For many years now, the popularity of aluminum and PVC windows has been steadily increasing. Both systems have their advantages and disadvantages, and we’ll try to resolve at least some of the dilemmas you may have when it’s time to replace your worn-out windows.
Aluminum and PVC windows have become indispensable in modern commercial buildings due to one of the most obvious advantages over traditional wooden windows – they require no maintenance. This alone is reason enough for most people to install aluminum or PVC windows and doors on their private properties when their existing ones, usually made of wood, become completely worn out.
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The advantages of modern materials are numerous, ranging from durability, resistance to moisture, to significantly better insulation from external noise, making them an ideal solution in urban environments.
Advantages and Disadvantages of PVC
The big question arises – aluminum or PVC? Both solutions have certain advantages and disadvantages. The best insulation for a space is achieved with PVC, as plastic itself is an insulating material with a low thermal conductivity factor.
This means minimal heat energy loss during cold months with such windows. PVC windows are internally reinforced with steel profiles to provide adequate rigidity for larger windows. In quality PVC windows, the metal reinforcements inside PVC profiles are galvanized to maintain PVC’s greatest advantage, which is moisture resistance. Before purchasing, it’s essential to verify this information, which must be included in the product specification.
Sealing is done with gray silicone gaskets on the frame and sash, capable of withstanding thermal stress due to various weather conditions, as they can withstand the PVC welding temperature. With PVC windows, you can choose from over twenty colors and decors, which is sufficient but not on par with aluminum windows, where the color palette is practically unlimited. One of the color variants is a faithful wood imitation.
The biggest drawback of PVC windows, which won’t deter most end-users, is that they degrade slowly in nature, thereby permanently polluting it. Additionally, larger sashes lack rigidity. Try a small test – if you grab the sash by the lower corner and shake it left and right, the upper part bends approximately 3 cm (aprox. 1 inch). This can easily discourage you from buying because it raises questions about how well the window seals and how it will seal after several years. That’s why PVC is ideal for smaller window openings and doors.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Aluminum
Aluminum windows have many more virtues than PVC but also one significant drawback. They have much worse insulation properties because aluminum is an excellent heat conductor. In construction, this property is usually undesirable, especially concerning windows, as it leads to poorer thermal insulation of the house, and larger temperature differences can cause condensation.
Due to this property, aluminum profiles are basically divided into those with and without a thermal break (so-called warm and cold profiles). Profiles without a thermal break are more affordable, but if energy savings matter even a little to you, you should avoid such profiles for external walls.
Where to use such profiles? Windows and doors made of such profiles are ideal at building entrances, for separating heated spaces within a building, meaning in all places where there’s not a significant temperature difference on both sides of the window or door.
Therefore, windows and doors with a thermal break are not suitable for the external windows of residential buildings, where the temperature difference on both sides can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius during winter.
The advantage of aluminum windows is that they maintain their appearance over the years. Also, one of the main advantages of aluminum windows is their resistance to all weather conditions and generally show greater durability than PVC.
The lifespan of aluminum windows is significantly longer than that of PVC windows. In addition to longevity and reliability, they also have an advantage over PVC windows in terms of aesthetics. Namely, aluminum windows come in almost unlimited color combinations, which is of great importance to some clients.
Aluminum windows are lighter than PVC windows, so they are often used for larger openings. Their strength ensures the stability of installed elements. While less important to most people, the difference between PVC and aluminum windows is also in their environmental acceptability, as aluminum windows are made from a material that can be fully recycled, thus not negatively affecting the natural environment.
The most expensive and highest quality, both aesthetically and in terms of properties, are windows made of a combination of wood and aluminum. Aluminum resistant to rain and sun is on the outside, while on the inside, there’s ecological, warm, and pleasant wood. However, this is the most expensive option, usually found only in the most luxurious buildings.
Maintenance of Aluminum and PVC Windows
After installing PVC windows, both doors and windows usually need adjustment and tuning because it takes some time for them to “settle” after installation, and for everything to fall into place. PVC profiles, through their multiple polishing during production, hinder the adherence of dirt from the air and rain, but over time and exposure to atmospheric conditions, there is a need for maintenance and cleaning. Dirty window frames can be easily cleaned with water and a non-abrasive cleaning agent.
Avoid aggressive maintenance agents or those containing solvents, benzene, or strong acids; dishwashing detergent or a damp cloth are usually sufficient. Periodically clean the water drainage openings to prevent overflow and water leakage during stormy rains. It’s advisable to lubricate the fittings with machine oil or WD spray once a year, and it would be good to apply paraffin oil to the gaskets once a year for protection. It’s recommended to do this before winter.
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