Aluminum
and unplasticized polyvinyl chloride have their inherent advantages and
disadvantages for use in doors and windows. The comparison can be summarized as
under:-
S/No
|
Property
|
Aluminum
|
UPVC
|
1
|
Noise
reduction
|
Aluminum
windows and doors are better for noise reduction because of their greater
mass.
|
Vinyl
frames are not good at noise reduction as compared to aluminum.
|
2
|
Strength
|
Aluminum
doors and windows are stronger than UPVC.
|
UPVC
frames are not as stronger as these of aluminum.
|
3
|
Corrosion
|
Corrodes
when exposed to air born chemicals, salts and pollution.
|
UPVC
frames are corrosion resistant and impervious to rust, rot and flaking.
|
4
|
Insulation
|
Slightly
lower in insulation values especially in bitterly cold areas.
|
Higher
resistance to heat or cold transfer.
|
5
|
Expansion
& warping
|
Very
less expansion and warping in high temperature variations.
|
May
warp and end over time, especially in areas that experience temperature
variation over the year.
|
6
|
Life
|
Long
life of 25 years.
|
Less
life of about 15 to 20 years.
|
7
|
Repair
and replacement
|
Aluminum
doors and windows repair men are available across the country.
|
Available
only at selected places.
|
8
|
Cost
|
Varies in different regions of the world.
|
Varies in different regions of the world.
|
9
|
Colour
|
Lots
of colour options are available.
|
Limited
colour options are available.
|
10
|
Appreciations
|
Architect
always prefer aluminum.
|
Very
low preference by Architects.
|
Aluminum frames are main alternate
to wood and are still popular for industrial, residential and commercial use,
the main selling point is their long life and that they are easily replaceable and
broken pan is easy to replace in the frame.Vinyl windows are made in the same
way as aluminum windows but with the vinyl extrusion forming a frame around the
glass, resulting in better thermal efficiency but higher maintenance.Cost wise there is a little
difference between aluminum and vinyl doors and windows.
Both aluminum and UPVC (doors and
windows) products serve their respective market however aluminum has several
distinct advantages over UPVC.