Capral Aluminium Ltd explains why aluminium windows make for a much better choice over conventional timber and uPVC alternatives.
Aluminium windows deliver multiple performance, maintenance and cost advantages over the more expensive timber and uPVC equivalents.
1 Thermal Performance
Designed to meet or exceed energy efficiency standards, high performance aluminium windows can easily achieve improvements in heat gain and heat loss through windows by 60% rivalling the more expensive timber and uPVC equivalents.
2 Carbon Footprint
Aluminium double glazed windows installed in an average gas heated home in Melbourne will deliver CO2e savings of almost three times that was required to produce the aluminium frames, within the first year. Over the life of the building, energy savings outweigh the initial energy input by well over 100 times. Electrically heated or cooled homes can achieve savings close to 300 times.
3 Durability and Low Maintenance
The corrosion resistant aluminium is a low maintenance material and can withstand weathering in harsh environmental conditions. Unlike many other materials, it will not swell, crack, split or warp over time, ensuring an extended product life for the windows. Additionally, aluminium can be anodised or painted for additional protection or decorative finishes.
4 Affordability
Aluminium frames provide a significantly less expensive option compared to other framing options, combining economy and robustness in an energy efficient window solution.
5 Design Flexibility
The inherent strength of aluminium combined with its flexibility allows the material to be used to design and manufacture frames to exacting specifications. With an endless array of systems, finishes and glass options, aluminium offers a vast range of possibilities from the economical to more elaborate systems while also delivering excellent thermal performance.
6 Finishes
Aluminium windows and doors come with a range of finishing options, allowing them to be perfectly matched to any decor. Powder coating provides an attractive finish to aluminium frames and does not require repainting. The Interpon colour range gives the freedom to create the desired look using a variety of natural colours to blend into the environment as well as a selection of unique pearl and metallic finishes.
Recommended for both interior and exterior applications, anodised finishes can provide excellent corrosion resistance and a wide range of colour options. A timber look can also be achieved on aluminium using DecoWood and Knotwood, two highly durable marine grade powder coatings providing a timber finish without the maintenance issues associated with timber.
7 Recyclability
An environmentally sustainable material, aluminium has one of the highest recycling rates of any metal, with recycling requiring only five percent of the initial energy consumed to create it.
8 Short Payback Period
Payback periods on high performance aluminium windows are typically far shorter than for other alternatives, which offer only marginally improved performance at a far higher price.
