Plastic windows - vs. windows with aluminum cladding

Good day everyone,

we currently have an offer from a general contractor. The calculation is for standard plastic windows – colored on the outside, white on the inside.

The additional cost for windows with aluminum cladding on the outside – the windows remain white on the inside – is €3,800.00.

Now we are asking ourselves: to do it or not? Where is the added value here?

In my opinion, visually it is hardly distinguishable when the windows are colored foil on the outside. Plastic windows are just as easy to maintain, aren't they?

Surcharge for windows with aluminum cladding on the outside - the windows remain white on the inside - is €3,800.00.

That seems to me like money thrown away with this trade. What color is it supposed to be? (Gealan makes plastic windows with an integrated color coating, but I would not want to foil the inside to keep it white – therefore, I recommend this alternative only if you can also imagine the exterior color as the interior color of the windows).

According to our window specialist , it is difficult to make another comment about windows, but I will try anyway.

1. Are they otherwise the same windows since not every manufacturer offers an aluminum cladding?

2. Internorm offers aluminum cladding multiple times a year for free (promotion). That is why we opted for this variant (KF410). We also prefer the tactile feel, and the same color looks different in aluminum than on plastic. But who really stands outside and strokes their window profiles? By the way, our windows remain white on the inside.

3. Subjectively, I would also think aluminum resists "the weather" longer than plastic without changing. But I could be totally wrong about that...

If our provider had asked for such an additional cost (we are getting a total of 20 windows), we would certainly have considered whether it is worth it for us.

3. Subjectively, I would also say that aluminum withstands "the weather" longer than plastic without changing. But I could be totally wrong about that...

You’re absolutely right: aluminum contains no plasticizers, aluminum does not become brittle. Since aluminum can be well coated and is done so, I am not familiar with foil-coated aluminum (our customers were not interested in a wood look); therefore, I would have to compare apples to oranges when it comes to surface abrasion. The fact is: depending on quality, PVC still looks acceptable after fifteen years, whereas aluminum still looks like new after forty years. That is why I always say, measured by the price premium, saving on PVC instead of aluminum is penny wise, pound foolish. Unfortunately, aluminum hardly competes on price, while PVC competes very strongly, so aluminum often appears on the market at 120% (price index PVC = 100) significantly more expensive (fair price 120:100, discount price 118:70 – understandable that the "smart shopper" then chooses PVC). The unfortunate fact is also that regarding the visual surface quality of new products, even I as a former aluminum window manufacturer have to look "with a magnifying glass" to discern the difference – at least up to three or sometimes five years. At home I have both: PVC for the windows in the apartment (and I clearly say: I don't blame landlords for this attitude, it’s good enough for tenants) as well as aluminum for the front door. If I built it myself, I would keep things reasonable for the toilet window, it wouldn’t need a star on the badge even for me, but for key elements (especially front door, sliding terrace doors) I "don’t mess around."

We are really seriously considering whether we should invest significantly more money here and opt for "better" windows.

Plastic windows don’t last a lifetime, right? We are in our late 20s – so the windows should last 60 years. A complete aluminum window can do that, correct? The plastic windows are basically done after 40 years, right?

The aluminum cladding on the outside might fulfill its purpose regarding weather resistance, but the core is still made of plastic. Wood-aluminum windows are basically out for us, since wood is quite maintenance-intensive and doesn’t last longer than an aluminum window in my opinion. Also, we don’t like the look of wood inside, so that really doesn’t make sense.

Since we would like to have colored windows inside as well (my wife doesn’t like white at all visually), the question now is:

- Foiled on the outside and inside (not anthracite but rather a light gray so that the interior does not look too oppressive and dark)
or
Simply a complete aluminum window – this way the window won’t warp (I’m a bit skeptical about UV protection on the outside with the foil)... Here you could have a nice light gray inside and outside, and basically have 60 years of peace and wouldn’t have to think about replacing the windows after 30-40 years.

My question also means, and she is somewhat right about this:

A roof and the windows – those should somehow last a lifetime...

What do you think about our thesis?

Please really put the costs aside! An assessment/evaluation purely based on my requirements, please!

We had a middle way, windows made of PVC and removed from the GU, front door made of aluminum. The identical door at the GU had a 150% surcharge. Don’t fall into the GU surcharge trap, PVC 100% and aluminum 180% (You want something better and don’t compare)