Aluminium or UPVC Windows? What You Need to Know

Aluminium windows win out for how long do windows last, but UPVC windows are equally simple to maintain.

30-40 years is the typical lifespan of an aluminium window, owing to the immense strength of the material and its ability to protect against weathering. Application of a powder-coated finish ensures that no fading, corrosion or peeling occurs.

The predicted lifespan of UPVC windows is 20-30 years. They have superb durability too and can combat weather conditions, but that doesn’t apply to low-standard UPVC profiles, notorious for discolouring, staining and becoming brittle when exposed to the sun and temperature swings.

Traditional timber demands far more upkeep than aluminium and UPVC, which can be cared for as follows:

• Carefully apply a non-abrasive cloth to dirty frames to wipe them clean with the use of warm soapy water.
• Lubricate the window components every few months.
• Inspect the seals and gaskets now and again.

If specified to include reliable locking and glazing, aluminium and UPVC double and triple glazing windows both manage to provide dependable security for homes.

Very rarely will a modern aluminium or UPVC energy efficient window not incorporate a multi-lock point, which fixes the window at several points, vastly reducing the possibility of burglary.

The rigidity of aluminium stops any bending or warping of the material, which puts a block on break-ins. UPVC doesn’t quite manage to replicate its toughness, but it’s as secure thanks to robust hardware and a reinforced lock.

Frames are only one component of security. They rely on secure locks, hinges and glazing in order to keep homes safe from intrusion.

There’s no question about that as a modern-day UPVC window has a U-value of about 1.2 W/m²K and aluminium windows attain a similar figure, denoting outstanding insulation.

Separating the glass panes is an insulating gas, designed to restrict heat loss and uplift comfort and energy savings. Aluminium frames incorporate thermal breaks that disrupt heat flow through the material, crucial to them rivalling the insulation of UPVC.

Insulating windows will nurture tremendous warmth in the winter months and cool your living areas in summer, allowing you to minimise use of heating and air conditioning systems. Lowered energy consumption will result in cheaper heating bills and a greener home.

We discussed how to insulate windows recently, pointing to how you can improve the thermal capabilities of energy-efficient windows.

Aluminium windows encapsulate contemporary design, exuding class with ultra-slim frames that provide massively undisturbed sightlines. They’re able to have such a slim frame composition and support large glazed facets because of possessing considerable strength. People often choose aluminium windows for modern dwellings and when optimum light gain is wanted.

UPVC windows can echo the appearance of classic wooden windows and subsequently suit traditional and period homes. Adoption of woodgrain foil finishes into UPVC material creates a traditional window aesthetic, with the bonus of UPVC being much simpler to treat than wood.

Practically any RAL colour can be recreated for powder-coated application onto aluminium frames, ushering a legion of colour possibilities.

There’s a limited choice of foil finishes for UPVC, but they include a good mix of woodgrain effects and contemporary tones.

For the best of both worlds, you could always unite the two materials around the house – an aluminium bi-folding door or sliding door twins nicely with UPVC window frames if they’re finished in complementary colours.