THE MOST POPULAR WINDOW FRAME MATERIALS

THE MOST POPULAR WINDOW FRAME MATERIALS – WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOUR PROJECT AND WHY ALUMINIUM TIMBER COMPOSITE WINDOWS ARE THE IDEAL CHOICE…

(Accurate at time of publishing)

If you’re deciding to replace your windows or you’re choosing windows for a new build project or renovation, you’ll need to consider which window frame material is right for you and your home, be it wood, uPVC, aluminium, aluminium clad or aluminum timber composite windows.

To help you choose we’ve highlighted 5 of the most popular types of window frames available and their benefits:

1. HARDWOOD AND SOFTWOOD WINDOWS

Wooden windows are available in a range of hard and soft woods, with differing costs and benefits. They can be manufactured as ‘made to measure’, based around a standard set of profiles or systems, or fully ‘bespoke’ which are manufactured as a complete one-off design and size. They can be manufactured from FSC timber and fitted with sealed units to benefit from the energy efficiency that double-glazing brings.

Pros:

• Authentic real wood look and feel
• Softwood can be cost effective, but won’t last as long as hardwood
• Can be stained or painted in a colour of your choice
• Suitable for modern or traditional homes
• Environmentally friendly
• Good thermal insulation
• Hardwood can last longer than other window frame materials, up to 60 years.

Cons:

• High maintenance – will need regular repainting/treating
• Hardwood can be expensive, but benefits from extended longevity compared with softwood
• Softwood will need replacing more regularly than hardwood (due to it being exposed externally)
• Tendency to absorb moisture and warp and twist during the drying out process

2. UPVC, VINYL OR PLASTIC WINDOWS

Plastic windows are often a popular choice due to their affordability, and are now available in a range of colours and finishes achieved with either spray paint or foil laminate. Some of the less costly plain white plastic windows can look less attractive and may degrade faster than the more premium coloured foil laminated options.

When looking at uPVC window systems, there is a huge difference between the standard white ‘budget’, characterless uPVC windows and the more premium uPVC systems where there is a considerable choice of colours, finishes and styles – even suited to period properties. As with anything you need to compare the options and costs to find a solution to fit your needs. For further reading take a look at our Advice Centre article: COMPOSITE WINDOWS VS UPVC

Pros:

• Can be the most cost effective solution – although the plain white versions with little character may not be the most aesthetically pleasing
• Low maintenance
• Wide range of colours available
• Custom sizes
• Cost effective solution for replacement window market – some have been designed specifically for period properties
• Section depths make installation on replacement windows straight forward
• Availability to customers and ability to drive the price down, due to this

Cons:

• The plain white options can look cheap
• Can degrade and not easy to repair
• Are less environmentally friendly than alternatives
• White windows can discolour
• Saturated product
• Manufacture size limitations

3. ALUMINIUM WINDOWS

Aluminium is a very common type of window frame, suitable for modern properties, and often used in commercial applications such as curtain walling. It is becoming more popular with residential projects as a good alternative to uPVC market. As with uPVC there are big differences between the budget entry level aluminium windows and the high-end options, so you need to do your research.

Pros:

• Can be cost effective if the lower end entry level option is chosen
• Low maintenance
• Slimline frame
• Triple glazing options
• You can fit your entire home with the same system (i.e. windows, bi-folds, doors, entrance doors, rooflights etc.)
• The system can typically provide larger panels, with multiple options

Cons:

• Can have a more clinical feeling internally compared to wood
• Typically issued in profile/kits and fabricated in the UK by ‘approved installers’; which negates some of the selling points (i.e. Made in Germany etc.)
• Likely to be the coldest element inside your house, therefore air moisture is still likely to form on this area