uPVC Windows Guide

Time and fashion move on in all things and this is true of window production also.  When window replacement in favour of double glazing windows became the fashion nigh on 40 years ago, the aluminum window was the most popular choice to replace the humble timber window, which had been doing its job from time immemorial.

In a relatively short space of time aluminum windows moved from being a relatively new product on the market to holding well over 50% of market share.  This was due to several factors.  Aluminum did not cost as much to produce as timber, it could be made in suitable lengths for most window sizes, and it was and is a very strong product that would last for a long time and needed little attention.

However as stars rise they can also fall and once uPVC windows and other uPVC products such as doors and uPVC cladding came onto the market strongly about 20 years ago, the fall in sales of aluminum window units has been steady and inexorable.

So what makes uPVC windows and doors so good that they are able to dominate the replacement window market ahead of a window that was hailed as a breakthrough in window production just a few years earlier?

One of the main problems that aluminum had at that time was an unfortunate ability to conduct cold and heat.  This may be an admirable talent in other products, however it is not something that window manufacturers or homeowners yearn for in their windows.  In more recent times the manufacturers of aluminum windows were able to tackle this problem by fitting thermal breaks into aluminum window frames and this helped to reduce the conductivity of these windows, but by this time uPVC house windows had gained a strong foothold.

The main issue with windows made from aluminum is that they seem to be able to out-perform timber windows on a variety of fronts, but they are either only able to equal the performance of uPVC double glazed windows or else the under-perform slightly against them.

uPVC window prices and the cost of aluminium windows are pretty equal when it comes to cost competitiveness for example, whereas windows made from both of these products can be produced cheaper than timber windows.

Aluminum and uPVC windows are very easy to maintain during their lifetimes.  Timber needs reasonably frequent re-painting or it may suffer from weather related deterioration.

However there is one factor that keeps aluminium in peoples consciousness when it comes to window installation and that is security.  Aluminum window frames are very strong, stronger than uPVC frames and this makes aluminium storm windows an excellent option for strong adverse weather conditions, and aluminium windows in general are a popular choice when security of the home is of paramount importance.

In these present times of homeowners both being away from the house during the day due to work commitments, this can be a compelling reason not to discard totally from your mind aluminum replacement windows.

In the same way that homeowners weigh up various factors, such as price competitiveness, attractiveness, ease of use, maintenance, durability and other factors with regard to any product for the home, the same has to be done when you are trying to decide between a timber, uPVC or an aluminum window.  Window frames made from alumimum may not be ‘top of the pops’ anymore, but it is perhaps too soon to consider writing them off.

Related posts:

1. Nine Interesting Points Regarding A PVC Window.
2. House Windows – A Guide To Different Styles.
3. uPVC or Wooden Window Frames?
4. Disadvantages Of uPVC Windows?
5. Window Glazing For Homeowners Explained