As a homeowner looking to replace the joinery in your home, there are a number of options available in the market from steel to wood and PVC to aluminum. The mere mention of DIY aluminum could take you back to the 1980s – chunky, easily damaged door and window frames that are known to cause condensation problems. Fortunately, aluminum has come a long way since the 1980s, as has the art of carpentry, that is, building and joining the lighter features of a house like window frames.
More and more homeowners are choosing aluminum because it offers many advantages over other materials. Before investing in new window or door frames, here are some things you should know about aluminum joinery:
More windows, fewer frames
We all know the dangers of a glass house. Aside from stones, nothing beats the appearance of wide glass windows and doors. There are many advantages to installing glass doors and large windows, but often chunky frames can spoil the otherwise classic facade. However, aluminum is strong enough to support large glass frames with relatively few frames. This means more space to look out over your garden. Glass is also an excellent insulator, so this type of window should both lower your energy bills and increase your curb appeal.
Design versatility
Aluminum is no longer just a glance. The strength and lightness of the metal means it can be shaped for any style of window or door. Most suppliers have different colors to choose from, and quality suppliers like Window Factory offer a wide range of frame designs for any home.
insulation
In addition to maximizing the energy-efficient glass surface, aluminum joinery offers additional insulation advantages over wood or PVC. Nowadays aluminum joineries are equipped with thermal breaks, which allows them to insulate better than wood or steel, both of which are known to be poor in saving heat. It's also much better at limiting outside noise than PVC. Similarly, aluminum is quite stable compared to wood or plastic and will not expand or contract significantly due to changes in temperature.
Durability and weather resistance
Aluminum is a great choice for weatherproofing your windows. As a material commonly used to build spacecraft and airplanes, the benefits of this metal are easy to see. When properly processed, aluminum resists corrosion and can survive in coastal areas with strong winds and high humidity. In contrast, wood has a tendency to warp and PVC is not as strong as aluminum, even when reinforced with steel. This makes aluminum the strongest and safest option on the market. To top it off, aluminum frames are ridiculously low maintenance. An occasional quick wipe with a damp cloth can keep your frames in tip-top shape for many years.
Slim is chic
While you might not opt for aluminum joinery when renovating a historic or country house style (even some historic or conservation areas may have restrictions on the materials you can choose from), nothing beats the elegant style in modern homes. Chic, subdued colors and thin frames make aluminum frames an effortlessly cool choice for a modern home. However, the inconspicuousness of aluminum frames means they can fit into a number of different home designs without attracting too much attention.
Affordability
In addition to all of its advantages, aluminum is a preferred choice for carpentry work because of its price. While PVC is cheaper in general, aluminum makes better value in the long run due to its longer lifespan. Likewise, with some house styles, wood is unbeatable when it comes to aesthetics, but the cost can be daunting. Aluminum balances aesthetics with durability and low price, making it one of the most cost-effective materials available.
And it's good for the earth too!
A final benefit of aluminum is its environmental impact. By maximizing the glass to frame ratio, aluminum carpentry can make your home more energy efficient and ultimately reduce your carbon footprint as well as your energy costs. But the environmental benefits don't stop there. Aluminum, unlike PVC or other plastics, is a widely used recycled material and can be reused instead of ultimately increasing waste.
The bottom line
As you can see, aluminum offers a number of advantages as a joinery material. No longer the chunky, monochrome option of decades ago, aluminum is a viable option for homeowners who want affordability, durability, and aesthetics all in a single material.
