Good day everyone,
We currently have an offer from a general contractor. The calculation is based on standard uPVC windows – colored on the outside, white on the inside.
The additional cost for windows with an aluminum cladding on the outside – while keeping the inside white – is €3,800.00.
Now we are wondering: should we go for it or not? Where is the added value here?
In my opinion, there is hardly any visual difference when the windows are color foil wrapped on the outside. uPVC windows are just as easy to maintain, aren’t they?
We currently have an offer from a general contractor. The calculation is based on standard uPVC windows – colored on the outside, white on the inside.
The additional cost for windows with an aluminum cladding on the outside – while keeping the inside white – is €3,800.00.
Now we are wondering: should we go for it or not? Where is the added value here?
In my opinion, there is hardly any visual difference when the windows are color foil wrapped on the outside. uPVC windows are just as easy to maintain, aren’t they?
exto1791 schrieb:
The additional cost for windows with aluminum cladding on the outside – the inside of the windows remain white – is €3,800.00.That seems like money thrown away in this trade to me. What color are you planning to choose? (Gealan manufactures uPVC windows with an integrated color coating, but I wouldn’t want to have foil on the inside in order to keep it white there – so I only recommend this alternative if you can also imagine having the exterior color on the inside of the windows).https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
K
knalltüte28 Sep 2020 18:17According to our window specialist @11ant, it's difficult to add another comment about windows, but I’ll try anyway.
1. Are they basically the same windows otherwise? Not every manufacturer offers an aluminum cladding (aluminum cover) option.
2. Internorm offers aluminum cladding several times a year for free (promotion). That’s why we chose this version (KF410). We also prefer the feel, and the same color looks different on aluminum compared to plastic. But who stands outside and strokes their window profiles? Our windows remain white on the inside, by the way.
3. I *feel* like aluminum holds up to weather longer than plastic without changing. But I could be completely wrong...
If our supplier had charged an additional fee for this (we have a total of 20 windows), we would definitely have considered whether it was worth it for us.
1. Are they basically the same windows otherwise? Not every manufacturer offers an aluminum cladding (aluminum cover) option.
2. Internorm offers aluminum cladding several times a year for free (promotion). That’s why we chose this version (KF410). We also prefer the feel, and the same color looks different on aluminum compared to plastic. But who stands outside and strokes their window profiles? Our windows remain white on the inside, by the way.
3. I *feel* like aluminum holds up to weather longer than plastic without changing. But I could be completely wrong...
If our supplier had charged an additional fee for this (we have a total of 20 windows), we would definitely have considered whether it was worth it for us.
superzapp schrieb:
3. Subjectively, I would also say that aluminum withstands “the weather” longer than plastic without changing. But I could be completely wrong about that... You are quite right there: aluminum contains no plasticizers and does not become brittle. Since aluminum can be easily coated and usually is, I don’t know of any foil-coated aluminum (our customers were not interested in a wood look), so I would be comparing apples to oranges when it comes to surface abrasion. The fact is: PVC still looks acceptable after about fifteen years depending on quality, whereas aluminum looks like new even after forty years. That’s why I always say that, considering the price difference, choosing PVC over aluminum is a false economy. Unfortunately, aluminum rarely competes on price, while PVC does very strongly, so aluminum often appears significantly more expensive on the market with about 120% (price index PVC = 100), that is, a fair price comparison of 120:100, but discount prices can be around 118:70 – so it’s understandable that the “bargain hunter” opts for PVC. The fact is also that when judging the surface quality of new products, even I, as a former aluminum window manufacturer, have to look “under a magnifying glass” to detect a difference—at least within the first three or sometimes five years. At home I have both: PVC windows in the apartment (and I have to say, I don’t blame landlords for this choice; it is good enough for tenants) and aluminum at the front door. If I built myself, I would keep expectations modest for the toilet window, which doesn’t need to be top grade even for me, but for high-stress elements (especially the front door and sliding patio doors) “I don’t mess around.”
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
We are seriously considering whether we should invest significantly more money here and go for "better" windows.
Plastic windows don’t last a lifetime, right? We are in our late 20s, so the windows should last about 60 years. A complete aluminum window can do that, correct? The plastic windows are basically worn out after 40 years, right?
The aluminum cladding on the outside may serve its purpose regarding weather resistance, but the core is still made of plastic. Wood-aluminum windows are basically out of the question for us, since wood requires a lot of maintenance and probably doesn’t last longer than an aluminum window. Besides, we don’t like the look of wood on the interior, so that wouldn’t really 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:
- Both exterior and interior finished with foil wrap (not anthracite but rather a light gray tone, so the interior doesn’t feel too oppressive or dark)
or
- Simply a full aluminum window—this way, nothing can warp (I’m a bit skeptical about UV protection with foil on the exterior)… You could have a nice light gray on both sides and essentially get 60 years of peace of mind without needing to think about replacing the windows after 30–40 years.
My question also touches on something she partly agrees with:
A roof and the windows—they should somehow last a lifetime…
What do you think of our assumption?
Please disregard costs entirely! I’m only looking for an assessment or opinions based purely on my requirements.
Plastic windows don’t last a lifetime, right? We are in our late 20s, so the windows should last about 60 years. A complete aluminum window can do that, correct? The plastic windows are basically worn out after 40 years, right?
The aluminum cladding on the outside may serve its purpose regarding weather resistance, but the core is still made of plastic. Wood-aluminum windows are basically out of the question for us, since wood requires a lot of maintenance and probably doesn’t last longer than an aluminum window. Besides, we don’t like the look of wood on the interior, so that wouldn’t really 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:
- Both exterior and interior finished with foil wrap (not anthracite but rather a light gray tone, so the interior doesn’t feel too oppressive or dark)
or
- Simply a full aluminum window—this way, nothing can warp (I’m a bit skeptical about UV protection with foil on the exterior)… You could have a nice light gray on both sides and essentially get 60 years of peace of mind without needing to think about replacing the windows after 30–40 years.
My question also touches on something she partly agrees with:
A roof and the windows—they should somehow last a lifetime…
What do you think of our assumption?
Please disregard costs entirely! I’m only looking for an assessment or opinions based purely on my requirements.
We chose a compromise: PVC windows removed by the general contractor, and an aluminum front door. The identical door through the general contractor cost 150% more. Don’t fall into the general contractor’s surcharge trap. PVC costs 100%, aluminum 180% (You want something better and don’t compare).