Time to package and palletize to international shipping standards
- Time to book and ship by sea, with limited container availability and port delays
- Time to clear U.S. customs, which adds uncertainty and red tape
Each of these steps introduces the potential for bottlenecks and surprises. A delay in any one phase can cause ripple effects across your entire construction schedule. For developers managing multi-unit projects or contractors trying to hit deadlines, this kind of uncertainty translates to financial risk, through increased carrying costs, change orders, or frustrated stakeholders.
Imported windows not only test your patience, they compromise your ability to stay on track and on budget. When time is critical, relying on a faraway supply chain simply doesn’t add up.
Vitraz Delivers in as Little as 2 Weeks
We manufacture right here in Brooklyn and can deliver in 2–3 weeks, depending on order size. That means:
- Projects stay on schedule
- Clients stay happy
- You stay in control
Whether you’re a Long Island homeowner or a Manhattan developer, time is money, and we help you save both.
After-Sale Service and Support
Importers Leave You on Your Own
Imported window suppliers rarely offer on-the-ground support. What happens if:
- A unit arrives damaged?
- A hinge doesn’t function right?
- You need to match a specialty color six months later?
You wait. And wait. And pay for it.
Vitraz = Real Support, Real People
We don’t just build windows, we back them up:
- Talk directly to the owner
- On-site inspections and adjustments available
- Replacements fabricated fast, with no international lag
You get peace of mind, and your clients get a better product experience.
Flexibility & Customization
European Imports Offer Limited Options
When importing, you’re often stuck with catalog specs:
- Standard dimensions
- Limited finishes
- Fixed glazing and hardware options
This may work for cookie-cutter projects, but it’s a challenge for modern designers, commercial projects, and custom homes.
Vitraz Windows Are Built to Your Vision
We offer:
- Over 200 custom colors
- Custom glass types (tinted, low-E, laminated, etc.)
- Handle and hinge finishes to match any aesthetic
- Architectural design support for tricky dimensions or configurations
Our team works with your architect, contractor, or designer to get it right, the first time.
Windows Fabricated in Brooklyn – Local Quality You Can Trust
Choosing Vitraz means supporting Brooklyn craftsmanship and the local economy. It also means:
- Shorter shipping distances = less risk of damage
- Lower carbon footprint than transatlantic shipping
- Real accountability: no overseas call centers, just a dedicated team who knows your order inside and out
Brooklyn isn’t just where we build, it’s part of our brand. We take pride in delivering European aluminum windows, made in New York.
Final Verdict: Local Wins in Every Category
When it comes to European-style aluminum windows, importing just doesn’t stack up anymore, not in 2025. With tariffs inflating costs, timelines stretching, and service falling short, it’s clear:
- Vitraz offers better pricing clarity
- Shorter lead times
- Higher service standards
- Premium quality windows made locally
From the Bronx to the Hamptons, from Jersey City to Stamford, builders, contractors, and homeowners trust Vitraz to deliver serious performance with a personal touch.
Ready to Skip the Tariffs and Get Premium Windows, Fast?
Get in touch with Vitraz Windows & Doors today and discover how easy, and affordable, it is to upgrade your next project with premium European-style windows made right here in Brooklyn.
- Request a Free Quote
- Schedule a Design Consultation
- Visit Our Brooklyn Showroom
Vitraz Windows & Doors – Your local window fabricator in NYC, delivering sleek European aluminum systems without the overseas wait.