uPVC vs Aluminium Windows: Which Is Right for Your Home?

damiangoude

Oct 16

3 min read

uPVC or aluminium is the first big decision for most window and door projects. Both are excellent today: warm, secure and low maintenance. The difference is in looks, lifespan, colour choice and budget. As installers of both REHAU uPVC and Origin aluminium, here is our honest comparison so you can choose with confidence.

uPVC vs aluminium at a glance

Upfront cost: uPVC is usually the more affordable option.
Frame profile: aluminium is stronger, so frames can be slimmer with more glass. uPVC frames are chunkier.
Energy efficiency: both can be A energy rated, with U-values down to 0.8 W/m²K on the best systems.
Security: both are available to PAS 24 enhanced security standard.
Colours: aluminium comes in 150+ RAL colours and dual-colour finishes. REHAU uPVC offers 24 colours and woodgrains.
Lifespan: aluminium typically lasts longer. uPVC typically lasts 25 to 35 years.
Large openings: aluminium is the natural choice for very large glazed areas and bifolds.

Cost

uPVC is normally the lower-cost material, which is why it is so popular for whole-house replacements. Aluminium costs more to buy, but its slimmer frames, longer life and durable powder-coated finish give it strong long-term value. We quote both after a free survey so you can compare like for like.

Looks and sightlines

Aluminium's strength means narrow frames and more glass, which suits modern homes, extensions and the industrial steel look. uPVC frames are deeper and wider, but modern systems look far better than older uPVC. REHAU flush sash windows sit level like timber, and REHAU sliding sash windows recreate the Victorian box sash.

Energy efficiency

Frame material matters less than it used to. REHAU's TOTAL70 casement is rated at 0.8 W/m²K with triple glazing, and Origin's OW-80 aluminium window reaches 0.8 W/m²K with Aerogel. Both are well inside the 1.4 W/m²K that Building Regulations allow for replacement windows. Good glass and careful installation make the biggest difference.

Security

Both materials can be made very secure. REHAU holds BSI PAS 24 enhanced security certification for its windows and doors, and Origin aluminium windows are PAS 24 tested and Secured by Design accredited. Multi-point locking, internal beading and laminated glass options are available with either.

Colours and finishes

Aluminium is powder coated in any of 150+ RAL colours, with textured and dual-colour options (a different colour inside and out). REHAU uPVC comes in 24 named colours, from Anthracite Grey and Chartwell Green to realistic woodgrains such as Irish Oak and Rosewood.

Maintenance and lifespan

Both need little more than a wipe down and an occasional check of seals and drainage. Powder-coated aluminium will not warp, soften or discolour, so it generally outlasts uPVC. A well-installed uPVC window typically lasts 25 to 35 years.

Doors and large openings

For big openings, aluminium's strength wins: slim bifolds and sliding doors with very large panes. uPVC still covers most needs well. REHAU SLINOVA sliding doors go up to 4m wide, and REHAU front doors and French doors suit most homes.

Which should you choose?

Choose uPVC if budget is the priority, you are replacing every window in the house, or you want a traditional or woodgrain look.
Choose aluminium if you want the slimmest frames, a bold RAL colour, very large glazing or the longest lifespan.
Mix both if you want uPVC windows with aluminium bifolds or sliding doors to the garden.

Frequently asked questions

Is uPVC or aluminium cheaper?

uPVC usually costs less to buy and install. Aluminium costs more upfront but tends to last longer and keeps its finish, so the gap narrows over the life of the window.

Which is more energy efficient, uPVC or aluminium?

Both can be A energy rated. REHAU TOTAL70 uPVC reaches 0.8 W/m²K with triple glazing, and Origin OW-80 aluminium reaches 0.8 W/m²K with Aerogel. The glass and installation matter as much as the frame.

Are aluminium windows more secure than uPVC?

Not automatically. What matters is the testing. REHAU holds BSI PAS 24 enhanced security certification for its windows and doors, and Origin aluminium windows are PAS 24 tested and Secured by Design accredited.

Which lasts longer?

Aluminium generally outlasts uPVC, because powder-coated aluminium does not soften, warp or discolour. A well-installed uPVC window typically lasts 25 to 35 years.

Can I have uPVC that looks like timber?

Yes. REHAU woodgrain foils, flush sash windows and Heritage vertical sliders are designed to look like traditional timber joinery.

Can I mix uPVC and aluminium in one house?

Yes. Many homeowners choose uPVC windows with aluminium bifold or sliding doors at the back. We can match colours closely across both.