Looking at updating some old windows at home?
You may be wondering whether to buy UPVC or aluminium windows. Rushing into a decision is not advisable, as you need to consider the impact theyโll have on energy bills, how theyโll complement home style and the care they need. We can offer you the required insight on UPVC vs aluminium windows to help make choosing between the two materials a piece of cake.
What Do Both Look Like?
Aluminium windows are identified by their amazingly sleek design, with incredibly slim frames and large glass expanses, offering maximum sightlines. Theyโre popularly installed at contemporary residences and often specified when optimum light gain and unspoilt views is sought within home interiors.
UPVC windows tend to be favoured by homeowners wishing to own windows that closely replicate the appearance of wooden frames and donโt require the constant treatment that timber openings demand. When adorning a woodgrain foil finish, UPVC windows suit traditional and period dwellings particularly well.
Which Endure Longest & Require Least Upkeep?
30-40 years is a realistic timescale for aluminium windows, as they can resist weathering and will retain their colossal strength. A powder-coated finish prevents the emergence of fading, corrosion and peeling.
Typically, UPVC windows last 20-30 years, which is a testament to their robustness and weatherproofing abilities. Quality UPVC profiles wonโt become subject to discolouration, staining etc., if exposed to direct sunlight.
Both can be maintained easily, entailing an occasional wiping of the frames with a soft cloth and warm soapy water, infrequent lubrication of components, and the odd checking of seals and gaskets.
Can They Save Me Money?
They sure will and can eventually pay for themselves through energy savings.
A modern double or triple glazed UPVC window can realise a U-value as low as 1.2 W/mยฒK and contemporary thermally broken aluminium systems come close to matching that U-value.
Try to look past the added cost of buying aluminium windows and be mindful of their prolonged lifespan and extra durability. In any case, you may be happy to invest further for aluminium window openings because of their amazing visual appeal.
Thereโs no winner or loser either way in the ongoing debate about aluminium vs UPVC windows. It all comes down to which material is the best fit for the house you live in.
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