Windows

Aluminium windows

The ultimate modern window material, aluminium combines high aesthetics with incredibly high performance, creating a window suited to the demands of a range of houses. Aluminium windows have experienced a surge of popularity in recent years. No longer just for commercial buildings, domestic aluminium windows are perfect for adding a touch of modern elegance to a house.

Why to Choose Aluminium Windows

The Aesthetic Look

Aluminium windows play a major role in defining the overall look of the elevations – in this era of big glass, increasingly so – and therefore it’s worth prioritising the look. Firstly, concentrate on achieving slim sightlines. Secondly, look at the way the opening and fixed glass elements look side by side.

The Price

Make sure that you are comparing like for like when it comes to quotes from different suppliers – assessing things like locks, handles, any required pressings and so on. There is likely to be a huge range in quotes, but don’t forget that this is more than a pricing game: look for lead-in times, brands used in sections like Chawala, Prime, Alco etc.

Don’t forget that, as most systems require specialist fitting, you must hire a trusted local expert installation vendor.

Strength and Quality of Aluminium Windows

There is a surprising variety in the quality of aluminium used. Reputable manufacturers use prime billets in the manufacture, rather than scrap metal.

Look at the Quality of the Finish

There can be a huge variety in the quality of the aluminium windows themselves. Good quality aluminium should have a perfectly smooth and consistent finish, while poor quality may have pitting from when the profile has been heated during powder coating.

Build Quality

The way the window is put together can vary a lot from one supplier to the next. Ensure that the external and internal frame elements are distinct also ask where the key elements (like locks, wheels, handles) originated and where they were actually manufactured.

uPVC windows

uPVC, or to give its full name; unplasticised Poly Vinyl Chloride, has been a widely used window material in the industry since the 1980s. Tough, resistant to rot, and requiring very little maintenance, uPVC windows have been a popular choice with many homeowners.

What is the difference between uPVC and aluminium windows?

There are obviously many differences between the two materials, each having their own individual benefits whilst surprisingly having a little crossover too! Here are 6 differences which help outline things you may want to consider:

Cost

Internationally Aluminium is always much more expensive to install compared to typical uPVC windows but in Pakistan there are few vendors/importers deal in uPVC, so, cost of uPVC is much higher than Aluminium windows. In Pakistan uPVC cost 3 times more than Aluminium windows. Internationally uPVC windows has mass popularity since the 1980’s, but in Pakistan it was introduced few years ago.

Durability

Although most uPVC windows typically have a long life span, the frames have the potential to degrade over many years. White color also transforms to pale white in Chinese sections. Aluminium on the other hand is a much more robust material for use as a window frame. With proper care it can be fitted to last almost infinitely, whilst being fairly low maintenance.

Energy efficiency

Whilst many original uPVC windows fitted in houses today have the unfortunate reputation of being terrible thermal insulators, modern uPVC is quite the opposite. Contemporary uPVC now makes use of a complex internal profile which maximises thermal retention.

Aluminium windows can achieve the same levels of energy efficiency. Thanks to an innovative polyamide thermal break, aluminium windows are equally thermal retentive to keep any home warmer/cooler for longer.

Aesthetics

When choosing what kind of window frame to pick for your home, it’s ideal to have one that can increase the beauty of both the inside and outside of your home. Never feel bad for considering style as well as function, aesthetically pleasing windows can even add value to your home!

Thanks to their incredibly sleek sightlines, aluminium frames make for some incredibly views of the outside from the inside of the house. Despite these slim profiles that they are capable of holding larger glass panes thanks to their strong durability, enhancing the amount of natural light that enters your home.

Aesthetically uPVC is warmly welcomed in Pakistan. In many people’s eyes it gives off a simple, white plastic look that is very attractive.

Sound Proofing

One way in which uPVC does trump aluminium, is in its insulation capability. uPVC was originally designed to be a competent insulator and as such, provides the best sound proofing capability for homeowners who live in a busy built up area. Despite both frames being able to be double or even triple glazed, compared to aluminium, uPVC’s capability to keep out sound is sometimes a reason for its popularity.

Ease of maintenance

uPVC is undoubtedly the best option if you want a material that is easy to maintain. Thanks to the high quality plasticised material, they are continually easy to clean and just require a simple wipe-down with a cloth, if ever they get dirty.

Equally impressive, aluminium windows are incredibly robust which makes them resistant to corrosion and are completely weatherproof. This enables them to look as good as the day they were installed, never rotting or warping.

Which should you choose? – Every homeowner is different!

Aluminium: If you desire a window that is both energy efficient whilst making for some sleek enticing sightlines, aluminium windows are the choice for you. Despite their lower cost, they can also last longer than their uPVC counterpart and offer many benefits as a result.

uPVC: If you want a window that provides effective soundproofing that is also highly low in maintenance, uPVC can more than meet your needs. They offer the greatest aesthetics, they can still be coloured to successfully fit into the features of your home.

Single Glazed vs Double Glazed Windows: What’s Right for You?

An energy efficient home is a comfortable home, as it is one that is easier to heat or cool. Making sure your home is energy efficient will not only improve comfort, but will also save money on utilities. Insulation, location, and the materials used in home construction will all help to increase energy efficiency. The glass you use in your home is also critical when it comes to energy efficiency. If you’re deciding between single glazed and double glazed windows, it’s important to know the differences, and which option is better for your home.

Single Glazed vs Double Glazed: The Difference

A single glazed window is constructed using a single pane of glass. This means that the only thing separating your home from the outside environment, is that pane of glass. Typical window glass is of 5mm, which doesn’t provide adequate insulation. A single glazed window can be up to 20 times less efficient than an insulated wall when it comes to energy loss or storage.

Double glazed windows utilize two separate pieces of glass, separated by a vacuum. The vacuum layer acts as an insulative barrier. The glass used can be laminated or UV tinted, but is otherwise similar to the glass used in single glazed windows. When double glazing is retrofitted to an existing window installation, the thermal efficiency can be improved by up to 80%. Factory made double glazed windows can be up to 100% more efficient than a single glazed equivalent.

What Benefits Does Double Glazing Provide?

The most obvious benefit to be gained from double glazed windows, is the increase in thermal efficiency. This means that it will be easier to maintain the temperature inside your home. This is especially beneficial to families with air conditioners, or central climate control systems.

An example would be a home that is using a split type air conditioner in living room during summer. Without double glazing, the cooling inside is easily lost. This means that the indoor unit is forced to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature in the room.

With double glazing, heat loss can be reduced by half in optimal conditions. When combined with insulated curtains covering the windows, the heat loss becomes even less.

Are there Disadvantages to Double Glazing?

Because double glazing is more efficient than single glazing, the heat that enters the home during summer months is more easily stored. This means that certain steps should be taken to mitigate the problem during summer when sunshine hours are longer.

• Price is major disadvantage of Double Glazed windows. Cost of double glazing is more than Two times the cost of single glazed windows.
• Professional installation is issue in double glazing. There are few companies in Lahore which provides professional double glazing services and Pinnacle Construction is one of them.

The Bottom Line

Even though the initial cost of double glazed windows is higher than single glazed alternatives, double glazed windows will pay for themselves with reduced energy costs, over time. This makes them the best choice for new homes and renovations.