Can anyone tell me:
a) Why aluminium has largely replaced steel as a material for metal window frames?
b) Aluminium windows can be installed directly onto the brickwork, or attached to a wooden sub frame which is then attached to the brickwork. What are the relative merits of each method?
c) Do Aluminium frames corrode?
Michael Chare
Aluminium doesn't corrode, steel does.
Installation into the wood sub frame would be a quicker job, but the wood frame will still need maintenance.
No. They might discolour a little due to the atmosphere, but they easily clean up.
Steel window frames are welded then galvanised. Definitely a process for big company mass production. Aluminium windows are made up from extruded sections and joining pieces so almost anyone could start making them with a relatively small outlay.
Aluminium actually corrodes much more rapidly than steel. However, unlike steel, the corroded metal forms an excellent waterproof barrier that limits the depth of the corrosion to a microscopically thin layer.
Christian.
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