Today, a huge selection of windows is on sale. Most often, the profile is made of plastic. However, there are aluminum windows. They differ in the mass of operational indicators. Which is better: aluminum or plastic windows? The answer to this question can be found by considering the advice of specialists. They will be presented in the article.
Types of window profiles
Modern industry offers a rich selection of windows made using innovative technologies and from the most advanced environmentally friendly materials. The most popular of them are: wood, plastic and aluminum.
Wooden windows are much more expensive than plastic and aluminum, they are less reliable, and their service life is shorter. Therefore, products from plastic and aluminum profiles are more in demand among the population. If there was a question about installing new windows, first of all you need to analyze what is best - aluminum or plastic windows, to compare their strengths and weaknesses.
The choice will also depend on where the structure is supposed to be installed and what the customer expects from its installation. A comparison of aluminum and plastic windows should be made. The necessary information is presented below.
The advantages of metal structures
The difference between plastic and aluminum windows is, first of all, in their mass. Due to the physical properties of the metal, windows made of it are lighter and stronger than PVC. In aluminum structures, glass of smaller thickness is used, which also reduces their weight. They are easy to transport and install, especially in buildings with a large number of storeys that cannot be overloaded with heavy structures.
The metal profile does not deform, so the windows perfectly retain their shape for a long time. The resistance of the material to corrosion, moisture, acids and other aggressive factors, as well as to large temperature fluctuations, extends the life of the product to eighty years.
The shape and dimensions of the aluminum window systems produced allow us to satisfy almost any customer requirements. More than one and a half hundred colors give a wide scope for the flight of design imagination. Such designs do not lose their original appearance during the entire period of service.
In a fire, aluminum profile windows do not burn, do not melt, and do not emit toxic substances. They have a sufficient level of sound insulation, due to which they are used in rooms located close to busy roads. The relatively low price also attracts buyers.
Aluminum Profile Disadvantages
The only drawback of aluminum structures is the problem of thermal conductivity. Due to the fact that the metal heats up quickly and also rapidly loses heat, it will be cooler in a room with such windows in winter than in a room in which plastic products are installed. In the hot season, on the contrary, it is stuffy in the rooms. This means that additional costs will be required to purchase an air conditioner and a powerful heater.
However, now this problem is being successfully overcome. There was a variant of warm windows made of aluminum profile, in which a polyamide thermal bridge is built that does not allow heat to pass through. Their price is higher than cold, but the difference quickly pays off. In addition, the sound insulation of warm windows is stronger.
Advantages of Plastic Structures
To decide which is better, aluminum or plastic windows, a comparative analysis of their strengths and weaknesses will help.
The main advantage of PVC structures is their low thermal conductivity, which allows maintaining a comfortable temperature in the rooms where they are installed. The service life of plastic windows according to GOST is 35-40 years. This applies specifically to the plastic profile. With proper use, this figure can increase to half a century.
The double-glazed window, as well as the fittings, serve much less in both plastic and aluminum structures, compared with a profile made of wood. The tightness of PVC windows is higher, due to which they do not allow dust from the street and are more soundproof.
The materials from which the plastic structures are made are environmentally friendly; they do not burn in case of fire, but only melt. The size and colors of the profiles satisfy any customer requirements.
Cons of plastic structures
If the PVC window is made in violation of the technology, it may not be tight enough. Incorrect installation of the structure can also lead to the inability to close the shutters tightly, and consequently, to a decrease in heat and sound insulation. Therefore, windows made of this material should be ordered only at trusted companies.
Such double-glazed windows weigh more than aluminum, in connection with which there are restrictions on their installation. The price of metal-plastic products is higher than that of aluminum (cold).
The tightness of PVC windows is not only their plus, but also a drawback, since it leads to a lack of circulation and stagnation of air in the room. Such rooms need regular ventilation.
Scope of use
The answer to the question of which is better, aluminum or plastic windows, depends on where exactly they will be applied. Aluminum profiles are suitable for installation on all types of buildings and structures. Warm windows are installed in living rooms, cold - in office and commercial buildings, in storage rooms and in the manufacture of shop windows, canopies and stained glass windows.
Plastic varieties are used universally in residential buildings when replacing old wooden structures. They are also in demand in new buildings, with the exception of high-rise buildings, where, according to technical requirements, it is impossible to install heavy double-glazed windows. Widely used plastic and aluminum profiles for glazing balconies and loggias.
Choosing a profile for a balcony
A glazed balcony is an additional protection against noise, dust and cold. Which design option is better to choose for a balcony or loggia depends on how its owner intends to use this space. If it is supposed to create an additional insulated space, it is better to give preference to models made of PVC.
However, for installation in this case, it will be necessary to strengthen the balcony due to the large weight of the plastic system. To save money, you can use a warm aluminum profile for glazing the balcony. It does not require additional costs to strengthen the balcony.
For glazing an uninsulated balcony, you can use cold aluminum structures. They will protect from dust and bad weather, and their price will be much less.
In order to save space, it is better to install aluminum sliding windows on the balcony. In this case, the flaps are shifted to the sides, overlapping each other. It is very convenient and safe.
Aluminum sliding windows on the balcony do a good job of protecting against cold and rainfall, but have one drawback. The lower guide, along which the wings move, is poorly protected from rain and snow, which can lead to freezing of such windows in winter. Plastic systems have no such drawback.
Roof windows
Currently, due to the increase in private construction volumes, skylights are in great demand. What material to prefer for them depends on the taste and capabilities of the customer.
The recognized leader in this segment of the market are the Velux roof windows. When installing such a design, you should remember about the quality characteristics of plastic and aluminum profiles so as not to increase the weight of the structure too much. This is not always good for roofing and metal.
Roof windows “Velux” in this regard provide customers with a wide selection of sizes, shapes and colors depending on the intended use of the room under the roof slopes.
Window Repair
Which windows require less maintenance? Repair of which structures is more complicated and more expensive? The long-term and successful operation of any window is affected, first of all, by the quality of the hardware. And since such elements are installed on the most diverse system, the repair of plastic and aluminum windows will sooner or later have to be done by everyone.
In this regard, profiles of different materials are in approximately equal position. Although experts say that aluminum structures have a longer service life than their plastic counterparts.
This factor should also be taken into account when deciding which profiles of which material is best to install in a particular room.
Having considered the recommendations of specialists, you can make the right decision about choosing windows for a house or apartment.