ᐅ Wood-Aluminum Windows – Manufacturer Selection Guide

Hello everyone,

For our apartment renovation, wooden-aluminum windows made from pine are planned for the living area.

So far, I have received offers for windows from Isarholz (Slovenia) and Weinstock (Germany).

The prices and specifications are quite similar, including fittings, aluminum cladding, fixing connections, and glazing. The only difference is that Weinstock offers a four-coat paint finish, while Isarholz has a three-coat finish.

I am not sure which company uses higher quality wood. I tend to lean towards Isarholz because I found the local specialist dealer more likable and the communication smoother.

We will handle the installation ourselves, so it’s only about the materials.

Does anyone here happen to have experience or anything that could help decide between Isarholz and Weinstock?

Best regards

Martin

miji252 schrieb:

something that helps with the decision

Only the price. Otherwise, it doesn’t matter (at best, your aesthetic preferences).

miji252 schrieb:

In our apartment renovation, timber-aluminum windows made from pine are planned for the living area. So far, I have been offered windows from Isarholz (Slovenia) and Weinstock (Germany). [...]
I don’t know which one uses higher-quality wood. I tend to prefer Isarholz because the local specialist dealer seemed more likable to me and the communication was better. [...]
Does anyone here happen to have experience or anything that might help decide between Isarholz and Weinstock?

I am not familiar with Isarholz or Weinstock. As a window manufacturer (aluminum) and later window dealer (all materials), I was convinced by Pax AG. Most manufacturers avoid using the highest-quality woods because they are harder and wear down tools faster. I would have concerns about Slovenia regarding potentially forged sustainability certificates. You can find numerous posts by me here using the search terms "timber-aluminum" and "wood/aluminum," where I explain my recommendations in detail.
Personally, if you want "aluminum on the outside and pine look on the inside," I would always choose pure aluminum on the inside with a foil finish. I know some very unusual people—but none who constantly touch their windows. If wood/aluminum is not priced higher than pure aluminum, something is probably wrong.

miji252 schrieb:

We will install the windows ourselves, so it’s only about the material.

The myth “anyone can do it with four screws” is unfortunately very widespread, although even the first application cures most problems. This especially applies when installing in existing buildings. If both options are otherwise equally good, go with the one that has the more qualified installer.

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https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/

11ant schrieb:

I am not familiar with Isarholz or Weinstock. As a window manufacturer (aluminum) and later a window dealer (all materials), I was convinced by PAX AG. Most manufacturers avoid using the highest quality woods because they are harder and wear down the tools faster. I would be cautious about Slovenia due to concerns over fake sustainability certificates. You can find many posts from me here using the search terms "wood-aluminum" and "wood/aluminum," where I explain my recommendations in detail.
Personally, if I wanted "aluminum on the outside and pine look on the inside," I would always choose completely aluminum inside with foil finish. I know some unusual people, but none who constantly touch their windows. If wood/aluminum isn’t priced higher than pure aluminum, something is wrong.

The myth "anyone can do four screws" is unfortunately widespread, although even one proper application convinces everyone. This is especially true for installation in existing buildings. If both options are otherwise equally good, go with the one installed by the more qualified fitter.

Thanks for your feedback to both of you.
I have already practiced installation with a PVC window in the nursery. It is definitely not easy, but I trust myself to do it properly given enough time. I planned the connections and everything else with the window specialist dealer.

Another question for the experts: I am considering whether to choose the powder-coated aluminum shell in fine structure or smooth matte.

A friend said that while fine structure is less prone to scratches, if you wanted to repaint the aluminum shell after 20 or 30 years (e.g., due to fading or similar), smooth surfaces are easier to repaint. Is that true? Can a 20 or 30-year-old fine structure surface not be repainted as well? I understand it won’t look like new afterward; my question is simply whether it is possible at all. In the end, you install HOA-grade windows, and the aluminum shell eventually looks worn out, making you unhappy again. That’s why it is important to me whether it can basically be maintained.

miji252 schrieb:

Another question for the experts, I'm considering whether to choose the powder-coated aluminum cladding in fine texture or smooth matte finish.

Choose the aluminum coated without any roughening, and only the wood veneer textured.

miji252 schrieb:

A friend said that fine texture is less prone to scratches, but if after 20 or 30 years you wanted to repaint the aluminum cladding (for example due to fading), smooth surfaces are easier to repaint. Is that true? Can you not repaint a 20 or 30-year-old fine texture as well? I understand it wouldn’t look like new, but I just want to know if it’s possible or not. Ultimately, you install HOA windows, and after some time the aluminum cladding looks worn out enough to be frustrating again. That’s why I care about whether it can basically be maintained.

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

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https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/

11ant schrieb:

Use the untextured coated aluminum and only the wood grain foil with texture.

Our aluminum windows on the standalone commercial building still looked completely fresh all around (including the weather-exposed sides) after more than 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 valuable, thank you for sharing it!

What are your reasons for preferring the smooth powder coating? Both the window manufacturer and online sources recommend a fine structure finish, as it is supposed to be more durable and also looks more premium. Of course, it also costs a bit more compared to smooth.
Is it simply your experience that the fine structure finish is unnecessary and doesn’t offer any real benefits?