Aluminum’s light weight and strength make it a popular material for large windows and for designs when it is desirable to have a little frame material as possible. Aluminum is light weight and strong and available in a variety of styles of replacement windows. Aluminum windows are available with anodized or factory baked on enamel finishes that make them extremely durable and require little maintenance.
Typical Uses of Aluminum Windows
Aluminum windows are often used in contemporary designs because the strength of the aluminum allows for windows with very thin, low profile frames.
Advances in Aluminum Replacement Windows
The problem with aluminum as a window frame material is that it conducts heat and cold very well. To combat this, window makers add a “thermal break” to aluminum windows. The thermal break is achieved by having separate interior and exterior aluminum components joined by a less conductive material. This greatly improves the heat transfer rates of aluminum windows. When used in double pane windows, aluminum windows with a thermal break have very respectable energy efficient ratings and some are Energy Star qualified.
Advantages of Aluminum Windows
- Light weight
- Strong – can have very thin, minimalist frames
- Low maintenance
Disadvantages of Aluminum Windows
- High heat gain without thermal break