Aluminium Windows vs UPVC

[StillRunningWithScissors]

Hello,

We are in the design stage for an extension (kitchen/dining area). Thinks nag about details, I think I'd prefer aluminium Windows instead of UPVC. Main reason is the opening options (sash style or sliding), where is seems UPVC is more limited. Also prefer the thinner frames.

Is aluminium horribly more expensive than UPVC?

Anything I might not have considered about aluminium that could be an issue?

Thanks!

[StillRunningWithScissors]

Anyone?

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Aluminium conducts heat and cold well. We have them at work and in the winter they are very cold to the touch and I feel the rooms are colder round the Windows because of this. Changing them for uPVC is on my project list.

[Hennifer]

I really dislike UPVC but have never had aluminium windows. The maintenance of UPVC is pretty difficult, when they get a bit older - you can't fix them and I have a very noisy one here that moves when it's windy and keeps me awake. I also think they can be very ugly.

So my instinct would be wood, followed by metal.

[PigletJohn]

I don't like plastic windows, the sections are large and it is a fundamentally weak and flexible material, which is why they have to be festooned with complex multiple locks and fastenings.

Modern aluminium windows have a thermal break in the construction to prevent heat transfer inside to out. I think they will have a much longer life.

[StillRunningWithScissors]

Thanks everyone.

Wood would be brilliant, but not sure about the maintenance aspect. DH and I both love the look, and would want it unpainted, so thinking we'd have to treat it fairly often.

It would be easy facing, so not too bad for sun exposure.

Hmmm, anyone know what the maintenance would be for wood? We're quite competent DIY-ers (my parents had us doing painting of window frames from a young age).

[StillRunningWithScissors]

Sorry, east facing.

And wanting to know the maintenance for unpainted wood frames.

Thank you

[StillRunningWithScissors]

And I'm in agreement, I really am not a fan of uPVC

[PigletJohn]

don't varnish them. There are some flexible breathing stains but I doubt you could go more than five years between retreatments.

If you get hardwood ones you could oil them, but oil is not moisture-proof so does not give very good protection. It is pretty easy to recoat though.

[OliviaBenson]

I prefer painted wood to varnished wood. Ours need doing every 7 years, so not much maintenance really. If you prefer wood look, I'm not sure if osmo oil do any products (recommended on here for kitchen work tops but I know they have a lot of other products!)

[Whatthefoxgoingon]

Aluminium much better and more attractive than upvc which is absolutely horrible.

[specialsubject]

agree with that; have moved to a house with a really bad UPVC job (despite FENSA) - they look awful. Also having to work round and fill gaps/refit. Someone really ripped off the previous owners.

if the aluminium cold spot problem has been solved, get those. The magic words are 'equal sight line', i.e. that the opening bits are no thicker than the rest.

[amyboo]

We have uvpc windows that look like wood. In all seriousness, unless you got really close to them and touched them you'd have no idea they weren't wood. They are dark wood effect with a slight grain in them, and look virtually identical from the outside to our old wooden windows (which was the idea - where we live you are required by planning to replace like for like). I'm not saying that uvpc are everyone's cup of tea, but there are a lot more options than cheapy white ones, so personally I wouldn't write them off...

[StillRunningWithScissors]

Thanks everyone.

special subject 'equal sight line' that is precisely one of my UPVC hates.

Appreciate all of the feedback. Thanks again