Every building contractor or interior designer looks for durable and affordable solutions for doors and windows in their residential projects. UPVC and aluminum windows are considered great options for new and renovation projects. However, if you are stuck between UPVC and aluminum frames, the coming sections could steer you in the right direction.
Aluminum and uPVC windows each have their distinguishing characteristics and advantages. However, it might be difficult to choose which material would be the ideal option since each has its unique characteristics and advantages.
To assist you in making a better and more well-informed selection, we have taken the advantages offered by each kind of material and divided them into manageable pieces.
Before we move into the specifics, let’s recap a little about uPVC and aluminum windows.
uPVC Windows
Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride is what UPVC is made of. This standard hard plastic material has become more popular for constructing windows and doors in recent years.
Polyvinyl chloride that has not been plasticized has excellent resistance to moisture, pollution, corrosion, and mold. The use of UPVC windows and vinyl frames has become popular due to their many distinct advantages, each of which is distinct.
Aluminum Windows
Aluminum is a strong and lightweight material, as is common knowledge. Aluminum has been producing windows and doors for a significant amount of time. Aluminum window frames are robust and long-lasting due to their make-up’s physical and structural composition. Additionally, using thin aluminum portions lends an air of beauty and helps successfully manage the load.
Choosing Between Aluminum Frame Windows and uPVC Windows
The following is a brief comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of UPVC windows and aluminum windows, which will assist you in honing in on your preference and making an educated selection that is ideal for your house.
#1. Choosing on the basis of durability
uPVC windows: Long-lasting windows made of UPVC do not decay or corrode like other window materials. They do not chip or peel even in the most severe circumstances the weather may throw at them. They do not cause the color to fade, and they do not alter the size or form. They can be used as impact windows since they can withstand harsh weather.
Aluminum windows: Windows made of aluminum are resistant to rusting. Whether you install awning windows, casement windows, or double hung windows, the harsh weather will not affect them. They do not expand or fracture when subjected to high temperatures. However, since aluminum has the propensity to rust and discolour due to oxidation in the presence of salty air, these windows are not particularly ideal for use in coastal locations.
#2. Choosing on the basis of a variety of options
uPVC windows: Windows made of UPVC Although UPVC windows also come in a range of colours, styles, and patterns, the selection of colours available for UPVC windows is more restricted than the selection of colours available for aluminum windows. This allows you to match the variety as per the required contemporary architectural styles.
Aluminum windows: Windows made of aluminum are available in various colours, designs, and finishes. There is an extremely broad range of options available. The vast majority of aluminum windows can be manufactured as either single-, double-, or even triple-glazed units. Aluminum windows provide a wider variety of colour choices than their UPVC counterparts.
#3. Choosing on the basis of environmental impact
uPVC windows: Eco-friendly UPVC windows UPVC windows can be recycled up to nearly ten times, making them an environmentally responsible choice. They are kind to the environment.
Aluminum windows: Aluminum is completely recyclable and may be recycled many times. Because of this, the material is good for the environment and may be used as a sustainable construction material as aluminum frames.
#4. Choosing on the basis of robustness
uPVC windows: UPVC windows are known for their robustness and longevity. They are not affected by the sun’s ultraviolet radiation if installed correctly. It does not corrode, rust, or flake in any way. Even in coastal regions, UPVC windows are an excellent choice.
Aluminum windows: While there’s no denying that aluminum windows provide superior strength and durability, it’s important to keep in mind that these panes may corrode and change colors over time. Whether you install double pane windows or triple pane, it is crucial that you keep it in mind.
5. Choosing on the basis of the level of insulation
uPVC windows: UPVC windows provide excellent sound and heat insulation. It is possible to obtain a high level of energy efficiency in one’s house by installing UPVC casement windows that are either double or triple-glazed. The interiors of UPVC buildings do not experience any heat loss or gain since this material is an inefficient heat conductor.
Aluminum windows: Aluminum windows provide a very low level of thermal insulation when used as home’s windows. The fact that the aluminum window does not provide enough insulation is the most significant disadvantage associated with this kind of window. In window terminology, thermal breaks can be used to minimize heat loss.
# 6. Choosing on the basis of maintenance requirements
uPVC windows: UPVC windows need little to no maintenance and are very easy to maintain. It is important to clean the UPVC windows by wiping them down with a dry cloth consistently.
Aluminum windows: Although aluminum is a material that holds up well over time, aluminum windows still need to be maintained regularly. To keep the windows in good condition, they must be painted regularly.
Benefits of uPVC Windows and Aluminum Windows At a Glance
uPVC windows
- uPVC window installation is extremely simple, and the windows require low maintenance.
- uPVC is a naturally warm material, and the multi-chambered frames of uPVC are ideal for insulation. This will help you decrease your heating expenses throughout the year’s colder months as it assists heat transfer.
- Compared to those produced with aluminum, windows constructed with uPVC often provide superior thermal insulation.
- Since uPVC is a lightweight material, installing uPVC windows, whether they are double or triple-glazed, can be accomplished in a very short amount of time.
- Your investment will be sustainable if you choose to go with uPVC since it has a lifespan of up to 20 years when maintained properly. They will also retain their original color and will not fade in any way throughout their lifetime.
Aluminum windows
- Aluminum is often more robust than uPVC. Due to the increased strength of the frames, aluminum windows may have a more streamlined look while also boasting a bigger total area of glass in their construction.
- Powder-coated aluminum is long-lasting, meaning your finish will hold up for a considerable time, no matter what. Windows made of aluminum and aluminum frames may often survive for up to 20 years.
- Windows made of aluminum are eco-friendly in addition to their other benefits. Aluminum may be recycled endlessly.
- Aluminum offers a wider variety of design possibilities than uPVC, particularly in color.
- Aluminum windows are constructed to endure some fairly harsh circumstances, and they are successful in testing conducted in severe exposure categories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Which is more cost-effective, vinyl frames or aluminum window frames?
First, let’s address the most pressing issue at hand, the elephant in the room. Compared with conventional uPVC, the installation cost of aluminum is almost always much more. This is due, in large part, to the expenses associated with production, which installers are regrettably required to make up for.
Because of the dramatic increase in demand for uPVC since its introduction in the 1980s, the price of this product has decreased significantly. Aluminum prices are now higher than those of uPVC, but they could be comparable in the future. In the meanwhile, aluminum is the more costly of the two materials.
Question 2: How does the energy efficiency of a double-glazed aluminum window frame compare to that of double-glazed uPVC windows?
While it is unfortunate that many of the original uPVC windows used in homes today have the reputation of being poor thermal insulators, current uPVC is exactly the reverse of this image.
The modern uPVC uses a sophisticated interior profile to retain as much heat as possible. Windows made of aluminum may be just as energy efficient as other materials.
Aluminum windows, equipped with a revolutionary thermal break made of polyamide, are similarly thermally retentive and will keep any house warmer for a longer period. You won’t go wrong with either aluminum or uPVC if you’re searching for an energy-efficient material.
Question 3: Which one has better soundproofing between uPVC and aluminum windows?
Insulation is one area where uPVC excels beyond aluminum, which is another way it outperforms aluminum. uPVC was developed initially to be an effective insulator, and as such, it offers the finest soundproofing potential for homeowners who live in a busy built-up region.
This is because uPVC was created to be an insulator. Although both frames may be double or triple-glazed, uPVC’s ability to keep out sound is frequently cited for its popularity. This is in contrast to aluminum, which cannot achieve this level of glazing.
Final Thoughts
Window choices for a modern, long-lasting, and reasonably priced house include UPVC windows and aluminum windows. Both have positive and negative aspects to consider. Because of their improved characteristics, these materials have become more desirable for use in residential settings.
There is never a shortage of discussion about which variety of window frames is superior. It is impossible to say which of these options is preferable to the other.
It is up to the individual to determine which qualities, including the budget, colours, patterns, and lifespan, are more acceptable for their taste and necessity in the discussion between UPVC windows and aluminum windows.
To have uPVC or aluminum windows designed for your commercial and residential property, contact Oridow. Oridow is an aluminum and uPVC manufacturer located in Fuzhou, China. Our team comprises certified personnel who deal in aluminum windows with integrated screens, uPVC hinged doors, and thermally broken aluminum windows. We offer a 20-year manufacturer’s warranty on all their products. To have aluminum windows and doors shipped, contact us at 86 137 5516 7195.
