Are Aluminium Windows Better Than Wood?

Although the general public may assume otherwise, not all windows are created equal.

Evaluating the current skylight material is crucial to determine if it makes sense for the property before undertaking a window replacement job.

Some materials may prove more useful than others in your particular application.

This article compares and contrasts wooden windows with aluminium ones.

Most of the windows in our homes are made of wood or aluminium. Therefore, professionals and amateurs in the construction sector have the utmost respect for these two joinery methods.

Everyone has their preferred approach, and most people have good reasons for it.

Because both aluminium and wood have their advantages and disadvantages when used for joinery. You get to choose the joinery that works best for your house.

Choosing the Best Furniture and Home Accessories

There are benefits and advantages to both wooden and aluminium window frames.

Things like energy consumption, upkeep, rustproofing, and ecological consequences should all be taken into account. However, before settling on a course of action, it's wise to weigh the pros and cons of your available choices.

Aluminium and wooden windows are very comparable in many ways.

Wooden or aluminium windows serve two primary purposes:

• First, let natural light enter a room from the outside.
• Put up a wall as protection from the weather.
• Fixed (non-moving) and operable (operable) windows are available in both materials.

These are the commonalities between wooden and aluminium windows, but that's about all.

As you get past their primary purposes, you'll notice they're different. Let's talk about just how their functionality and appearance evolve with time.

Why You Should Install Wooden Windows

• Producing wooden frames uses less energy, making them more eco-friendly.
• Take in more carbon dioxide than they give off, helping keep the planet cool.
• It's possible that using natural insulation can reduce your monthly energy costs.
• Wooden window frames are a timeless and beautiful addition to any new or old structure.
• Available in a wide range of styles

Why You Shouldn't Use Wooden Joinery

• Staining and varnishing, sandpaper, and protecting it from the elements are all part of the ongoing maintenance that must be performed.
• Typically more costly than their aluminium equivalent
• It could be out of place in a more modern home
• Heavier than typical window frames
• Wooden windows are a common feature of older homes. Nevertheless, due to their benefits and compatibility with specific house types, they are being used more frequently in modern buildings.
• Aluminum is rapidly displacing wood as the material of choice for home makeovers. However, aluminium windows have their own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of Aluminum Window

• Substitute for expensive wooden frames
• Fewer repairs
• They won't rot or warp, making them exceptionally durable.
• Lightweight
• Distinct from one another in form and proportion

Disadvantages of Using Aluminum Joinery

• Condensation may form.
• It is not an effective insulator because of its high thermal conductivity.

Comparing Aluminum and Wood Windows

The framing material you select is crucial, so give it some thought. Your final decision will have far-reaching effects on the installation's final cost, lifespan, energy efficiency, maintenance requirements, and more. Therefore, it's important to think carefully about your window material options before deciding.

Durability

Windows with an aluminium coating are incredibly dependable and long-lasting.

Aluminium-wrapped window frames, with proper maintenance, can last for decades.

However, wood windows can warp, shrink, and swell with the change in humidity and temperature throughout the year.

If the window seal is broken, water could leak into the wooden frame, causing the window to need replacing.

Expertly constructed aluminium windows are more likely to last for several decades than their wooden counterparts of similar quality.

Aluminum's many uses reflect the metal's adaptability.

It is employed in window frames and can be moulded into any form without further maintenance.

Compared to their aluminium counterparts, wood windows are more cumbersome and difficult to shape, limiting the range of possible window designs. However, it's a very flexible building material regarding craftsmanship and colour options.

Aluminium frames require less maintenance than wooden ones, which may be a selling point for some homeowners.

Every window should be washed once a year to eliminate the built-up trash and spot any imperfections.

Homeowners may need to begin repainting or refinishing wooden window frames after a few years to protect them from the elements.

Clad wood windows are a practical alternative to solid wood ones. Cladded wood is an additional layer of protection against the elements offered by all the window frame manufacturers we work with.

Aluminium windows require little upkeep, but their corrosion resistance can be compromised by exposure to airborne abrasives or constant high humidity.

House Value

Though more expensive than vinyl but rather solid aluminium, homeowners have strongly preferred aluminium-clad windows.

Wood windows are much more costly than other windows, but they improve a home's kerb appeal. So individuals have nothing to lose with either of these choices if they want to maximise their profit from selling their homes.

Cost

Although the overall cost of window substitution will vary widely depending on the number of units being replaced and the style options you selected, aluminium is frequently significantly more premium than wood.

Aluminium windows can save you money compared to their wooden counterparts.

If your home has wood windows, maintaining their condition and enhancing their aesthetic value may be worthwhile investments.

Since it requires a great deal of time to plant trees and then move them, wood (or lumber) is a limited resource.

Making wooden windows by hand is more labour-intensive than making windows out of other materials. However, certain types may be mass-produced with greater efficiency through computer-controlled or machine processes.

Aluminum, in contrast to wood, is cheap but must go through a different manufacturing process before being suitable for use.

Modern aluminium extrusions use a composite material that consists of aluminium and some other components, even though aluminium is a mineral.

Frames are manufactured via an extrusion process using aluminium profiles and die.

Maintenance

Due to its organic nature, wood warps when exposed to moisture. Wood, on the other hand, does not attract condensation.

If high-quality windows are installed, water damage becomes a smaller issue, but they require a little extra upkeep, especially in humid locations.

Having aluminium windows installed eliminates a potential problem, as they will never warp.

The metal is impervious to the effects of any climate or weather and requires no special maintenance.

It's important to remember that the maintenance requirements of your windows may change depending on the style you select.

Compared to single or double-hung windows, sliding windows are much easier to clean and maintain.

Colours and Completion

It's not fair to ask which window is more attractive. Depending on who you question, you may get a different answer.

The attractiveness of the display case affects customers' willingness to make a purchase.

If aesthetics are more vital to you than energy efficiency, think about the architectonic style of your home, the homes around it, and the views you hope to create.

The material influences the number of exterior features that can be seen and the variety of window shapes and sizes.

The warmth and beauty of wood make it a classic material for windows.

Traditional wooden window styles come in various shapes, sizes, and finishes. However, in contrast to aluminium windows, its limited construction flexibility limits the variety of shapes that can be achieved.

Persons are sometimes demotivated from using wood because of its price and upkeep. In addition, wood is a heavy but instead thick material.

Because of its natural and handcrafted appearance, synthetic materials like vinyl often imitate wood.

Windows made of faux wood will never be as nice as the real thing.

Unlike wood and other common building materials, aluminium may be easily shaped.

This material's malleability allows for the creation of elaborate window patterns. Furthermore, due to the light and sturdy nature of aluminium, the thin window profile pictures can support enormous panes of glass.

This could be intriguing to people who enjoy modern design and sweeping vistas.

Wood windows, which are more expensive but aesthetically pleasing, are best for more conventional, high-end homes, while aluminium windows are fine for contemporary, minimalist homes.

Conservation of Energy

Wooden windows are far more energy efficient than aluminium ones. Aluminum's ability to conduct heat quickly is one of its most useful properties.

There will be less chance of heat loss from within because wood is still a poor heat conductor.

Aluminium window frames will cause heat loss in the cold and gain in the summer, while wood window frames will have the opposite effect.

While aluminium window frames have quite a high level of thermal transmission, this can be mitigated by adding a thermal break, which serves as insulation. Nevertheless, the issue of heat transfer persists, unfortunately.

Another renewable energy component to consider is the window glass material's effect.

When the weather outside changes, the glass package shifts around in the window frame and affects the window's efficiency.

Wooden items have a lower coefficient of expansion than aluminium ones. The range of motion of a window's beam and sash varies from one type of window to another because of the different materials used in their construction.

The security of your double-sealed windows depends on your remembering this.

Constant expansion and contraction stress the window seal, which can eventually break. A major complaint with hydrogen in double, triple-pane windows is seal failure, also identified as "glass failure," which results in rapid loss of gas and the extra airtightness it provides.

In another article, we'll go into how window frames use a toxic-free, odourless gas.

Because the insulating gas used in windows is colourless and odourless, a leak can be hard to detect.

Fogging or condensation on the inside of the window is another indication that the seal has broken.

Additional Advantages of Aluminium Windows

Aluminum is quite rigid and doesn't easily lose its shape. As a result, it remains unaffected by harsh climate conditions, including subfreezing cold, searing sunlight, or fierce winds.

Thanks to polyamide thermal breaks, aluminium windows can now match the insulating performance of other window materials.

Due to its strength, aluminium window frames can be made thinner than wood or other types of lumber. Said more light would come through them because of the larger glass area.

Thanks to their minimal profiles and sleek designs, these frames are essential for any contemporary home. Furthermore, it is possible to paint aluminium frames to match whatever RAL colour.

You can choose from various finishes, including matte, gloss, and wood grain.

Reddish also offers a low-maintenance and scratch-resistant Coatex coating. Moreover, as aluminium can be recovered indefinitely, its production and consumption have no negative environmental impact.

The disadvantage of Aluminum Windows

Aluminium window frames can be repainted, but it's not a good idea.

Aluminium windows have a reputation for being an inappropriate modernisation for older, more traditional dwellings.

Aluminum has a high thermal conductivity, making it a useful material. However, homes with aluminium windows without thermal breaks are less likely to be well insulated.

Fortunately, the ones we use at Reddish already have heat barriers installed.

Further Advantages of Wooden Windows

Wood can be repainted to alter its colour. So if you get bored with the look of your windows, you can easily switch them out whenever you choose.

Timber windows have a much longer lifespan than other materials. If you keep the hardware in good condition and treat these items carefully, they will last forever.

Windows made from lumber, the most common material used in window construction, looks great in older homes or those with a more traditional aesthetic.

Wood is an excellent insulator. Therefore, replacing your current windows with timber is a great way to save money on your heating and cooling bills.

If you're looking for eco-friendly windows, choose timber ones because they're created entirely of natural materials.

Due to wood's inherent attractiveness, any structure with wooden windows will look better.

Problems with Wooden Windows

Wood windows are low-maintenance, but they require annual cleaning to avoid rot.

In the first 18–24 months after installation and every 6–8 years after that, we advise doing this.

The damage caused by termites in untreated wood is substantial.

Should I Choose Window Frames Based on My Home's Curb Appeal?

Such as with roofing or cladding, the type of joinery best suited to your home will depend on its location and design.

For instance, wooden windows need more attention than their metal counterparts. This is a major issue for multi-story buildings in particular.

Scaffolding is required while making repairs or painting a surface. Consequently, the cost of upkeep for a sizable property rises.

However, if you live in an older or historic home, the advantages of keeping the original wooden windows far outweigh the disadvantages.

The preference for a more natural, rustic look is especially prevalent in coastal and rural locations.

It is not advised to install aluminium windows in coastal areas. But, if cared for properly, aluminium frames may be utilised.

Because of this, salt buildup must be flushed away regularly. It is also suggested that more long-lasting paint finishes be chosen.

Yet, houses in windy regions benefit most from aluminium joinery.

They can tolerate harsh weather conditions better than timber structures can.

Mixed-material Framing

Unless you can't tell between pine as well as metals for your frame, consider a composite material instead.

Aluminium exterior framing offers homeowners durability and low maintenance needs, while wooden interiors are attractive and energy efficient.

This more costly option allows you to modernise your home without losing its historic character.