Aluminium Windows

[Phil]

I am looking for advice on replacing very old Aluminium Double Glazing windows.

I have had 2 double glazing companies give quotes and "advice". Both members are registered with GGF and FENSA.

One company extols the virtue of Aluminium Double Glazing for its toughness, durability and looks.

The second company said that Aluminium windows must be put into hardwood frames to allow the aluminium to "move" during different weather conditions. If fitted directly into the brick, there is a chance that the glass may crack. This company did not push their aluminium product, so I was a bit suspicious about the remarks.

Can anyone tell me whether fitting Aluminium windows without a hardwood surround is a problem and if so why?

Thanks

Phil

[Phil Anthropist]

I don't see how a hardwood frame will allow much movement. The sealed units, frame and window opening should expand and contract slightly at a similar rate as the temperature changes. I have seen aluminium frames with and without hardwood surrounds. In my opinion the frames with hardwood surrounds look better in domestic properties, aluminium without hardwood looks OK in commercial and industrial buildings. Have you seen what the windows look like in both these companies showrooms?

[Phil]

Unfortunately, one national company does not have a showroom (the one who wants to push uPVC).

We have seen the aluminium windows sold by the other company and the finish seems good (better than uPVC) and also have a good local reputation. I take your point about hardwood surrounds but then wooden windows all round look better. Like most people these days, we are looking for a relative low maintenance window.

Phil

[Alec]

Some interesting info here:

[Steven Briggs]

In message , Phil writes

I have aluminium in hardwood subframes, which are at least 20, if not closer to 30 years old. I've just done my every 3 years maintenance of the subframes. Wash down, wipe over with fine sandpaper, 1 coat of woodstain. Around 10 minutes per window, every 3 years. Not really a great effort is it?. I've a couple of misting units to deal with sometime, but at this age its to be expected, and frame material is irrelevant. One of the frames on the north side (most neglected side) has a little rot in one corner, but the rest look perfect with a fresh coat of stain.

[Guy King]

The message from Steven Briggs contains these words:

One of mine has died, but the rest are fine. It started to rot before we bought the place and one of these days I must get it out and replace the sill. Trouble is you can't get the aluminium subframe out until you've taken the wood out of the wall and taken the sill off so it can slide out.

[adrian.kefford]

Phil, I'd go with aluminium frames any day of the week. They obviously don' t rot like timber frames and will last forever without the maintenance hass le of timber frames. I'd also suspect they will get better thermal performa nce. Avanti have a thermal break product which is a thermaly broken alumini um frame which might be of interested? There's a video here:

[Peter Parry]

[Dave Plowman (News)]

When did that ever stop the spammers?