Alu Clad or uPVC Windows

Hi guys,

Just looking for some advice on windows. We've been quoted 24k for alu clad windows on remodelled house with extension. The uPVC are coming in at around 15K.

My question is: are alu clad windows really worth spending that much more money on? Architect and builder both seem to be pushing for alu clad but I have three lots of friends who I know went with uPVC and seem pretty happy.

If I go for the uPVC on most of house, I am thinking of spending some of the difference on high quality slider and triple glazing in open plan at the back of the house and on a bespoke window panel on the extension, and perhaps an additional roof light upstairs.

Any advice appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

mloc123

Who are supplying the aluclad option?

We recently got aluclad windows in to replace PVC. No comparison IMO, the quality and finish is much, much nicer. Visually they are cleaner than the bulky PVC frames.

mloc123

mloc123 wrote: »

Who are supplying the aluclad option?

We recently got aluclad windows in to replace PVC. No comparison IMO, the quality and finish is much, much nicer. Visually they are cleaner than the bulky PVC frames.

Considering ****, but told up to 12 week lead time and time is tight for us. Told ****** can have UPVC in three weeks.

From what I have seen of friends' places, the new uPVC from *** are pretty slick and far less bulky than predecessors.

But, yeah, the outside of the house is being rendered so the cleaner, crisper the frame the better.

mloc123

Deleted User wrote: »

Considering Rationel, but told up to 12 week lead time and time is tight for us. Told Munster Joinery can have UPVC in three weeks.

From what I have seen of friends' places, the new uPVC from MJ are pretty slick and far less bulky than predecessors.

But, yeah, the outside of the house is being rendered so the cleaner, crisper the frame the better.

We got Rationel, 8 week turnaround on them. IMO there is no comparison (having got new Munster PVC in our last house 4 years ago). Go take a look in the showrooms, it comes down to budget I know but the aluclad are a much nicer window.

mloc123

mloc123 wrote: »

We got ****, 8 week turnaround on them. IMO there is no comparison (having got new Munster PVC in our last house 4 years ago). Go take a look in the showrooms, it comes down to budget I know but the aluclad are a much nicer window.

Cool, thanks for the advice. I'll have to hit the showrooms I suppose, but if there is that much of a difference in quality of the alu clad, I would considering forking out.

BryanF

Please read forum charter - and stop discussing specific companies on thread.

All it takes is for a sales claim to be countered by a negative experience and boards have a defamation suit to deal with

BryanF

BryanF wrote: »

Please read forum charter - and stop discussing specific companies on thread.

All it takes is for a sales claim to be countered by a negative experience and boards have a defamation suit to deal with

Apologies, hadn't realised you could not mention companies in a general context. Names removed from my posts now.

Calahonda52

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057621478
more if you use this

calahonda52 aluclad site:boards.ie

mloc123

Calahonda52 wrote: »

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057621478
more if you use this

calahonda52 aluclad site:boards.ie

None of which is applicable to the make of window he is looking at

JonathonS

With aluclad you get a sleek finish, a wide choice of exterior colours, and typically a nice wood interior. They add to the houe.

With plastic you get......plastic, and it looks like plastic.

Try to stretch the budget to aluclad.

dubrov

UPVC is much better these days providing you go with a high quality manufacturer. Make sure they are steel reenforced.

It mainly comes down to what you like the look and feel of. Personally Aluclad dues nothing for me.

Go see the windows in real life and make a decision then.

Thanks guys. Based on my research and what I am hearing here, uPVC can work well if you go with certain manufacturers. Looks like my weekend will be spent trawling window and door showrooms!

Brenk39

There is a company in Cork that do a wood grain finish (decoral) to alu profiles. It comes in a variety of shades too.

Google it as it might do as an inbetween PVC & AluClad

fatty pang

mloc123 wrote: »

None of which is applicable to the make of window he is looking at

It's a reflex action with him every time alu-clad windows are mentioned. The same stuff is just regurgitated.

fatty pang

dubrov wrote: »

UPVC is much better these days providing you go with a high quality manufacturer.

The problem for the punter is sorting out the wheat from the chaff.

fatty pang

Brenk39 wrote: »

There is a company in Cork that do a wood grain finish (decoral) to alu profiles. It comes in a variety of shades too.

Google it as it might do as an inbetween PVC & AluClad

There's another (big) company in Cork that does an alu-clad PVC window with an internal timber lining. The worst of both worlds, after a fashion.

I would strongly advise avoiding 'wood-effect' PVC. Even the industry is nervous - http://www.windowsactive.com/foil-base-surface-stability-ticking-time-bomb/

Thanks folks. We have seen a friend's PVC from a well known Cork company over the weekend and they look really slick. Will do the rounds of the manufacturers and see what the research throws up.

GaGa21

If anyone has a Leinster based recommendation, please pm me!

Mac0783

Hi, Could you PM me the manufacturer? Aluclad are outside out budget but the PVC ones we've seen so far look quite bulky.. thanks.

BryanF

Deleted User wrote: »

We have seen a friend's PVC from a well known Cork company over the weekend and they look really slick.

Assume this sarcasm?

g1983d

When we were building my preference was for triple glazed alu clad, 1 company gave us a price similar to your quote, decided that was too expensive so shopped around, company 2 that don't do alu clad quoted a lot lot less for triple pvc, same uvalu and seriously good quality, went back to company 1 with this and they dropped their price so much that the difference was tiny and got the triple alu .
Delighted with them

BryanF

BryanF wrote: »

Assume this sarcasm?

You assumed incorrectly. Friend completed a refurb and invited us to see the completed job. PVC windows looked really well.

Mac0783

Hi, Could you PM me the company please?

BryanF

Deleted User wrote: »

You assumed incorrectly. Friend completed a refurb and invited us to see the completed job. PVC windows looked really well.

We’ll have to agree to disagree on what looks slick or well, when it comes to a well known cork pvc win supplier.

BryanF

BryanF wrote: »

We’ll have to agree to disagree on what looks slick or well, when it comes to a well known cork pvc win supplier.

Each to their own etc. Of the three different pvc windows I have seen, theirs is the best so far. I'll keep looking.

PS, thanks for your helpful contribution to the thread! Hint: that's sarcasm...

BryanF

I have both these windows and well known alu windows installed, the pvc look sh1te in comparison

BryanF

BryanF wrote: »

I have both these windows and well known alu windows installed, the pvc look sh1te in comparison

Fair enough. I'll stick you down in the neh to PVC column so Bryan!

kuro2k

Hi all,

I would be grateful if anyone could PM me recommended suppliers of pvc and aluclad windows in cork area

Thanks

g1983d

kuro2k wrote: »

Hi all,

I would be grateful if anyone could PM me recommended suppliers of pvc and aluclad windows in cork area

Thanks

Most suppliers are national but I'll pm you the 2 I've experience of

GaGa21

g1983d wrote:

When we were building my preference was for triple glazed alu clad, 1 company gave us a price similar to your quote, decided that was too expensive so shopped around, company 2 that don't do alu clad quoted a lot lot less for triple pvc, same uvalu and seriously good quality, went back to company 1 with this and they dropped their price so much that the difference was tiny and got the triple alu . Delighted with them

Can you pm me the names of both companies please! Thanks.

degetme

g1983d wrote: »

When we were building my preference was for triple glazed alu clad, 1 company gave us a price similar to your quote, decided that was too expensive so shopped around, company 2 that don't do alu clad quoted a lot lot less for triple pvc, same uvalu and seriously good quality, went back to company 1 with this and they dropped their price so much that the difference was tiny and got the triple alu .
Delighted with them

Can you private message me the names of both companies please.
Thanks.

whosedaddy?

g1983d wrote: »

When we were building my preference was for triple glazed alu clad, 1 company gave us a price similar to your quote, decided that was too expensive so shopped around, company 2 that don't do alu clad quoted a lot lot less for triple pvc, same uvalu and seriously good quality, went back to company 1 with this and they dropped their price so much that the difference was tiny and got the triple alu .
Delighted with them

could you pm me the names of those companies..

Vegeta

If someone could PM me who they'd recommend for triple glazed alu-clad I'd really appreciate it.

Visited a very large Cork manufacturer's showroom today. Best way to see the difference in quality between UPVC and the aluclad. The biggest thing I took from the trip was the lack of choice they had in colours. We are set on black or dark grey but they only have the standard grey that every new house seems to have these days. On top of that, we were looking for a really slick slider for the back of the house with thin frames, but they only seemed to have really chunky aluclad sliders.

Unfortunately, that rules them out for us so I'm going to use my week off work to hit a few more showrooms in the morning and will report back.

JLN

g1983d wrote: »

When we were building my preference was for triple glazed alu clad, 1 company gave us a price similar to your quote, decided that was too expensive so shopped around, company 2 that don't do alu clad quoted a lot lot less for triple pvc, same uvalu and seriously good quality, went back to company 1 with this and they dropped their price so much that the difference was tiny and got the triple alu .
Delighted with them

Could you PM me the names of both companies also. Thank you.

flashforward

Appreciate if you could PM names also

Hi folks. So I've had lots of quotes from different companies for the job we are doing. The difference in quality of product, price, variety of products and the difference in service between the companies is incredible. Most companies do specific things so if you are looking for particular colours and bespoke windows or sliders, your choices will automatically be reduced. If anyone wants any advice, please feel free to PM me on the initial phase (we haven't ordered yet but have a very good idea now of who to deal with).

One question: we still have not ruled out Aluclad, but the large Cork company don't have the colour we want and the national company have too long a lead time for us so neither are going to work. Have seen aluclad at a few smaller companies but they didn't have the sliding doors we wanted. Can anyone else recommend an aluclad supplier in or near Cork (by PM)?

realtec

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Hi folks. So I've had lots of quotes from different companies for the job we are doing. The difference in quality of product, price, variety of products and the difference in service between the companies is incredible. Most companies do specific things so if you are looking for particular colours and bespoke windows or sliders, your choices will automatically be reduced. If anyone wants any advice, please feel free to PM me on the initial phase (we haven't ordered yet but have a very good idea now of who to deal with).

One question: we still have not ruled out Aluclad, but the large Cork company don't have the colour we want and the national company have too long a lead time for us so neither are going to work. Have seen aluclad at a few smaller companies but they didn't have the sliding doors we wanted. Can anyone else recommend an aluclad supplier in or near Cork (by PM)?

i got Aluclad from the large Cork company. They have standard colours in the brochure, but there is no problem with a custom colour once you know the RAL number. I just supplied the RAL i wanted.

realtec

realtec wrote: »

i got Aluclad from the large Cork company. They have standard colours in the brochure, but there is no problem with a custom colour once you know the RAL number. I just supplied the RAL i wanted.

Thanks for that. When was that? We were told they didn't do the colour we were looking for.

greenasil

I'm also looking for recommendations for either aluclad or high-quality uPVC windows. Please PM me

cubix

Has anyone found the below items are standard on new windows when looking for new units (pvc or aluclad) or is it a case only a select few manufactures are fitting these items.

Frames: Steel reinforced

Locks:Bear Grip multipoint, may be others but seen ERA as one manufacture.
Hinge guards

Munster_Fan

Hi all,

I would be grateful if anyone could PM me recommended suppliers of pvc and aluclad windows in cork area

Thanks