Which Material Is Best For Your New Windows?

6th February 2023 - By Jason Clemmit

It’s a debate as old as time itself. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Are clowns funny or just plain scary? Should it be called a bread roll, cob, bap, or barm cake?

No, we’re not talking about any of those often argued topics – this is about something much more serious – which material is best for your new windows?

That’s right, it’s the old uPVC vs timber vs aluminium debate, and like the previously mentioned conundrums, there’s no definitive answer.

Here we’ll look at the pros and cons of the three main window materials. It might not help you discover which one is the best, but hopefully, it’ll help you decide which one is the best for you and your home.

uPVC Windows

uPVC is the most common window material found in the UK. Providing great levels of thermal efficiency and needing very little maintenance, uPVC also tends to be the most cost-effective choice compared to timber and aluminium.

You’d be forgiven for picturing white plastic frames when you think of uPVC windows. However, this is no longer necessarily the case. uPVC windows are available in various styles, colours, and even tasteful woodgrain-effect finishes.

Flush sash uPVC windows give the appearance of traditional timber, and the joints can even be welded in a style that makes it difficult to tell them apart from a wooden equivalent.

One negative of uPVC as a window material is that it’s significantly weaker than both timber and aluminium, meaning that frames need to be manufactured much thicker to provide the same level of performance. This reduces sightlines and can affect the natural daylight inside your home.

In conclusion, uPVC is ideal if you are looking for a thermal window material at a reasonable price that requires little looking after.

Pros:

• Low maintenance; doesn’t rot, rust or flake
• Energy efficient
• Wide choice of colours, finishes and designs
• Noise-reducing
• Secure
• 100 percent recyclable
• Low cost (but this doesn’t always translate to low quality)

Cons:

• Repairs can be difficult
• Not usually permitted to be installed on listed buildings
• Not a natural material

Timber Windows

Offering excellent natural heat insulation, timber is a great option to reduce fuel bills over the cold winter months.

Timber is a popular window material choice for those seeking a traditional, natural product that provides individual styling for their home. After all, each bit of wood is unique, so no two timber windows are the same.

A significant drawback of timber windows is that they need frequent maintenance to stay looking their best, but some may consider this actually to be an advantage. If you are sanding, waxing, or painting your frames, you can change the aesthetics if you so wish.

In conclusion, timber windows offer a great range of benefits, and that’s reflected in the cost – they are more expensive than uPVC – but at the same time, they are likely to positively contribute to your property value, so long as you don’t mind the maintenance.

Pros:

• Excellent energy efficiency
• Easy to customise with paint or stain
• Made from natural materials
• Easily repaired
• Usually permitted to be installed on listed buildings

Cons:

• Regular maintenance is required to protect the wood
• More costly than uPVC
• Not ideal for areas with severe weather exposure

Aluminium Windows

They say less is more, which is certainly the case when considering aluminium for your window material. Aluminium is naturally strong, allowing for windows with slimmer frames and a larger glass surface area.

Durability is another key virtue of aluminium. Once windows have been powder coated in the colour of choice, not only will they be protected against rust and discolouration, they also won’t need to be frequently maintained or refinished regularly, as is the case with timber windows.

One major negative when it comes to aluminium is its weakness as an insulator. However, this issue has been tackled in modern frames with the assistance of a layer of insulating material on the window’s interior. Plus, because of the superior strength of aluminium frames, they can accommodate thicker glazing to further boost thermal performance.

In conclusion, aluminium is an ideal window material for larger apertures, requires little maintenance and offers fantastic sightlines.

Pros:

• Slimmer frames mean more natural daylight
• Superior strength makes them ideal for large, glazed areas such as patio doors and modern fixed windows
• Contemporary aesthetics
• Cheaper than timber windows
• Low maintenance and weather resistant

Cons:

• Need a thermal barrier to reduce heat loss
• More expensive than uPVC windows
• Can experience condensation issues

So there you have it – deciding on the best window material really is a matter of individual choice and depends on your priorities and what kind of home you have. Whichever you choose, uPVC, timber and aluminium are all great options.

If you have any further questions about the different window materials available, you can talk to your nearest Certified Competent installer who would be happy to discuss this with you.