Aluminum windows, are they really that bad?

If you are in the market for replacement windows or if you are comparing different home improvement projects and currently have aluminum windows and have done your research on aluminum windows, you have surely found some information, at least some information. It seems that the only information that exists is about how bad they are. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find positive information about aluminum windows on the web, and the question I get asked the most by my home improvement customers is, “Are they really as bad as they’re made out to be?”

Unfortunately, the answer is: “It depends.” I know you were hoping for a quick and easy answer, but the fact of the matter is that it really depends on what’s important to you. If you want a quick answer so you can move on to a more interesting topic then no, aluminum windows are not as bad as most people think they are, in fact there are many advantages when it comes to aluminum. windows and depending on your situation, they may outweigh the disadvantages.

Pro #1 – Structurally, aluminum is the strongest compound for making windows. If you leave a piece of white aluminum window frame material out in the sun in Death Valley for 20 years, apart from some dust and debris, clean it up and it will look exactly the same as it did 20 years ago. I doubt you can say that about vinyl windows and you definitely can’t say that about wood. PVC vinyl windows are getting better and better, but no matter how many UV inhibitors you put into the resin, there is only so much abuse a vinyl window can take.

Pro#2 – Large windows are a possibility with aluminum. Due to the structural strength of aluminum, practically the sky is the limit when it comes to window sizes. That’s why skyscrapers are made with aluminum windows; As you can see, there are no vinyl or wooden windows in skyscrapers. So, if you’re building a big custom home or remodeling your home and want some big, expansive windows, you’ll most likely be pushed toward aluminum; otherwise their sizes will be limited. With very few minor exceptions, almost all commercial buildings are built with storefronts or aluminum windows. Very rarely will you walk into a 7-11 or grocery store and see a wood or vinyl front door. They are aluminum because aluminum has been shown to outlast all available options. You will see fiberglass entry doors in some commercial buildings and yes fiberglass is almost as impervious to the elements as aluminum however in most designer opinions aluminum has a better finish and fiberglass still needs maintenance, such as painting or staining.

Pro#3 – Aluminum windows are the most profitable option, at least as an initial investment. Of course, there are different levels of quality and yes, the brand A window may cost more than the brand B vinyl window; however, for comparable quality levels, aluminum windows will be the most cost effective. For example, Milgard Windows, the lowest priced line of windows is their aluminum window. The glass that makes up the bulk of the window is the same across all products, but the aluminum window is the cheapest window they offer.

Pro#4 – Generally has more color options with aluminum. Colored vinyl windows are not yet ready for mass production, especially in extreme climates like southern Nevada, Arizona, and the California desert. Many window manufacturers refuse to sell their white or desert tan vinyl let alone a colored version. With wood windows, you get a lot of color options, but once again, it’s the aluminum on the outside that has a different color. Aluminum windows are pretty much the only window you would trust in a black or dark brown color in high temperature regions. Aluminum can be easily painted to match any color you want at a reasonable cost. This is why they are still seen in large custom homes, because they are the only window that gives you the color and size options often needed when designing a large custom home.

So as you can see there are a lot of positives so why do they have such a bad rap? Well, there is only one really negative aspect when it comes to aluminum windows and it is very important, especially nowadays.

Con#1 – They are extremely inefficient when it comes to thermal energy protection. Energy efficiency is a hot topic these days and if you want to sell a product, you better make sure it’s energy efficient or else you’re doomed. Therefore, all competing products continually state how inefficient and energy efficient vinyl, wood, and fiberglass are. So there is nothing to say about it, the fact is that yes, aluminum windows are not as energy efficient as the other alternatives.

Metal conducts heat. If it is hot outside and you are inside your house and you feel the aluminum window frame, then you will feel hot. The same thing happens in the winter, the frames will be cold and the aluminum will transfer that temperature difference to your home. There is nothing you can do about it. So you have to decide if energy efficiency is your main concern. If so, I would not recommend purchasing aluminum windows.

However, if you’re dead set on aluminum windows but bummed out by the whole energy efficiency thing, I’ve got good news for you. There is a way to get the best of both worlds. There is a product called “Thermal Break Windows”. These are aluminum windows that are also energy efficient. In layman’s terms, the aluminum is basically “broken” by a filament that prevents heat transfer through the window frame. Therefore, the outer part of the frame is separated from the inner frame by an energy efficient rubber compound that allows it to have the robustness and reliability of aluminum while maintaining energy efficiency.