PVC windows. Are they better than aluminum or wood?

Analysis and comparison between PVC windows versus aluminum or wood. Which window is better for home carpentry? Types, advantages and disadvantages, energy savings and many tips to buy wisely.

Comparison of PVC windows versus aluminum or wood

Recognizing which is the best exterior carpentry for a building or our own house is a key point that we must know to improve our energy savings and insulation, among many other factors.

In this article we are going to focus on the characteristics and types of PVC windows compared to wood or the typical aluminum windows that many of us have at home, recognizing their advantages and disadvantages, materials, functionalities, types of profiles, types of windows and other technical aspects to be able to determine which windows we should buy according to our needs.

First of all, we must recognize when we should change the windows of our house and start that small reform. We can follow a small guide that will help us understand the state of deterioration of our exterior carpentry.

With a few simple steps we can recognize if the carpentry we have in the house is sufficiently hermetic, if the glass really insulates or if we are safe from thieves. According to the company specialized in PVC windows MAS Home Improvement, the four main advantages of changing the windows are:

About 35% of the energy used for heating or air conditioning is lost due to poorly insulated and deteriorated windows.

Improved acoustic insulation by closing hermetically and using acoustic insulating glass. Reducing by 10 decibels means sound insulation values ​​by half.

Around 80% of the robberies that are practiced in homes is through the windows.

Less maintenance and longer durability, and more if we talk about carpentry with PVC. Not counting the aesthetic aspects.

What are the best windows on the market?

Although the dispute is always between PVC or aluminum. First we must understand that the glass and the frame work together, they are responsible in the long and medium term for providing adequate benefits of comfort and well-being for our home without counting on the economic savings that we can obtain by outlining better insulation in the carpentry.

When we combine both in aluminum or PVC windows, and wood, we obtain the insulation capacity in the windows. In a graphic way for a better understanding it would be to have – in part – attention to the following formula:

BEFORE THE INSULATION OF A WINDOW: THE FRAME OF THE ADVANTAGE IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE GLASS THAT WE ARE GOING TO PUT

We remember that this formula is an approximation because there are other factors that also affect; if it is installed correctly, if it has a shutter or not, the thermal bridge, or the possible combinations between a very bad profile and a very good glass and vice versa.

So, actually stables talking about a set of factors that answer the question of what elements must be taken into account to choose the best window. We remember that we have an extensive article dealing with glass curtains and the different types of glazing to understand the glass part.

In order not to go into too technical specifications, we are going to focus on understanding the energy label of the windows to see which are the most optimal:

The letter assigned at the top is the great reference that determines the classification of energy efficiency (They are assigned from the highest A to G). When buying windows, this will be what mainly influences the price that will be accompanied by the type of material chosen.

What is better PVC or aluminum window, or wood?

Here comes the typical user questions about… Which material is better PVC or aluminum? … Or which one is cheaper or more expensive, or what are the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of windows, which are the best PVC windows … etc.

What is the life cycle of a window?

The PVC or aluminum carpentry that forms the building envelope is one of the fundamental elements of any building, which in addition to providing light to the different rooms of the house, isolates us from noise and protects us from weather conditions (rain, cold, heat, etc.).

It is necessary to take into account that the duration and resistance of a window depends on the correct choice of the materials with which it is manufactured, both from the perspective of the structural frame, the air chambers or the glass itself.

Advantages of PVC windows

Now we are going to list some advantages that will confirm which are the best windows for a house,  recognizing that previously we have already outlined the differences between PVC or aluminum windows in a more technical way on the exterior carpentry in the envelope of a house. And, broadly speaking, with reference to the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material, we could say of the skylight that:

Improves energy saving

Unlike other materials such as aluminum, the PVC window prevents energy loss when installing the windows, with the consequent economic savings that this entails. If insulating glazing is also incorporated, savings in heating and air conditioning can be up to 60-65% compared to old windows. Thus maintaining a pleasant temperature without wasting energy.

Energy saving in the window

They improve thermal insulation

If you suffer from thermal insulation problems in your home, PVC window profiles according to the different types, can reach thicknesses in high millimeters and have several air chambers that improve the thermal bridge of the windows they are the best option to put an end to them, and they are considered the best insulating windows, since they prevent cold and heat from passing into the interior of the house, they are the most efficient windows. The use of heating will be significantly reduced while you gain in comfort and well-being.

Improves noise insulation

The profiles of the windows prevent the passage of sound waves, so windows with PVC material are very suitable for achieving a high level of sound insulation as shown in the noise calculations indicated in the DB HR. In addition, they allow the incorporation of large glasses that reduce noise significantly, so you and your family will enjoy absolute tranquility at home, preventing noise from entering the interior.

Maintains a healthier home

Thanks to their watertight closure, they provide maximum hermeticity against external agents such as wind, rain, dust, pollution, etc. In addition, the corners are thermally welded (not glued), another feature that makes them the most insulating on the market. With them you will enjoy a cleaner and healthier home.

They hardly require maintenance

Another advantage of this type of glass is that they hardly need maintenance, since they resist shock, corrosion and contamination. To clean PVC windows, simply wipe them with a cloth with water and neutral soap. And to obtain an even better result, there are specific cleaning products on the market that leave them as impeccable as the first day. Remember to advise and consult the official installer.

Provides security

The robustness of the profiles with internal reinforcement, together with the top brand hardware used by many installers (which have numerous locking points) provide an even safer and more resistant carpentry.

Disadvantages PVC window

It is evident that it must have some disadvantages and problems compared to traditional enclosures. These are aspects that must be overcome:

One of the most influential is the sale price of a PVC window, which we can see in different establishments. As a rule, if we look for medium-high quality they will be higher but we will gain much more in insulation. So investing in PVC carpentry may not be a disadvantage.

The aluminum window is actually 23 times stronger than PVC. Although there is no doubt that we are not going to dedicate him to hitting, it is a fact that must be known. (Elastic Modulus of Aluminum = 70 x 106 Pa and Elastic Modulus of PVC = 3 x 106 Pa)

Another negative aspect is that aluminum is harmless in contact with fire, while PVC releases highly toxic colored components. (Technology is advancing a lot in this aspect and there are manufacturers that already offer alternatives with high resistance and that are more respectful of the environment)