If you’re in the market for a window replacement, or if you’re comparing different home improvement projects and currently own aluminum windows, and you’ve done any research on aluminum windows, you’re sure to come across some information, at least a little bit. It seems the only information is about how bad they are. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find any positive information on aluminum windows online, and the question I get most from my home improvement clients is, “Are they really as bad as they think they are?”
Unfortunately, the answer is “it depends”. I know you want a quick and easy answer, but the fact remains that it really depends on what’s important to you. If you want a quick answer, then you can move on to a more interesting topic, no, aluminum windows are not as bad as most people think, in fact, there are many pros in aluminum windows, depending on your situation, they may outweigh the disadvantages.
Pro #1 – Structurally, aluminum is the strongest compound to make windows. If you left a piece of white aluminum window frame material in the sun of Death Valley for 20 years, wiped it clean, it would look exactly the same as it did 20 years ago. I doubt you can say that about vinyl windows, you definitely can’t say that about wood. PVC vinyl windows keep getting better, but no matter how many UV inhibitors they add to the resin, vinyl windows can only withstand so much abuse.
Pro#2 – The possibility that the large windows are aluminum. Due to the structural solidity of aluminum, there are virtually no restrictions on window size. That’s why skyscrapers are built with aluminum windows. You see there is no such thing as vinyl or wooden windows in skyscrapers. So if you’re building a large custom home or remodeling your home and want some big, spacious windows, chances are you’ll be pushed towards aluminum, otherwise you’ll be limited in size. With very few exceptions, almost all commercial buildings are finished with aluminum windows or storefronts. Rarely will you walk into a 7-11 or grocery store and see a wood or vinyl entry door. They are aluminum, as aluminum has proven to be the longest-lasting of all the options available. You will see fiberglass entry doors in some commercial buildings, yes fiberglass is almost as immune to the elements as aluminum, however, aluminum has a better finish in the eyes of most designers, while fiberglass is still Maintenance such as painting or staining is required.
Pro#3 – Aluminium windows are the more cost effective option, at least for the initial investment. Of course, quality levels vary, and yes, brand A windows may cost more than brand B vinyl windows, but for the same level of quality, aluminum windows will be more cost-effective. For example, Milgard Windows, the lowest priced window line is their aluminum windows. The glass that makes up the bulk of the windows is the same across all products, but aluminum windows are the cheapest they offer.
Pro#4 – Aluminum usually has more color options. Tinted vinyl windows are not ready for mass production, especially in extreme climates such as southern Nevada, Arizona, and the California desert. Many window manufacturers refuse to sell their white or tan vinyl in the desert, let alone the color version. For wooden windows, you can choose from a variety of colors, but again the aluminum on the exterior comes in a different color. Aluminum windows are pretty much the only black or dark brown windows I trust in hot areas. Aluminum can be easily painted to match any color you like at a reasonable cost. This is why you still see them in large custom homes, because they are the only windows that give you the color and size options you often need when designing large custom homes.
So as you can see, there’s a lot of positives, so why do they get such a bad rap? Well, there’s only one real downside to aluminum windows, especially these days, and that’s a big one.
Con#1 – They are extremely inefficient in thermal protection. Energy efficiency is a major topic these days and if you want to sell a product you better make sure it is energy efficient or it is doomed to fail. So all competing products constantly tout how inefficient they are and how energy efficient vinyl, wood, and fiberglass are. So not much to say, the truth is that aluminum windows are not as energy efficient as other alternatives.
Metal conducts heat. If it’s hot outside and you’re at home and you feel the frame of an aluminum window, it’s going to feel hot. The same is true in winter, the frame gets cold and the aluminum transfers the temperature difference into your home. There is nothing you can do about it. Therefore, you must determine whether energy efficiency is your main concern. If so, I would not recommend buying aluminum windows.
However, if you’re dead set on aluminum windows but frustrated with the whole energy efficiency thing, I have some good news for you. There is a way to get the best of both worlds. There is a product called “Thermal Break Windows”. These aluminum windows are actually very energy efficient too. In layman’s terms, aluminum is basically “decomposed” by a filament that prevents the transfer of heat through the window frame. As a result, the outer part of the frame is separated from the inner frame by a rubber energy-efficient compound, allowing you to have the robustness and reliability of aluminum while still maintaining energy efficiency.