The Pros and Cons of Aluminum Windows
Every material has its strengths and weaknesses. The trick is choosing the product that’s the right match for the job. Understanding a bit about the pros and cons of aluminum windows can help you determine if they’re the right windows for your home or commercial facility.
Pro: Maintenance
Wood is gorgeous, but it’s incredibly demanding. You need to worry about moisture and termites and other threats. Every time you turn around, it needs to be refinished or coated or requires some other service. In contrast, aluminum is an incredibly low-maintenance material. While you may repaint it if you choose, there’s rarely a need. Investing in a quality product means that you rarely need to do more than wipe it down occasionally to keep it looking fantastic for the length of its lengthy lifespan.
Con: Energy Efficiency
Aluminum windows have a high U-value. U-value is the rate of heat transfer through a material, so it’s a strong indication of energy efficiency. Windows with low U-values are energy-efficient because they keep your heat inside. Since aluminum windows have a high U-value, they may not be the best pick for frigid climates. However, those who live where warmer weather prevails don’t have that worry.
Pro: Durability
Aluminum is a lightweight metal, but it’s famously strong. As a result, it can withstand the elements without wilting. While vinyl windows are known to twist and buckle over time, aluminum windows hold strong. In fact, they’re a great choice when you want large windows or when you want windows in areas that are prone to stormy weather.
Con: Condensation
If you ever needed proof of the way that aluminum windows transfer heat so readily, it’s can be easy to spot. The difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures will sometimes cause condensation to form on aluminum windows.
Pro: Lifespan
Investing in aluminum windows means that you probably won’t have to go window shopping for replacements anytime soon. As Angi indicates, aluminum windows that are properly maintained tend to have an average lifespan of 20 to 25 years. That’s slightly longer than vinyl windows tend to last.
Con: Corrosion
Aluminum is known to be susceptible to corrosion, so it should come as no surprise that aluminum windows have this vulnerability. It also raises new concerns about the tendency to develop condensation in the minds of savvy consumers. After all, the combination of moisture and bare aluminum is a recipe for corrosion. Fortunately, most aluminum windows are either painted or powder coated.
Pro: Affordability
Price may not be the determining factor, but it’s certainly a factor for most people. Aluminum windows are less expensive than wood or fiberglass models, and roughly on par with their vinyl peers.
Pro or Con: Aesthetics
When it comes to aesthetics, the lines aren’t as clear-cut. For one thing, beauty is largely a matter of personal opinion. In addition, styles of architecture vary widely. Therefore, a window that looks just right when installed in a log cabin nestled in the woods of New England might look out of place when used in a beach house in the Sunshine State, in a townhouse in an urban neighborhood, or in an adobe home in the Southwest. Thankfully, aluminum windows are available in a wide range of styles, colors, and finishes. That increases the odds of finding one that suits your design needs. However, they do tend to be thinner than traditional wood windows, which some people dislike. Others appreciate this sleeker, more modern look.
