Today, a huge selection of windows is on sale. Most often, the profile is made of plastic. However, there are also 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 experts. They will be presented in the article.
Types of window profiles
Modern industry offers a rich selection of windows made using innovative technologies and the most advanced environmentally friendly materials. The most popular ones are: wood, plastic and aluminum.
Wood windows are much more expensive than plastic and aluminum windows, they are less reliable, and their service life is shorter. Therefore, products made of plastic and aluminum profiles are more in demand among the population. If there is a question about installing new windows, first of all you need to analyze which is better - aluminum or plastic windows, compare their strengths and weaknesses.
The choice will also depend on where the structure is supposed to be installed and what result the customer expects from its installation. A comparison should be made between aluminum and plastic windows. The required information is provided below.
Pros of metal structures
The difference between plastic and aluminum windows lies primarily in their weight. Because of the physical properties of metal, windows made of metal are lighter and stronger than PVC windows. In aluminum structures, thinner glass is used, which also reduces their weight. They are easy to transport and install, especially in high-rise buildings that cannot be overloaded with heavy structures.
The metal profile is not deformed, 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 up to eighty years.
The shape and dimensions of the produced aluminum window systems can satisfy almost any customer requirements. More than one and a half hundred colors give a wide scope for the flight of designer imagination. Such designs do not lose their original appearance during the entire period of service.
In case of 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. Attracts buyers toorelatively low price.
Disadvantages of aluminum profile
The only disadvantage of aluminum structures is the problem of thermal conductivity. Due to the fact that the metal heats up quickly and loses heat just as rapidly, 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 for the purchase of an air conditioner and a powerful heater.
However, now this problem is successfully overcome. A variant of warm aluminum profile windows has appeared, into which a polyamide thermal bridge is built in, which does not allow heat to pass through. Their price is higher than cold ones, but the difference quickly pays off. In addition, warm windows have better sound insulation.
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 operation, this figure can increase to half a century.
Double-glazed windows, as well as fittings, serve much less in both plastic and aluminum structures, compared to wood profiles. The tightness of PVC windows is higher, due to which they do not let throughdust from the street and are more soundproof.
The materials from which plastic structures are made are environmentally friendly, in case of fire they do not burn, but only melt. The size and color of the profiles meet any customer requirements.
Cons of plastic structures
If a PVC window is made in violation of the technology, it may not be airtight enough. Improper installation of the structure can also lead to the impossibility of tightly closing the sashes, and consequently, to a decrease in heat and sound insulation. Therefore, windows made of this material should be ordered only from trusted companies.
Such double-glazed windows weigh more than aluminum, and therefore 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 disadvantage, as it leads to a lack of circulation and stagnation of air in the room. Such rooms need regular ventilation.
Use area
The answer to the question of which is better, aluminum or plastic windows, depends on where exactly they will be used. Aluminum profiles are suitable for installation on all types of buildings and structures. Warm windows are installed in living rooms, cold windows are installed in office and commercial buildings, warehouses and in the production of shop windows, awnings and stained-glass windows.
Plastic varieties are used throughout residential buildings to replace old woodenstructures. They are also in demand in new buildings, with the exception of high-rise buildings, where, according to technical requirements, heavy double-glazed windows cannot be installed. Plastic and aluminum profiles are widely used for glazing balconies and loggias.
Choosing a profile for a balcony
Glazed balcony is an additional protection from 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 planned to create additional insulated space, it is better to give preference to PVC models.
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 will not require additional costs to strengthen the balcony.
Cold aluminum structures can be used for glazing an uninsulated balcony. They will protect from dust and 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 sashes move to the sides, overlapping each other. It is very convenient and safe.
Aluminum sliding windows on the balcony do a good job of protecting from cold and rain, but they have one drawback. The lower guide along which the sashes move is poorly protected from rain and snow getting into it, which can lead to freezing of such windows in winter. Plastic systems are deprivedsimilar disadvantage.
Roof windows
At present, due to the increase in the volume of private construction, roof windows are in great demand. What material to prefer for them depends on the taste and capabilities of the customer.
Velux skylights are considered the recognized leader in this market segment. When installing such a design, one 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 tiles.
Velux roof windows in this regard provide customers with a wide choice of sizes, shapes and colors, depending on the intended use of the space under the roof slopes.
Window repair
Which windows require the least maintenance? Which structures are more difficult to repair and cost more? The durable and successful operation of any window is affected, first of all, by the quality of the fittings. And since such elements are installed on a wide variety of systems, sooner or later everyone will have to repair plastic and aluminum windows.
In this regard, profiles made of different materials are approximately in the same 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 material profiles are best installed in a particular room.
After considering the recommendations of experts, you can make the right decision about choosing windows for your house or apartment.
