11ant
2019-12-26 15:45:27
- #1
I am exclusively interested in my own experiences with my own project. Ideally also over a certain period of time - for example after four/five years. We are considering wood/aluminum windows.
What I wrote about quality assurance with licensed products applies regardless of the material used; most aluminum windows are effectively Schüco even from Ganzfeitfortistan. I managed an aluminum window manufacturer (with its own profile system) and when deciding to give up our own production, of course I looked critically at where you can buy without fear for the product’s reputation. I found some companies in both Benelux and the quasi antipodes (PL / CZ / SK) as well as other neighboring countries that met this criterion. Mind you, the benchmark was our own products, which still looked fresh after 40 years (and were still top-notch except for readjustments of the fittings).
Wood/aluminum, however, decidedly clashes with the desire,
where we can save a few bucks.
In our case, only Pax AG scored fully with wood/aluminum. Since I have been active in this forum, I have increasingly come across wood/aluminum windows here that are even offered cheaper than aluminum “pure”: in my opinion - a conviction to the contrary is still outstanding - this is only possible if you use wood qualities that existentially need the aluminum shell in order to be weatherproof overall. In my characteristically blunt wording - everyone may evaluate the real core at their own risk - these become “sheeted roofing battens.”
Aluminum costs about 20% more - however, PVC competes on price on a completely different scale, so that on the market it is practically not 120 : 100, but rather 120 : 90 or 120 : 80. Wood/aluminum would then in the worst case even be 140 : 80, the exact opposite of “saved on procurement” - even though in my opinion it pays off in the long run.
I therefore tend to recommend aluminum “pure,” without hesitation also from PL / CZ / SK; and moreover without fear of surfaces that feel cold to the touch; the decors are credibly “real” like with furniture. Aluminum from Benelux is not significantly more expensive, but there are lower language barriers when ordering. But best base that on where your installing dealer has their connections.