Aluminium Windows Buying Guide

Aluminium windows are an increasingly common adornment on residential homes and apartment buildings, though wood and vinyl windows currently hold over seventy percent of the window market share for residential buildings. Wood windows might have a certain aesthetic appeal, and vinyl windows are a cheap step up from wood windows. Aluminum windows, however, are superior in terms of noise reduction within the home.

Aluminium windows have long dominated the commercial market in new and recently retrofitted buildings. Aside from their amazing versatility and longevity, aluminum windows manage to reduce noise while occupying far less space than wood or vinyl window options. For instance, a 1.5 inch thick aluminum window frame significantly outperforms a 2 inch thick vinyl window frame in terms of noise reduction, even with a single pane of glass. When comparing aluminum to vinyl with dual panes of glass, the aluminum frame will always prove to be vastly superior to vinyl window frame options. In the case of dual pane windows, aluminum frames can provide between 10 and 20 additional decibels worth of noise protection.

Aluminum windows also exhibit a remarkable amount of strength while remaining comparatively low-weight compared to other building materials. As such, aluminum windows are the best option when installing windows into unusually shaped spaces, or when implementing innovative or creative window designs.

Choosing an aluminum window is also extremely economical. Though wood or vinyl windows might undercut the price of aluminum windows at the time of initial purchase and installation, aluminum windows tend to have a lower overall lifetime maintenance cost, which can significantly reduce the overall cost of ownership in the long term. Aluminum windows are relatively maintenance free, unlike wood or vinyl windows, which are suspect to rotting, mold and mildew, and damage from water and exposure to sunlight. Properly installed aluminum windows with a high-quality finish are susceptible to none of these damaging influences. Further, aluminium windows allow for innovation in the design of the window and frame itself. Some aluminum windows offer advantages such as the ability to remove the windowpanes from their track, in order to facilitate faster and easier cleaning of the window glass. This can be a remarkable convenience in buildings with multiple stories. Aluminum windows are three times stronger than vinyl windows, and nearly thirty to forty times stronger than wood windows. They also resist swelling, splitting, rust, shrinkage, and resistance to bad weather.

ALuminium Windows Are Among Consumers Most Liked Aesthically

Aluminum windows are far from ugly – which is something that many consumers first think when considering aluminum windows. Modern aluminum windows come in an extremely versatile array of options, including various molded designs. They are also available in a large palate of colors and finishes, guaranteeing that aluminum windows can integrate into any home, office, or industrial design.

Some aluminium windows are custom designed to save on energy costs. Though bare aluminum windows are definitely worse at insulating when compared to wood or vinyl options, insulating aluminum window options are definitely worth the extra expense. By most estimates, investing in energy-conserving insulated aluminum windows can actually pay for itself in 3-7 years depending on the cost of the windows and the local climate. These windows pay for themselves by lowering overall energy costs – during the summer, one has to spend less money cooling the building; during the winter, one has to spend less money heating the building. As such, these windows are not only an economical option, but offer the advantage of conserving precious natural resources and promoting environmental friendliness. Depending on state or local laws, the installation cost of “green” technologies such as insulating aluminum windows might actually yield certain tax benefits. When considered over time, the insulated aluminum window also starts paying the owner of the building back, as long-term energy costs are slashed.

Aluminum windows are also less susceptible to have their paint/outer coating damaged by UV rays. Acrylic and wood options will inevitably suffer damage as the result of ultraviolet rays from the sun. Aluminum windows, however, are able to take on a number of protective coatings that do not bind to or would otherwise destroy wood or acrylic windows. Some aluminum windows are also designed to help eliminate or mitigate condensation issues, by means of venting systems otherwise impossible when using other materials. Such systems can also be utilized to reduce the risk of heat damage to stained glass and specialty windows.

Aluminum window frames and storm windows are also known for resistance to extreme weather. They offer a comparatively better chance of resisting strong winds across large areas of glass, and tend to stand up better to impacts against the frame, even when the affected part of the frame is not supported by an adjoining wall.

The primary disadvantages often levied against aluminum windows include their tendency to suffer from condensation, and their poor insulating qualities. These criticisms only hold weight against cheaper brands and models of aluminum windows. In some industrial and commercial contexts, these disadvantages might not even matter, depending on where the windows are installed. In residential contexts, however, the window installer should ideally work with the consumer to ensure that these issues are addressed by the installation of proper insulation around the window frame, and sometimes within the hollow areas of the aluminum itself. This will help reduce the overall risk of condensation, and improve the energy efficiency of the windows. Most quality energy-efficient aluminum windows will already have these provisions in place, or call for installation protocols that ensure maximum performance from the window.

Overall, aluminium windows are a great investment when replacing existing windows, or when constructing a new building. They are comparatively cheap, offer better noise protection, resistance to the elements, and more durability and strength than other potential window options. They are offered in a variety of colors and styles that are sure to match nearly any sort of architectural design, and offer the possibility of installing otherwise impossible window designs that offer uncompromising views and aesthetic charm. Energy efficiency models can also pay for themselves and yield valuable long term savings on energy costs.