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As trade professionals, choosing between uPVC and aluminium can significantly impact a project’s success. At Trade Windows Bristol, with over 40 years of experience manufacturing both materials, we’ve developed comprehensive expertise to help you make informed decisions for your installations.
The choice between uPVC and aluminium extends beyond simple material preferences. Each offers distinct advantages for different installations, affecting everything from thermal performance to aesthetic appeal.
This guide will explain both materials, their main benefits, why a client would prefer one over the other, and our products.
Understanding Aluminium as a Material
Aluminium has transformed modern construction, offering exceptional strength and style. Its popularity has surged in recent years due to advances in thermal break technology and finishing techniques. This highly durable material delivers outstanding strength while maintaining the sleek, contemporary aesthetics that modern architects and homeowners desire.
The material’s inherent strength allows for slimmer frames and larger glazed areas, maximising natural light while ensuring performance. Aluminium used to have a reputation for worse energy efficiency, but today’s aluminium products feature thermal break technology, delivering energy efficiency that can match more traditional materials.
Why Choose Aluminium?
Design Possibilities
Aluminium’s inherent strength increases what’s possible in architectural design. The material’s structural capabilities allow for dramatically larger glazed areas and slimmer frames. This can create striking contemporary aesthetics while maximising natural light. For projects where aesthetics is paramount, aluminium is often preferred to uPVC.
Commercial Environments
Aluminium excels in a commercial setting. Our aluminium shopfronts and commercial entrances provide the durability needed for constant use while offering excellent security features. The material’s fire resistance and structural stability make it particularly suitable for buildings where safety regulations are stringent.
Long-Term Value
While the initial investment in aluminium may be higher than uPVC, the long-term value is often higher. Aluminium’s has a long lifespan that can exceed 45 years, with minimal deterioration in performance or appearance. This long term longevity, combined with little maintenance requirements, makes aluminium particularly cost-effective when considered over the long run.
Environmental Credentials
Aluminium is 100% recyclable without losing quality, and recycled aluminium requires only 5% of the energy needed to produce new aluminium. This sustainability, combined with modern thermal break technology that ensures excellent energy efficiency, makes aluminium an environmentally responsible choice.
Thermal Performance Evolution
Modern aluminium systems have revolutionised thermal performance through sophisticated thermal break technology. Our Smart Systems products incorporate polyamide thermal breaks, contributing to U-values rivalling uPVC alternatives. This advancement has eliminated historical concerns about aluminium’s thermal efficiency, making it suitable for projects with the strictest energy requirements.
Weather Resistance
Aluminium’s natural resistance to corrosion makes it ideal for challenging environments. Unlike other materials, it won’t warp, crack, or deteriorate under harsh weather conditions. This makes it particularly suitable for coastal locations or high-rise installations where materials face environmental stresses.
When Does Your Client Need Aluminium?
While aluminium may represent a higher initial investment than uPVC, its longevity, minimal maintenance requirements, and superior structural capabilities make it the optimal choice for projects where performance and visual impact are paramount.
Aluminium is particularly suited for:
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- Project needing contemporary aesthetics with slim sightlines
- Commercial projects requiring strong, low-maintenance solutions
- Modern home developments where premium quality is essential
- Projects featuring large glass areas or structural glazing
- Coastal properties requiring weather resistance
- Developments where sustainability credentials are crucial
Aluminium Products at Trade Windows Bristol
Aluminium Windows
Our modern aluminium window solutions from Smart Systems represent the pinnacle of modern window design. The Alitherm Range delivers market-leading thermal efficiency with U-values as low as 1.3 W/m²K. The Alitherm Range is fully compatible with triple glazing up to 44mm, allowing clients to have stylish windows without sacrificing thermal efficiency.
The Eco-Futural window system takes contemporary design to new heights. Its slim sightlines maximise natural light while maintaining structural integrity. The innovative polyamide thermal break technology ensures compliance with Document L requirements, making these windows equally suitable for residential and commercial applications. With triple glazing, these windows can achieve a U-value as low as 1.1 W/m²K.
Aluminium Doors
Our aluminium door range encompasses solutions for every application. The Visofold bi-fold door series includes the Visofold 1000, providing contemporary styling with maximum opening capability. For larger commercial applications, the Visofold 2000 offers improved strength and durability, while the Visofold 6000 presents our premium slim-line solution for projects demanding ultimate aesthetics. Achieving U-values as low as 1.6 W/m²K, they offer outstanding thermal performance without compromising on style or functionality.
We also provide aluminium entrance doors, expertly crafted by Smart Systems, to deliver the perfect blend of design and performance. These feature fully insulated door panels and thermal barrier technology, complete with PAS 24 security certification.
Curtain Walling and Shop Fronts
Our curtain walling solutions demonstrate aluminium’s versatility in modern architecture. The MC 600 System provides a comprehensive solution for multi-story applications. The MC Wall system offers excellent thermal performance, making it ideal for modern commercial buildings where energy efficiency is important.
In the commercial sector, our aluminium shopfronts withstand high-traffic environments while maintaining an appealing aesthetic. Integration with our door systems creates seamless entrances with strong security features to protect commercial assets.
Understanding uPVC as a Material
uPVC has revolutionised the window and door industry. Modern uPVC systems offer exceptional thermal efficiency and insulation. The material’s versatility allows for diverse applications while being more affordable than aluminium.
Why Choose uPVC?
Superior Thermal Performance
While aluminium has made significant strides in energy efficiency through thermal break technology, uPVC remains the market leader for heat retention. The multi-chambered profiles in modern uPVC window frames create natural thermal barriers, significantly reducing heat transfer.
Cost-Effective
uPVC provides style and energy efficiency at a more accessible price point. The initial installation costs are typically lower than aluminium, yet the material delivers comparable security levels and excellent durability. This makes uPVC particularly attractive for large-scale residential projects and property developers with strict budgets.
Versatility in Design
Gone are the days of limited white profiles – today’s wide range of colours and finishes includes everything from contemporary shades to bold statements and authentic woodgrain effects. Our flush sash windows and vertical sliders demonstrate how uPVC can faithfully replicate traditional timber designs, making it an popular choice for period properties and conservation areas.
Minimal Maintenance Requirements
Low maintenance is a key priority for many clients. uPVC excels in this area, only requiring occasional cleaning to maintain its appearance and performance. Unlike timber, it won’t rot, warp, or need repainting.
Sound Insulation Properties
Modern living demands effective sound insulation, and uPVC’s natural acoustic dampening properties make it excellent for noise reduction. When combined with high quality double glazing, our uPVC products can significantly reduce external noise, making them ideal for properties near busy roads, urban areas, or flight paths.
Perfect for Residential Projects
The combination of thermal efficiency, sound insulation, and low maintenance makes uPVC particularly suited to residential applications. From new build developments to renovation projects, uPVC provides homeowners with products that improve their property’s comfort, security, and value while requiring minimal upkeep.
Proven Track Record
With decades of successful installations across the UK, uPVC is still the most popular residential and commercial building material and has demonstrated its reliability and performance. The material has evolved significantly, with modern systems offering better security and improved aesthetics.
When Does Your Client Need uPVC?
While both materials have their place in modern construction, uPVC is particularly well-suited for projects where cost-effectiveness needs to be balanced with high performance. In the residential sector, uPVC is prized for its affordability, thermal efficiency, and low maintenance.
uPVC is particularly suited for:
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- Residential developments where cost-effectiveness is crucial
- Period properties requiring authentic timber alternatives
- Projects where maximum thermal efficiency is essential
- Properties needing sound insulation
uPVC Products at Trade Windows Bristol
Window Systems
The Elite 63 System represents the evolution of uPVC technology. Its 5-chamber design optimises thermal efficiency, while compatibility with 36mm triple glazing provides outstanding insulation possibilities. Multiple weather seals ensure excellent protection against the elements, creating a comprehensive solution.
Our Elite 70 System advances performance further with its 6-chamber profile. Supporting 40mm triple glazing options and offering both bevelled and sculptured aesthetics, this system delivers superior thermal performance while maintaining design flexibility.
We offer several uPVC window styles, including casement, flush sash, vertical sliders, tilt and turn and fully reversible.
uPVC Doors
Our French doors feature dual opening operation and high-security locking systems, creating a practical and secure entrance solution. Low threshold options improve accessibility while matching sidelight capabilities add to the design options.
Our patio door range incorporates smooth sliding mechanisms and multi-point locking systems. Available in various configurations, these doors provide excellent thermal performance while maximising natural light and views.
Why Choose Trade Windows Bristol?
Our state-of-the-art 40,000-square-foot manufacturing facility produces over 500 frames weekly, ensuring consistent quality and reliable supply. We provide comprehensive technical support, extensive product knowledge, and competitive trade pricing backed by decades of industry experience.
Partner with Trade Windows Bristol for Your Next Project
The choice between uPVC and aluminium ultimately depends on specific project requirements, budget constraints, and design objectives. Both materials offer excellent performance characteristics when properly installed.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for expert guidance on your next project. We are always happy to offer advice and answer questions.
You can call us on 0117 978 4444, email us at sales@tradewindowsbristol.com or use our online contact form.
Our experienced technical department stands ready to assist with product selection, specifications, and installation guidance.
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