Any issues with AluClad?

metalscrubber

I currently have my plans out for pricing with a few builders locally.
One has come back and tells me not to use AluClad - his information comes from a nationally known window manufacturer - who says the differennt expansion coefficients of the wood and the aluminium cause the windows to breakdown in short order.
Rot or not?

Cheers,

Metal

c class 226

I have two lots of alu clads fitted. One lot is in about six years, the other lot about four years. Two different manufacturers. Expecting a third instalment next week so I hope your info is rot. So far, I've no problems with them.
Cheers
Our windows have been built to withstand North American and Scandinavian winters which are far harsher than anything we experience over here.

lfcjfc

My aluclad windows are exactly what the name says - a full timber window unit that is clad in aluminium. The timber is the structural element of the unit, the aluminium is simply an additional protective layer attached to the external. As aluminium is not part of the structure, I cant see how the different expansion coefficients matter. I have black aluminium on south facing aspect and have not had an problems due heat expansion throughout the Summer (in as much as there has been a Summer). Hope the information that you've got is wrong.

Mellor

Sounds like trash to me,

they two materials do have a different thermal expansion co-efficient. I think alu is 22x10^-6 and timber is maybe 6x10^-6. So the difference is 18, which means,

for a 2 metre window, the over 40 degrees (pretty big range) the difference is;
40x16x2x10^-3=1.28mm

So over a 40 degree range, which is unlikely to happen, ever. It expands just over a single mm, I am certain that the fixings can take this tolerance,
There is not a hope that your builder could get near this level.

Useless my numbers are way off, then its nonsense

sas

metalscrubber wrote: »

his information comes from a nationally known window manufacturer

Presumably given their fears this manufacturer doesn't sell AluClad windows.

Sounds fair and balanced to me :rolleyes:

Slig

If its the manufacturer I'm thinking of then they have a weird product they clame is aluclad.
Its an aluminium framed window (not thermally broken) and they have glued a timber window profile onto the inside of it. That could obviously cause problems

gman2k

I was speaking before to the owner of a large window company in the SE about this issue, and it comes down to quality. If it's a good quality window, then expansion should not pose an issue....Go with brand name that you can trust, and do your research.

West 1

LOL ... never heard the likes.
I also think they dont sell Alu-Clad so are damaging its image.

DustyBin

Aluclad windows look the business
One pointer though is to look out for whether it is:
(a) a timber window clad externally with aluminium (which is basically a timber window), or
(b) an aluminium window clad internally with timber (is basically an aluminium window)
As Slig points out the aluminium needs to be thermally broken if you are going for the second type
Nothing wrong with a good timber window, therefore nothing wrong with a good timber window clad with ali
Thing is though that an aluminium window is stronger, and can better withstand weathering and provide better drainage etc. Also provides a better/stronger surface to attach things like hinges to.

If anyone is thinking of getting aluclad I would suggest that you try price the second one, although it is usually more expensive

Hope all of that made some sense!!

pinksalt

Hi i know this is an old thread but i am wondering if anyone who got the Aluclad has had any problems with them in the meantime as i am thinking of investing in new windows this year? Thanks

muffler

There is a limit and we dont allow 4+ year old threads to be dragged up. Products, u values etc have all changed so feel free to start a new thread if you wish.