The thermal expansion characteristics of some lithium aluminium germanium borosilicate glasses and their crystalline solids have been investigated. The base glass composition was modified by partial replacement of germanium dioxide instead of silica. In some cases, however, TiO2 was also added to some selected glasses as a nucleation catalyst. Slight increase in the thermal expansion coefficient (a) values of the glasses and corresponding slight decrease in both transition (T,) and softening (T,) temperatures are detected by GeO2/SiO2 replacements, however, the reverse results were recorded by TiO2 addition. The obtained data were correlated to the local structure changes induced by GeO2 or TiO2 and their contributions to the thermal expansion property of the glasses. On the crystallization, the expansivity of the glasses was markedly changed. It was greatly affected by crystallization of GeO2-containing phases and aluminosilicate solid solutions together with the TiO2-containing phases formed. The results obtained were explained in relation to the nature, composition and concentration of all phases formed in the glass-ceramics including a residual glass matrix.