ᐅ uPVC Windows vs. Windows with Aluminum Cladding

exto1791 schrieb:

The plastic windows are basically done after 40 years, right?

Then you’re 70 years old and no longer worry about the windows in the house you may have sold 20 years earlier.

exto1791 schrieb:

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

What do you think about our theory?

Both are functional items. Buying cheap means buying twice. But planning for 60+ years with a significant extra cost seems unreasonable to me. If the budget allows, then sure.

nordanney schrieb:

Then you’re 70 and no longer worried about the windows in the house you may have sold 20 years earlier.

Both are functional items. Buying cheap means buying twice. But planning for 60+ years with a large additional cost seems unreasonable to me. If the budget allows, then by all means.

Well, if I buy double-coated PVC windows twice, I will definitely spend more than if I buy aluminum windows once... The extra cost for aluminum windows is not that high.

I also have the advantage that aluminum windows look significantly better after 20-30 years compared to coated PVC windows.

If this is our home for life, I will certainly still think about new windows at 60-70 years old, especially if I end up living there another 10-20 years. People live much longer these days. I already see it with my dad... He’s 70 now, in great shape, full of energy, and still busy improving or changing things around the house.

exto1791 schrieb:

Well, if I buy double-glazed vinyl windows twice, I'll definitely end up paying more than for a single aluminum window... The price difference compared to aluminum windows isn't that huge.

Nida35a schrieb:

PVC 100% and aluminum 180%

Well, I’m not just thinking about double glazing; I prefer to spend my money on what I consider more sensible nicer things. Or I mix tilt-and-turn/sliding tilt-and-turn windows and an aluminum front door, with the rest made of "plastic" (like most homeowners).

nordanney schrieb:

Well, I’m not just thinking twice about this, I’m now choosing to spend my money on what I consider more useful and nicer things. Or I mix tilt-and-slide / lift-and-slide doors plus an aluminum front door, and the rest made of "plastic" (like most homeowners).

Yes, I do see a big problem with the tilt-and-slide doors as well.

The front door was never even a question for us; we would never in our lives choose a door made of plastic.

With tilt-and-slide doors, one could definitely consider upgrading.

But how would that look visually? Aluminum tilt-and-slide doors and the rest of the windows made of plastic?

The comment about "plastic" (like most homeowners) really says it all! Why would I go with what everyone else does?

The current situation with most homebuilders is really about money, which main contractors know very well. They understand that aluminum windows in the standard range are too expensive for the majority and cannot be sold to them. Today’s homeowners value a nice stove, an open gallery, large glass panels, or other features much more, but tend to compromise on quality (for whatever reason...). Consumerism takes priority, and so they cut costs in these areas, as long as the house is cheap.

We are generally not like that. However, main contractors also tend to suggest that plastic windows are completely adequate and of good quality, so builders avoid dealing with this issue (as long as it’s not an extra cost). That makes it very difficult for us to decide. I would like honest opinions and to know whether in 30-40 years I will face additional costs replacing windows because plastic windows won’t last that long, or if I can safely choose them and save the extra cost of aluminum windows.

As you correctly said, you prefer to spend money on "nicer things"; we also tend to spend it on what we see as "more useful things."

We actually have this unusual, nowadays somewhat outdated and unrealistic idea of living in this house for life. Maybe that’s why our way of thinking is quite different from yours, for example.

exto1791 schrieb:

But how does that look visually?

I don’t think it’s a big deal if this small area (the frame) has a slightly different sheen than the rest.

exto1791 schrieb:

Today’s homeowners focus much more on having a nice stove, an open gallery, large glass elements, or other features, but make compromises when it comes to quality (for whatever reason…).

I don’t see plastic windows as a compromise in quality. VW or Porsche—both have high quality. So I’d rather choose the Passat and still have the motorhome than go for the Cayenne (to stay with that example).

exto1791 schrieb:

I’d like honest opinions and to know whether I can expect extra costs in the form of new windows in 30 to 40 years.

No one can tell you that. But why would new windows be on the agenda? Just because the frame might not look as good compared to aluminum windows? I know plenty of windows from the 1980s (including in my own rental properties) that still work perfectly today. Replacement is usually only for energy efficiency reasons—and I’d do that with aluminum or wood windows of the same age too. Standard windows = plastic / special cases like very large elements/sliding and tilt-and-slide windows in aluminum.

exto1791 schrieb:

You prefer to spend money on "prettier things," while we actually prefer to invest in "more sensible things."

I see that differently, of course. Both approaches work well over a long time. Yours is just clearly more expensive. I would therefore rather classify them as economical and uneconomical. Both are sensible.

Experience report,
after finalizing our selections, we decided on PVC windows and patio doors, but not a PVC front door.
We searched online, found a German manufacturer, mid-range security class RZ3, desired design, €2,800 + installation.
The general contractor (GC) offered to do it for us, total €5,800, PVC door included; due to high quality, they gave a credit of €1,900. On inquiry, he lowered the price to €5,300.
The result: door removed from the GC’s scope, credit of €1,900, and door installed by an external company for €3,300.
One more thing about windows and doors:
apply WD40 once a year and the mechanism lasts forever.