3G Aluclad versus 3G uPVC

mrsWhippy

Hi,

We're trawling through window quotes and are looking at a 10k difference in price between Aluclad and uPVC triple glazed (through a supplier in Maynooth).

The uPVC is giving us a combined u-value of 0.85 which I think is pretty good, versus 0.82 for the Aluclad.

Apart from aesthetics, are there any other major differences between these windows? Given the performance of the PVC, it's very hard to justify the extra cost for the Aluclad ... what else should I look out for?

Thanks.

FiOT

We ended up getting our aluclad windows from a different company for marginally more expensive than the quote for pvc from what I presume is the same supplier in Maynooth. Thought they were very expensive!

mrsWhippy

FiOT wrote: »

We ended up getting our aluclad windows from a different company for marginally more expensive than the quote for pvc from what I presume is the same supplier in Maynooth. Thought they were very expensive!

Really? I'd love a PM of this company's name please!

If our PVC quote is coming in at 10k less than our aluclad quote, then our aluclad company must be outragiously expensive. I've gotten about 6 quotes though and this was the best value. Couldn't believe the difference in the PVC though.

mike_2009

Hi,
They seem similar but they are at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of quality. If you're trying to reduce your carbon footprint most plastic is to be avoided but the performance values are very close and if cost if a major factor then I couldn't argue it's worth the extra 2x. That said I'd like to see their uPVC in 5 years time - gaps, draughts etc. Go for lighter uPVC outdoor colors as darker colors will absorb more sun and warp easier. I would think you will get longer value out of Aluclad but many houses thrown up using PVC and despite draughts etc are still working away 20+ years later. Both will ultimately leak the separating gas (argon etc) by about the 10 year mark.
Go see the difference but not in a showroom, get hold of references who got them from a few years ago if possible. See similar sized / spec / coloured ones and how they look / perform today. Find out what spacers they use to separate the windows panes, these should be thermally efficient.
Ultimately the market is in a love in with uPVC still which drives prices down but all that ends up in a landfill somewhere one day.....at least you can reuse part of your old aluclad in a wood burning stove?!
Search these forums and you'll find some posts from 2013 and earlier with more advice, re security etc. (uPVC easier to break into?)

mrsWhippy

Great points Mike, thanks .... I know I should be really concerned by the sustainability of the windows, but I'm more concerned with the size of my mortgage unfortunately, we would find it very hard to fund that extra 10k!

Is warping a real concern do you think?

I'll definitely follow up on those older references though, great tip.

mike_2009

I think go for PVC, getting the house built in more important and you can always change them in 10-15 years. With a bit of maintenance they should perform fine. Warping is more likely on south facing windows, keep to bright colours. 10K is 10K better put elsewhere! See what warranty they offer for hinges etc which tend to go sooner....

fatty pang

mike_2009 wrote: »

They seem similar but they are at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of quality.

You can get good and bad windows with both materials. Just because something is expensive don’t just assume it’s any good.

Both will ultimately leak the separating gas (argon etc) by about the 10 year mark.

Nonsense. You’d have to be buying absolute rubbish to come across this problem these days. Anybody supplying gas filled insulated glazing units is obliged to manufacture them in compliance with EN1279 with gas leakage rates of 1% per annum maximum. Actual leakage rates of <0.5% p.a. are not uncommon for advanced IGU production facilities used by the major manufacturers.

(uPVC easier to break into?)

Again, not necessarily. As a rule of thumb inward opening windows are usually harder to break into.;)

mike_2009

The gas leakage rates you quote are based on laboratory testing, not field testing. Some further opinion here on leakage:
https://www.buildinggreen.com/blog/do-i-really-want-radioactive-windows
I would also argue that the quality of installation is at least as important as the quality of the window.

fatty pang

mike_2009 wrote: »

The gas leakage rates you quote are based on laboratory testing, not field testing.

Laboratory testing - to a defined testing methodology for accelerated ageing of the components. This is standard industrial practice. ‘Field testing’ as you describe it is irrelevant. Portable testing equipment doesn’t exist that that has anything like the necessary degree of accuracy required. You will only get that degree of accuracy by undertaking destructive testing…. in a laboratory.

Some further opinion here on leakage:

It’s exactly that – opinion.

mike_2009

Grand,
Let's leave it there so.....

Dudda

I have PVC windows with aluminium on the outside same way you have it on the outside of timber. It protects from fading, warping, etc. Could be a potential middle ground between the two.

fatty pang

Dudda wrote: »

It protects from fading, warping, etc.

Aluminium finishes like any other coatings are also subject to fading. Of course different coatings will have different fade rates. The lighter the colour the less noticeable the fading will be.

Wicklowmum

FiOT - can you pm me the name of the supplier also?
thanks

Draper38

Hi FiOT,

Could you PM me the supplier name also please.
Thanks.

nagsheader

FiOT wrote: »

We ended up getting our aluclad windows from a different company for marginally more expensive than the quote for pvc from what I presume is the same supplier in Maynooth. Thought they were very expensive!

can you pm me the supplier please, thanks