Average Thermal Break Aluminum Price

180-day market: price lists from 4 yards. As of 3/4/2026.
$0.55/ lb -$0.45 (10.8%)
GT = Gross Ton (2240 lbs)
Avg: $0.55
Lowest price $0.50
Highest price$0.60Who pays the most? ⟶
How to read a yard's offer
  • Low (up to $0.50): Floor price, typically for small loads.
  • Mid ($0.55): A fair deal for standard quantities.
  • High ($0.60+): Top-dollar rate. Offered for large commercial loads or by the most competitive buyers.
52-week price range
Over the past year, prices ranged from $0.45 to $0.64.
Mar '25Jun '25Sep '25Dec '25Today
Market response to LME pricing
Spread vs. exchange (180-day avg): ~45.6% (-$0.46/lb). Typical spread for this grade: 36%–55%
✓ Scrap yards are offering fair market rates
Market snapshot
Upward trend. Prices have been rising over the past 3 months.
Pricing verified from 4 live board rates today.

Top Paying Scrap Yards for Thermal Break Aluminum in New Jersey

Find reliable scrap yards across in New Jersey that purchase commercial aluminum frames and storefront extrusions. Don't just dump your heavy loads at the first scale you see; call ahead to confirm their current rates against the national benchmark, and ask about their specific preparation requirements for thermal break material.

💼 Scrap yard owners: Post your buy prices and get more customers
By price
By date
Updated 17 days ago

Rockaway Recycling

Listed as: AL Thermo-pane/break (Not Glass)
311 W Main St, Rockaway, NJ 07866 Get Directions
$0.58 / lb
Updated 32 days ago

ADJ Metals

Listed as: Thermal break (Not Glass)
14 Broad St Suite 205 Get Directions
$0.60 / lb
Updated 32 days ago

Sgt. Scrap

Listed as: Thermal Extrusion
9105 Burrough Dover Ln, Pennsauken, NJ 08110 Get Directions
$0.50 / lb
Updated 140 days ago

Sgt. Scrap

Listed as: Thermal Extrusion
610 Crescent Blvd, Gloucester City, NJ 08030 Get Directions
$0.50 / lb

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Comparing Thermal Break to Other Aluminum Grades

The #1 rule at scrap yards: if you mix grades, they’ll weigh everything at the lowest rate. See the price gap below — if you have higher-value metal, always sort and weigh each grade separately to avoid leaving money on the table.

Aluminum BX Based on 6 scrap yards
Avg price:$1.98 / lb
Trend (6m): +4.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum 5052 (Plate) Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$1.32 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum Wire (EC / Clean) Based on 4 scrap yards
Avg price:$1.23 / lb
Trend (6m): +18.6%
Price analytics
Lithographic Plates (Litho) Based on 3 scrap yards
Avg price:$1.15 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Painted Aluminum Extrusion Based on 3 scrap yards
Avg price:$1.04 / lb
Trend (6m): +1.1%
Price analytics
Aluminum 6063 Extrusion (Clean) Based on 5 scrap yards
Avg price:$1.04 / lb
Trend (6m): +23.2%
Price analytics
Clean Aluminum Auto Wheels (Alloy 356) Based on 4 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.89 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Dirty & Irony Aluminum Wheels Based on 3 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.80 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum 6061 Structural Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.78 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum Siding & Gutters Based on 5 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.75 / lb
Trend (6m): +12.6%
Price analytics
Aluminum Clips & MLC Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.74 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Dirty Aluminum Extrusion Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.70 / lb
Trend (90d): +21.5%
Price analytics
Clean Truck & Semi Wheels (Alloy 6061) Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.70 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Chrome Plated Aluminum Wheels Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.70 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Painted & Old Sheet Aluminum Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.66 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Clean Aluminum Sheet Based on 6 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.64 / lb
Trend (6m): -22.2%
Price analytics
Cast Aluminum Based on 3 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.56 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum Cans (UBC) Based on 4 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.51 / lb
Trend (6m): +14.8%
Price analytics
Aluminum Wire (Insulated / ACSR) Based on 3 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.45 / lb
Trend (6m): +33.8%
Price analytics
Aluminum Turnings Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.37 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Irony & Breakage Aluminum Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.15 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum Foil & Light Gauge Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.10 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics

Thermal Break Aluminum Market Trends

This chart shows where the market is headed. If the line is climbing, prices are rising — you might get a better deal in a few days. If it’s dropping, don’t wait: sell today before yards lower their buy prices further.

Thermal Break Aluminum: Scrap Yard Price vs. World Market (LME)

Avg scrap yard price

$0.55
Scrap metal dealers
Spread: -$0.46/lb
vs. exchange

World market price (LME)

$1.0024
✓ For 99.9% pure refined metal
💡 Why is the scrap yard price lower than the exchange? The LME price is the global benchmark for 99.99% pure refined metal traded in large institutional contracts. The gap between LME and what you pocket is the yard’s margin — it covers sorting, cleaning, transport to the mill, and protects them against sudden price drops.

Thermal Break Aluminum: Spread vs. Exchange — Monthly History

Analyst take: This month’s average spread between scrap yard prices and the world market for Thermal Break Aluminum is 45.6%. That’s in line with the typical range for this grade (43%–49%). Local yards are offering fair market rates. Check offers in your area ↑
PeriodWorld price (per lb)Scrap yard price (per lb)Spread vs. exchange
March 2026 (current)$1.097176$0.61-$0.49 (44.6%)
February 2026$1.2032$0.64-$0.56 (46.4%)
January 2026$1.051423$0.63-$0.42 (40%)
December 2025$0.982942$0.59-$0.39 (40.1%)
November 2025$0.930043$0.56-$0.37 (40.1%)
October 2025$0.887584$0.53-$0.36 (40.5%)
September 2025$0.86119$0.50-$0.36 (41.8%)
August 2025$0.866703$0.51-$0.36 (41%)
July 2025$0.837774$0.51-$0.33 (39.7%)
June 2025$0.802343$0.51-$0.29 (36.7%)
May 2025$0.807171$0.49-$0.32 (39.6%)
April 2025$0.744003$0.46-$0.28 (37.7%)
March 2025$0.878574$0.53-$0.35 (39.9%)
February 2025$0.893382$0.54-$0.36 (40.1%)
January 2025$0.812942$0.48-$0.33 (40.5%)
December 2024$0.805026$0.46-$0.34 (42.5%)
November 2024$0.80919$0.47-$0.34 (42.2%)
October 2024$0.84811$0.51-$0.34 (40.1%)
September 2024$0.84145$0.50-$0.34 (40%)
August 2024$0.838665$0.45-$0.39 (46.5%)
July 2024$0.905877$0.48-$0.43 (47%)
June 2024$0.957757$0.51-$0.45 (46.7%)
May 2024$0.995197$0.56-$0.44 (44.1%)
April 2024$0.9588$0.58-$0.38 (40%)
March 2024$0.916803$0.55-$0.37 (39.9%)
February 2024$0.908876$0.48-$0.42 (46.7%)
January 2024$0.981155$0.59-$0.39 (39.8%)
December 2023$0.992781$0.57-$0.42 (42.3%)
November 2023$0.936113$0.55-$0.38 (41.1%)
October 2023$0.91751$0.55-$0.37 (40.1%)
September 2023$0.946997$0.49-$0.46 (48.6%)
August 2023$0.930013$0.56-$0.37 (40.1%)
July 2023$0.934068$0.56-$0.37 (39.9%)
June 2023$0.944237$0.57-$0.38 (40.1%)
May 2023$0.9455$0.57-$0.38 (40.1%)
April 2023$0.971563$0.58-$0.39 (40.1%)
March 2023$1.031729$0.62-$0.41 (39.9%)
February 2023$1.081664$0.65-$0.43 (40.1%)
January 2023$1.063787$0.64-$0.42 (39.9%)
December 2022$1.03949$0.62-$0.42 (40%)
November 2022$1.026153$0.60-$0.43 (42%)
October 2022$0.962755$0.58-$0.39 (40.1%)
September 2022$0.9553$0.57-$0.38 (39.9%)
August 2022$1.002665$0.58-$0.43 (42.5%)
July 2022$0.932735$0.53-$0.40 (43.1%)
June 2022$1.03653$0.61-$0.43 (41.1%)
May 2022$1.104181$0.53-$0.58 (52.4%)
April 2022$1.12712$0.68-$0.45 (40%)
March 2022$1.070248$0.59-$0.48 (44.7%)
February 2022$1.12205$0.67-$0.45 (40%)
January 2022$1.156365$0.70-$0.46 (39.8%)
December 2021$1.092839$0.64-$0.45 (41.4%)
November 2021$1.072407$0.63-$0.45 (41.5%)
October 2021$1.051368$0.63-$0.42 (39.9%)
September 2021$1.110613$0.67-$0.45 (40.1%)
August 2021$1.181813$0.64-$0.54 (46.1%)
July 2021$1.106519$0.66-$0.44 (40%)
June 2021$1.065053$0.64-$0.43 (40.1%)
May 2021$1.079274$0.65-$0.43 (39.9%)
April 2021$1.063943$0.64-$0.42 (39.9%)
March 2021$1.038232$0.62-$0.41 (39.9%)
February 2021$0.997864$0.60-$0.40 (40%)
January 2021$0.978155$0.51-$0.47 (47.6%)
December 2020$0.912668$0.54-$0.37 (41%)
November 2020$0.788713$0.41-$0.38 (48.3%)
October 2020$0.748797$0.45-$0.30 (40%)
September 2020$0.74391$0.45-$0.30 (39.9%)
August 2020$0.681152$0.35-$0.33 (48.7%)
July 2020$0.682474$0.41-$0.27 (40.1%)
June 2020$0.707093$0.43-$0.28 (39.8%)
May 2020$0.667345$0.40-$0.27 (40.1%)
April 2020$0.655233$0.34-$0.32 (48.2%)
March 2020$0.63179$0.38-$0.25 (39.9%)
February 2020$0.865779$0.52-$0.34 (39.8%)
January 2020$0.878045$0.53-$0.35 (39.9%)
December 2019$0.919229$0.46-$0.46 (49.9%)
November 2019$0.903547$0.54-$0.36 (40.1%)
October 2019$0.820784$0.49-$0.33 (39.9%)
September 2019$0.807807$0.41-$0.40 (49.2%)
August 2019$0.738452$0.44-$0.30 (40.1%)
July 2019$0.808777$0.48-$0.32 (40.1%)
June 2019$0.780903$0.47-$0.31 (39.9%)
May 2019$0.820665$0.49-$0.33 (39.9%)
April 2019$0.942947$0.57-$0.38 (40%)
March 2019$0.911219$0.55-$0.36 (40%)
February 2019$0.934725$0.56-$0.37 (40%)
January 2019$0.875529$0.52-$0.35 (40.1%)
December 2018$0.842287$0.51-$0.34 (39.9%)
November 2018$0.97931$0.59-$0.39 (39.9%)
October 2018$1.115935$0.67-$0.45 (40%)
September 2018$1.203813$0.72-$0.48 (40%)
August 2018$1.192819$0.54-$0.65 (54.5%)
July 2018$1.199784$0.69-$0.51 (42.2%)
June 2018$1.261433$0.76-$0.51 (40%)
May 2018$1.294884$0.78-$0.52 (39.9%)
April 2018$1.215763$0.73-$0.49 (40%)
March 2018$1.178032$0.71-$0.47 (40.1%)
February 2018$1.196529$0.72-$0.48 (39.9%)
January 2018$1.240045$0.74-$0.50 (40%)
December 2017$1.152535$0.69-$0.46 (40%)
November 2017$1.124073$0.67-$0.45 (40%)
October 2017$1.080894$0.65-$0.43 (40%)
September 2017$1.024547$0.62-$0.41 (39.9%)
August 2017$1.01609$0.61-$0.41 (40%)
July 2017$1.05311$0.63-$0.42 (40%)
June 2017$1.012163$0.61-$0.40 (40%)
May 2017$1.030332$0.62-$0.41 (40%)
April 2017$1.047077$0.63-$0.42 (39.9%)
March 2017$1.074468$0.64-$0.43 (40%)
February 2017$1.078479$0.65-$0.43 (39.9%)
January 2017$1.065594$0.64-$0.43 (40%)
December 2016$1.028835$0.62-$0.41 (40.1%)
November 2016$0.931123$0.56-$0.37 (40%)
October 2016$0.8537$0.51-$0.34 (40.1%)
September 2016$0.80081$0.48-$0.32 (40%)
August 2016$0.826381$0.50-$0.33 (40%)
July 2016$0.774219$0.46-$0.31 (40%)
June 2016$0.741897$0.44-$0.30 (40.6%)

Thermal Break Aluminum Scrap Price History — Daily Data

A day-by-day market snapshot in exact numbers. Every day we aggregate buy prices from local scrap yards, recording the average, low, and high. Use this table to track real price movement over recent days.

DateAvg price (per lb)ChangeRange (Low/High)
3/4/2026$0.58 / lb+$0.03$0.58 - $0.58
2/17/2026$0.55 / lb+$0.05$0.50 - $0.60
11/1/2025$0.50 / lb-$0.05$0.50 - $0.50
10/16/2025$0.55 / lb+$0.02$0.55 - $0.55
10/8/2025$0.53 / lb+$0.08$0.53 - $0.53
9/7/2025$0.45 / lb-$0.05$0.45 - $0.45
8/24/2025$0.50 / lb— no change$0.50 - $0.50
8/7/2025$0.50 / lb-$0.05$0.50 - $0.50
7/1/2025$0.55 / lb— no change$0.55 - $0.55
6/26/2025$0.55 / lb+$0.05$0.55 - $0.55
5/28/2025$0.50 / lb— no change$0.50 - $0.50
4/21/2025$0.50 / lb+$0.22$0.50 - $0.50
1/23/2025$0.28 / lb-$0.27$0.28 - $0.28
1/19/2025$0.55 / lb+$0.05$0.55 - $0.55
1/9/2025$0.50 / lb+$0.17$0.50 - $0.50
12/4/2024$0.33 / lb-$0.17$0.33 - $0.33
9/19/2024$0.50 / lb+$0.20$0.50 - $0.50
8/15/2024$0.30 / lb-$0.11$0.30 - $0.30
8/1/2024$0.41 / lb-$0.04$0.41 - $0.41
7/30/2024$0.45 / lb+$0.07$0.45 - $0.45
7/23/2024$0.38 / lb-$0.18$0.38 - $0.38
6/30/2024$0.56 / lb+$0.21$0.56 - $0.56
6/25/2024$0.35 / lb-$0.12$0.35 - $0.35
6/21/2024$0.47 / lb-$0.03$0.47 - $0.47
6/18/2024$0.50 / lb-$0.05$0.50 - $0.50
6/12/2024$0.55 / lb+$0.05$0.55 - $0.55
6/1/2024$0.50 / lb-$0.03$0.50 - $0.50
5/25/2024$0.53 / lb+$0.21$0.53 - $0.53
2/25/2024$0.32 / lb-$0.18$0.32 - $0.32
12/16/2023$0.50 / lb-$0.02$0.50 - $0.50
11/17/2023$0.52 / lb+$0.02$0.52 - $0.52
9/30/2023$0.50 / lb+$0.20$0.50 - $0.50
9/25/2023$0.30 / lb-$0.24$0.30 - $0.30
11/27/2022$0.54 / lb+$0.04$0.54 - $0.54
8/12/2022$0.50 / lb+$0.10$0.50 - $0.50
7/6/2022$0.40 / lb-$0.02$0.40 - $0.40
5/30/2022$0.42 / lb-$0.10$0.42 - $0.42
5/23/2022$0.52 / lb+$0.02$0.52 - $0.52
5/21/2022$0.50 / lb-$0.02$0.50 - $0.50
5/14/2022$0.52 / lb+$0.07$0.52 - $0.52
3/19/2022$0.45 / lb-$0.05$0.45 - $0.45
12/4/2021$0.50 / lb+$0.08$0.50 - $0.50
8/23/2021$0.42 / lb+$0.12$0.42 - $0.42
1/27/2021$0.30 / lb+$0.07$0.30 - $0.30
12/1/2020$0.23 / lb+$0.06$0.23 - $0.23
8/9/2020$0.17 / lb-$0.01$0.17 - $0.17
4/8/2020$0.18 / lb-$0.02$0.18 - $0.18
12/16/2019$0.20 / lb-$0.03$0.20 - $0.20
9/16/2019$0.23 / lb-$0.12$0.23 - $0.23
8/23/2018$0.35 / lb+$0.05$0.35 - $0.35
8/6/2018$0.30 / lb+$0.01$0.30 - $0.30

Cashing in on Commercial Extrusions

When you are tearing out commercial storefronts or high-end residential windows, you are going to encounter Thermal Break Aluminum. This material consists of aluminum extrusions split by a tough plastic or rubber barrier designed to prevent heat transfer. Because it contains that non-metallic strip, it doesn't fetch clean extrusion prices, but it's still a heavy, high-yield material. Current data shows local scrap yards are paying anywhere from $0.50 to $0.80 per pound for properly prepared frames.

Prepping Your Load: Don't Let the Scale Beat You

The golden rule of the yard is simple: mixed loads get the lowest price. If you toss your valuable storefront frames into a bin filled with flimsy Aluminum Foil & Light Gauge, the scale operator is going to ticket the entire load at the light gauge rate. That simple lack of sorting will cost you roughly $0.50 per pound. Keep your structural window frames separated to ensure you get paid for the weight and quality you are actually hauling.

Yard Pro Tip: Do not waste hours trying to chisel or melt the plastic thermal strip out of the aluminum to upgrade it to clean extrusion. Without specialized heavy machinery, the labor time simply isn't worth the price bump. Instead, focus your energy on stripping out the real contaminants: remove all glass, rip out the weather stripping, and use a magnet to ensure all steel screws, iron brackets, and zinc die-cast handles are completely off the frame. That gets you top-tier Thermal Break pricing.

How Thermal Break Compares to Other Alloys

Because of the embedded plastic, thermal break sits in its own distinct category. It generally yields a high percentage of 6063 aluminum once processed, but you should understand the market spread. For comparison, heavier, clean Aluminum 6061 Structural is currently pulling $0.72 to $0.87/lb. Meanwhile, industrial sheet like Aluminum 5052 (Plate) ranges around $1.20 to $1.32/lb, and softer Aluminum 3003 brings in $0.30 to $0.70/lb. Knowing these tiers helps you understand where your material stands when negotiating across New Jersey.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do buyers determine the price for Thermal Break Aluminum?

Like most base metals, aluminum pricing is anchored to global markets. Scrap buyers track the LME spot price closely. They typically offer a rate that is about 45.6% below spot to account for the massive processing costs of chopping or smelting out the plastic thermal barrier.

What is the average payout right now?

Nationally, our tracking shows an average payout of $0.60 per pound. If you are hauling massive roll-off loads from a commercial demolition, you can often negotiate closer to the high end of the scale, provided the material is thoroughly clean of glass and steel attachments.

Will yards accept frames with the glass still in them?

Almost never. Most reputable yards across in New Jersey will outright reject window frames if the glass is still intact, or they will drastically downgrade it to dirty breakage for pennies on the dollar. Always smash out the glass, sweep it clean, and pull the steel screws before hitting the scale.