UPVC vs Aluminium windows and doors

UPVC windows, as a matter of fact due to its material characteristics, have better U-values and SHGC values than aluminium ones. However, aluminium windows with genuine thermally broken systems have a great boost on the overall energy performance and can be fully compliant with high energy rating buildings requirements.

The weakest point for UPVC material is its structural strength can’t compete with aluminium material, which is why UPVC window frames are normal quite chunky. Therefore it’s quite challenging for UPVC systems to fit for large openings of windows and doors. Aluminium profiles can be used for large span of windows and doors, also can be extruded with much slimmer designs than UPVC.

Another important factor to consider is the surface treatment of the material: UPVC is in nature an engineered plastic product while aluminium windows with powder coating provides much higher resistance to climate and better structural strength. This is one of the key reasons that beach front buildings normally use aluminium profiles with powder coating treatment.