Systems and DesignPVC windows or Aluminum windows. Which to choose?

It is the big question: PVC or aluminum windows? Which one is better? Which one should I choose and why?

Actually, it is not fair to give an absolute answer to this question. PVC and aluminum are two very different materials with different values that can meet different needs. So, first of all, we always recommend that you seek the advice of a good professional in window sales and installation who can help you determine the characteristics of your home and choose the option that allows you to enjoy the best quality of life.

Of course, it is also not fair to compare the best and best-equipped PVC window with the simplest aluminum window, or the best aluminum with the simplest PVC window.

That said, we want to offer you a comprehensive but simple guide to the features of each of these windows, highlighting their merits and weaknesses.

We hope it will be of great help to you.

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Comparison of PVC and aluminum windows and doors. What to consider

1. Thermal and acoustic insulation performance . Which material is more insulating and will allow me to enjoy greater comfort and quality of life?
2. Contribution to savings. Which window can help me save on heating and air conditioning bills?
3. Energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. Which material has the least impact on the climate and the environment?
4. Strength and durability. Which system will be best preserved over the years?
5. Home security. With which system can I have more peace of mind?
6. Aesthetic possibilities . Which window best suits the style of my home?

Of course, a seventh point to consider would be price, although it does not seem to us to be the most relevant aspect. However, we will try to present a reasonable comparison.

 

Advantages of a PVC window over an aluminum window

• First of all, PVC is a material 1,100 times more insulating than aluminum, so the PVC windows offer greater thermal and acoustic insulation. This translates into greater comfort, savings and energy efficiency. And not only because of the material itself, but also because the corners of PVC windows are hermetically welded, not screwed, which gives them greater strength and prevents air from escaping from the outside.
• In this regard, a study by the Government's Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade ( study ) concluded, after analyzing 14 types of windows, those that save the most energy and help reduce CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere are PVC windows.
• Delving into this theme of ecological friendliness and environmental protection, PVC is a resin composed of 57 percent common salt, a virtually inexhaustible and natural material . And it is 100% recyclable.
• The maintenance of PVC is very simple: only soap and water is needed because it remains unaffected by the effects of climate and pollution. Because of these properties, PVC is a very strong and durable material. A good PVC window is for life.
• PVC profiles, designed with several air chambers inside to increase their insulating performance, are reinforced with galvanized steel to ensure their solidity and structural strength. In fact, Max Line Plus PVC windows, are also able to provide protection against intruders.
• In addition, PVC is a self-extinguishing and hardly flammable material, does not spread flames or drip.
• The aesthetic part was, 30 years ago, the weak point of PVC windows and doors, which could hardly escape the basic white color. However, nowadays and thanks to the development of the foliate technique, PVC windows are able to perfectly imitate both wood and metal, with smooth or even textured finishes, with different finish for the exterior and interior.

 

SEE ALSO: Frequent mistakes when changing home windows

Advantages of aluminum over PVC

• Aluminum windows have emerged as an economical alternative to very expensive wood windows. Over the years, they have established themselves as thepreferred option for exterior carpentry, competing directly with PVC windows and doors.
• To improve their insulating performance, aluminum profiles can be fitted with a RPT thermal bridge breaker , plastic part that is placed between the metal exteriors to reduce heat and energy losses, thus increasing their efficiency.
• Aluminum is a lightweight and very durable metal that, when lacquered and preserved from contact with water and air, is protected from corrosion and offers a long service life.
• On an aesthetic level, aluminum windows and doors have unparalleled adaptability. They are offered in an almost unlimited range of colors, woods and metal finishes, either through lacquering or leafing.
• In addition, aluminum is a very versatile material in any job, as there are countless complementary profiles and systems that make it capable of adapting to all kinds of straight and curved sizes and shapes and solving the most complex design challenges.

Thermal transmittance U values between PVC windows and doors and aluminum windows and doors

The U-value, or thermal transmittance, is one of the concepts that has aroused and continues to arouse the most doubt and deception in this field. 

Without wanting to go into very technical aspects, transmittance represents the rate at which the window lets cold and heat in and out. Therefore, the lower the transmittance, the greater the comfort.

U values for different parts of the window

We can talk about U values of different pieces: the U of glazing (Ug), the U of the profile (Uf) and the U of the complete window (Uw).

The glass is usually the most insulating element of the window and therefore the U of the glass (Ug) the smallest. Advertising the thermal transmittance of the glazing as if it were that of the entire window , labeled U minus the subscript g, is misleading to the consumer.

In addition, the transmittance of the finished window depends on both its size and the proportion of the glass, so it is not possible to compare two Uws without having other data.

PVC and aluminum price comparison

As anticipated, the selling price does not seem to us to be the most relevant aspect in this comparison.
A product is not expensive because its price is high, but because it does not offer the equivalent value that justifies the investment.

In addition, the sale price does not reflect future costs or savings. Higher-priced windows may be the cheapest option if the maintenance cost is very low and if each month helps us save on our heating or cooling bill.

The truth is that aluminum is more expensive and less insulating than PVC. Therefore, an aluminum window will be more expensive than a PVC window with the same characteristics. And if an aluminum window and a PVC window are the same price, the latter will offer much higher efficiency and thermal and acoustic insulation.

There are many models and brands of windows made of one material and the other, but to offer a realistic figure, a 70mm deep RPT aluminum window can be priced 20 percent higher, or even more, than a PVC window of the same depth and performance.

Within each material, the differences between some types of windows or others can also be considerable.

Of course, the price of a PVC window of Asian origin, with 57 mm depth and 3 chambers, single glazing and simple hardware, cannot be compared to the price of a Max Line Plus, 82 mm depth and 6 chambers in the PVC ALLPAINT profile, triple glazing is also available with concealed hinges.

However, the Asian window is definitely more expensive because it cannot offer the minimum levels of comfort or security in the home, cannot contribute to any savings because of its huge energy losses, nor will it have the same durability.

And so the next question is answered....

Are all PVC windows the same?

No, not all PVC windows are the same. Not much less.

A window is the sum of the efforts and values of many actors in the same value chain. All links must be equally strong to ensure the quality of the final product. A good window installed poorly loses all its benefits.

A window with low-value and dubious components cannot compete with a certified window.

A window that brings together the best components from leading suppliers, manufactured by a company with long experience and proven solvency, and installed by a team of qualified specialists, is a winning bet.

How to compare two uPVC windows

When comparing two PVC windows, a number of features must be considered:

• The certifications of window quality, efficiency and safety
• The quality classification of profiles
• The number of insulation chambers within the frames and sashes, as well as the incorporation of internal reinforcement.
• The depth of the profiles.
• The depth and type of glazing.
• The characteristics of the hardware, which can be simple or perimeter, with simple or security bolts or fasteners.
• Who are the suppliers of each of these components, which can be small companies or global groups that are leaders in their field.
• The ' experience and solvency of the window fitter and the distributor-installer.

Let's say that Max Line Plus is the PVC window frame with certified quality.

Our experience exceeds 30 years and dates back to 1989. And all our window and door installers are selected for their experience, professionalism and more than proven training to successfully tackle a wide variety of new construction and renovation projects.