Aluminium windows have recently become the material of choice when it comes to finishing modern homes and, more increasingly, renovating period-style properties.
Glazing plays a huge part in defining new builds’ elevations and refreshing an existing homes’ kerb appeal. It’s therefore worth prioritising your time when it comes to designing the way you want them to look.
Sleek and versatile, aluminium windows come in all shapes, sizes and colours. However, it pays to be savvy in your shopping and look out for the best value for money. This means watching out for build quality in terms of finish and security, not just the cheapest price.
One of the main attractions to aluminium windows is their slim sightlines that won’t break up or look out of place against a large expanse of glazing but there are many more practical advantages to choosing aluminium frames over other materials:
AFFORDABILITY
One benefit of aluminium windows is that they can be significantly cheaper than other window frames. For example, wooden frames such as timber can cost a lot more than aluminium windows and require attentive maintenance. Plastic frames such as uPVC can be cheaper than aluminium. However, uPVC frames are more likely to degrade over time, and thus can work out more costly in the long run.
DURABILITY
Aluminium windows have can last up to 30 years. This is because, aluminium is considerably more resistant to the outside elements compared to other frames, making them less likely to warp or rot as a result. Aluminium also has a high strength-to-weight ratio, making them harder to dent.
EASY TO MAINTAIN
While also being durable, aluminium windows have the added advantage of being easy to maintain. Different finishes may require more care than other, but overall a quick clean of the glass and frame every 2-4 months will help remove dirt and keep the windows looking shiny.
SUITABILITY FOR MANY DESIGNS
Due to how aluminium is manufactured, these windows can easily meet your exact design specifications while maintaining the inherent strength of the material. Furthermore, there is a large variety of customisations from glassing options to finishes in a wide range of colours.
THERMAL EFFICIENCY
Aluminium windows can easily achieve improvements in heat gain and heat loss through windows by as much as 60 per cent when combined with a thermal break, rivalling more expensive timber and uPVC equivalents. This is in part due to the introduction of polyamide technology, which has taken the energy performance of aluminium glazing to entirely new levels, providing key benefits to homeowners and business owners alike seeking to save on energy bills.
ECO FRIENDLY
Aluminium is also a fully sustainable product. It’s 100% recyclable and non-toxic, leaving a minimal ecological footprint. Recycling aluminium itself requires just five per cent of the initial energy consumed to create it.