In this post we want to tell you what are the main advantages and disadvantages of using aluminum or PVC windows, since it is one of the main questions our clients ask us and ultimately, the answer varies depending on the needs of each case. The use, location, orientation, brightness, budget, etc., can change.
The first thing to keep in mind is the type of profile with which the window is made, both in aluminum and in PVC, that is, what it is made of. And for this, we are going to show you some images to understand it better:
Cold aluminum carpentry
Aluminum with thermal break
Aluminum with thermal break (window frame)
Different aluminum profiles
With these drawings, we can distinguish which of these will give us thermal and acoustic insulation and which one will not.
A characteristic to take into account about aluminum is that it is a conductor material, and therefore, it connects the interior with the exterior. For this reason, the thermal break (TB) made of PVC or polyethylene is used to “break” this transmission.
To understand us, the red lines represent the transmission of aluminum, and as shown in the first image (cold carpentry), it goes from inside to outside without any impediment and DOES NOT INSULATE.
On the other hand, in the second and third, it DOES “break” this connection because it is made up of this bridge.
Main advantages of PVC windows
PVC profile
The main advantage of PVC is that by itself it is an insulating material and does not need other components to achieve good insulation.
I must say that the photo has three glass panes, but this is another part of the window that can be used equally in aluminum and that we will talk about another day.
What we have to pay attention to when observing a PVC profile is the metal reinforcement it carries inside and that some do not have. This reinforcement is necessary because PVC is a plastic and has dilations due to temperature changes and in the long run, if it doesn't have it, it can have some deformation problems.
Some time we have also been asked if a white window can turn yellowish, and this is something that happened years ago and that today it is already solved.
Aesthetic difference between aluminum and PVC window
Another difference worth noting is the visual impact. As shown in the previous photo, we can see that aluminum, in this case with a hidden sash profile (narrower profile) helps us get more glass surface, and therefore, more light will enter inside the house.
This is because aluminum is a much harder material, and therefore, the profiles can be made narrower than PVC.
Conclusion
We could say that operable PVC windows are efficient due to the good insulation they have and also for price, since they are more economical than aluminum ones.
However, aluminum ones are better from the point of view of durability, aesthetics and, with a good thermal break, also for insulation because aluminum remains intact for more years than PVC.
It is for this reason that in the end it is the preferences and needs of each person that determines which model to choose.
In this post we have talked about operable windows, since sliding windows are another type of profiles and closures, and therefore, the result is different. For this reason, we want to dedicate another post with the details of each one and give a better explanation.
For any questions, do not hesitate to write to us through any medium and we will be delighted to answer!
