Wood-Aluminum Windows - Manufacturer Decision Aid

Hello everyone,

In our apartment renovation, wood-aluminum windows made of pine are to be installed in the living area.

So far, I have been offered windows from Isarholz (Slovenia) and Weinstock (Germany).

Prices are relatively similar and also comparable in terms of parameters, such as fittings, aluminum cladding and fastening connections, glazing. Only Weinstock has a 4-layer coating and Isarholz a 3-layer one.

I don't know who uses higher quality wood. I tend to lean towards Isarholz because I liked the local specialist dealer better and the communication went more smoothly.

We will do the installation ourselves, so it’s only about the material.

Does anyone here happen to have experience or anything that helps in deciding between Isarholz or Weinstock?

Best regards

Martin

something that helps with the decision

Only the price. Otherwise it doesn't matter (at best your visual preferences).

In our apartment renovation, wood-aluminum windows made from pine are to be installed in the living area.
So far, I have been offered windows from Isarholz (Slovenia) and Weinstock (Germany). [...]
I don’t know which uses higher-quality wood. I tend to prefer Isarholz since I liked the local specialist dealer better and the communication went more smoothly. [...]
Does anyone here happen to have experience or anything that might help decide between Isarholz or Weinstock?

I am familiar with neither Isarholz nor Weinstock. As a window manufacturer (aluminum) and later window dealer (all materials), I was convinced by Pax AG. Most manufacturers avoid the highest-quality woods because they are also harder and wear down tools faster. I would have concerns about Slovenia due to forged sustainability certificates. You will find numerous posts from me here under the search terms "Holz-Aluminium" and "Holz/Aluminium," where I explain my selection recommendation in detail.
Personally, if I want "aluminum outside and pine-look inside," I would always choose pure aluminum on the inside with a foil. I know some very eccentric people—but none who constantly touch their windows. If wood/aluminum is not priced above pure aluminum, something is wrong.

We will do the installation ourselves, so it’s only about the material.

The myth "any idiot can do four screws" is unfortunately widespread, although even a single application cures everyone. This applies especially to installations in existing buildings. If both are otherwise equally good, take the one with the more qualified installer.

I neither know Isarholz nor Weinstock. As a window manufacturer (aluminum) and later window dealer (all materials), I was convinced by PAX AG. Most manufacturers avoid the highest-quality woods because they are also harder and wear out the tools faster. I would have concerns about Slovenia due to forged sustainability certificates. You will find numerous posts from me here using the search terms "Holz-Aluminium" and "Holz/Aluminium," in which I explain my selection recommendation in detail. Personally, when wishing for "aluminum outside and pine look inside," I would always take pure aluminum inside with foil. I know some pretty odd birds - but none who constantly touch their windows. If wood/aluminum is not priced above pure aluminum, something is wrong. The myth "any fool can do four screws" is unfortunately very widespread, although even one-time application cures everyone. This applies especially when installing in existing buildings. If both are otherwise equally good, choose the one with the more qualified installer.

Thanks to you both for the feedback. I have already practiced installation with a PVC window in the children’s room. It really isn’t easy, but I trust myself to do it properly with enough time. Connection planning, etc. I did together with the specialized window trade. Another question for the pros: I am considering taking the powder-coated aluminum shell in fine structure or smooth and matte. A buddy said that fine structure is indeed less scratch-sensitive, but if one would want to repaint the aluminum shell after 20 or 30 years (e.g. due to fading or such), smooth surfaces can be repainted more easily. Is that true, can a 20 or 30-year-old fine structure also not be repainted? Obviously, it won’t look like new, I am only concerned about whether it’s possible or not. In the end, one installs HOA windows, and the aluminum shell eventually looks so worn that one is unhappy again. Therefore, the question whether it can generally be maintained is already important to me.

Another question for the pros, I am considering choosing the powder-coated aluminum shell in fine texture or smooth and matte.

Take the aluminum coated without roughening and only the wood veneer textured.

A buddy said fine texture is less prone to scratches, but if you want to repaint the aluminum shell after 20 or 30 years (e.g. because of fading or something like that), smooth surfaces can be repainted more easily. Is that true, can a 20 or 30-year-old fine texture also be overpainted? It is clear that it won’t look like new, I just want to know if it’s possible or not. In the end you install HOA windows, and the aluminum shell eventually looks so worn out that you’re unhappy again. That’s why the issue of whether it can basically be maintained is important to me.

Our aluminum windows at the standalone industrial building looked completely fresh all around (including the weather-exposed side) after over forty years. This applied without exception to all colors, and probably still does today (I left the company ten years ago).

Take the aluminum coated without roughening and only the wood veneer structured.

Our aluminum windows at the free-standing commercial building all around (including the weather side) still looked completely fresh after over forty years. This applied without exception to all colors, and probably still does today (I left the company ten years ago).

Thanks for the tip. Sorry to bother you like this, but your experience is really worth its weight in gold, thank you very much for sharing it!

What speaks for the smooth powder coating for you? Both the window manufacturer and the web recommend fine structure because it is supposedly more durable and also looks more valuable. Of course, it costs a bit extra compared to smooth.
Is it simply your experience that fine structure is unnecessary and offers no advantages?