Three-leaf sliding door
20 November, 2020
Balcony enclosure with matt black aluminium structure and clear chamber glass
26 November, 2020
What are the main differences between aluminium and PVC that you should consider?
It can be said that aluminium has outperformed PVC in the benefits and options it offers.
Strength
Aluminium is 3 1⁄2 times stronger than PVC and 43 times stronger than wood with a high strength-to-weight ratio, making it the ideal material for windows and doors. Aluminium has long outperformed PVC and wood windows in the marketplace and has proven to be the material that best meets the demand for strength, performance and longevity for window and door frames. This lightweight, yet extremely strong metal is used in jumbos and resists salty, damp and corrosive air without deformation, rot or corrosion.
Durability
Aluminium is a much more robust compound, and with proper care it will stand the test of time without any problems. Aluminium windows and doors are known to last for decades, longer than those made of wood or PVC. Aluminium is resistant to rodents, termites and vermin.
Aesthetics
One of the constant complaints with PVC is especially those related to profiles and their thickness. Because aluminium is a much stronger material, frames can be made much thinner. This allows more light to enter the home or property and leaves the window looking cleaner and with a higher proportion of glass in the frame than PVC can offer.
Energy Efficiency
PVC and wooden window frames absorb heat and cold into the frame, causing the material to fail badly at first. Aluminium is thermally stable: it does not swell or shrink when temperature or humidity levels change. In contrast, in PVC and wood frames, it loses energy and thermal insulation, due to its high level of expansion and contraction.
Wood-framed windows often swell, deform or rot over time. PVC can be prone to expansion and contraction with heat. But, aluminium is chemically much more robust and stable.
Where it really stands out is in large movable glass panels, such as French doors or bi-folding doors. Aluminium frames support the elements to remain consistent from year to year and at any time of year.
Low maintenance
Aluminium offers a wide variety of beautiful finishes that require very little maintenance. The corrosion-resistant qualities of aluminium provide a low-maintenance frame and it is weather-resistant under a range of severe environmental conditions. Unlike many other materials, it does not swell, crack, break or deform over time; ensuring a longer product life.
Environmentally friendly
Aluminium is a 100% recyclable, non-toxic and totally sustainable product. In addition, aluminium has a very high rate of life cycle assessment and leaves a small ecological footprint. Aluminium is an abundant and sustainably harvested resource. In fact, about 8% of the earth’s crust consists of aluminium bauxite. This abundant supply exceeds global demands and due to its recyclable nature, aluminium will be the most important material for the next century. Finally, 94% of the world’s supply of bauxite is mined in non-forested regions, minimising the global environmental impact.
Don’t hesitate, switch to aluminium.
