The type of material you use when renovating the windows of your home will also heavily depend on your taste and preferences, as well as the level of durability, your maintenance needs and long-term expenses. Aluminium and wooden windows are the most popular windows among the homeowners, and all of them have their own benefits and limitations. Being aware of these variations will enable you to make a wise decision that will suit your budget and lifestyle, and property aspirations.
Weather Resistance and Durability
Wooden windows have been beautifying the homes of people since ancient times due to their vintage beauty and natural warmth. Nevertheless, they have high maintenance needs to resist weathering, rotting and insect attack. In damp climates such as the coasts, wood takes in moisture, and thus it warps and decays. Unless the wooden frames are regularly painted or stained, they can deteriorate rapidly, and could cost thousands of dollars to fix or to replace.
Weather resistance Aluminium windows, in contrast, are better and do not require very much maintenance. The material is not rotting or warping and does not absorb moisture, thus it is suitable in harsh climatic conditions. Aluminium frames have a life span of decades with minimum care and maintenance- the only thing that is normally done is a regular cleaning. This is the benefit of durability of aluminium, which makes it very useful to the homeowners that are interested in long term reliability. Glass & Allied Aluminium Windows & Doors Cape Town deals in manufacturing quality aluminium products that resist the weather conditions experienced in South Africa and they remain structurally sound and aesthetically attractive.
Maintenance Requirements and Costs
Wooden windows require frequent maintenance. Repaint or restainment of homes by homeowners needs to be done in every few years, which is labor intensive and a continuous cost. Any traces of rot or damages should be promptly subject of professional attention in order to avoid structural complications. These servicing requirements may add a significant sum of money throughout the life of a window.
All these issues are eliminated using aluminium windows. They can be washed by just using simple wash of mild soap and water and they appear clean. The frames do not require painting or protective measures and hence it saves time and money during the entire period of operation. This is a practical advantage which cannot be overestimated by busy homeowners.
Insulation and Energy Efficiency
Wooden frames are usually superior in terms of insulation properties compared to aluminium because wood has a natural insulating property. Yet, this gap is closed down to a great extent by modern aluminium windows which have thermal breaks and double or triple-glazing. Modern aluminium framed windows with latest glazing technology may perform equally or even better in energy efficiency than wooden windows and need no maintenance to maintain high performance.
The benefits of wooden frames should be sealed and maintained yet they are naturally insulating. Unkept wooden frames do not ensure the effectiveness of insulation, and they have to be repaired at high costs.
Aesthetic Considerations
Wooden windows also possess classic beauty and cozy quality that most owners would love to have especially in old or traditional houses. They offer old-fashioned appeal and nature that cannot be imitated very easily.
Aluminium windows are smooth and modern with slim lines that give the maximum area of the glass and modernism. They come in different colors and finishes to suit different architectural designs, including minimalist designs and conventional looks.
Conclusion
It will be up to you whether to use aluminium or wooden windows depending on your priorities. Wooden windows might be of interest to you in case you like the traditional design, and you are not afraid of their frequent maintenance. Aluminium windows are however the better investment as far as the home owners are concerned with long term value, low maintenance, energy efficient and practical. The current technology in aluminium is a combination of performance, reliability and style with no maintenance cost associated with the alternatives of wood.