The modern homeowner has a wealth of options to choose from when it comes to outfitting the various installations of their home. Whether it be for a front door, a new set of windows or perhaps even a stylish new set of bifolding doors for the back garden, the materials in question all have their own benefits and drawbacks. The choice is often overwhelming, particularly when you’re unsure exactly what the different materials’ benefits and drawbacks are. We want to make sure that our customers are well informed and understand what it is they’re spending their money on, so today, here at UK Superfold, we wanted to break down the two modern front runners for you so you can be informed of what’s going to be best for the installations in your home or your customer’s home. The two front runners that we have gone for are uPVC and aluminium. uPVC is among the top three synthetic building materials across the globe, whereas aluminium has been in use for decades as a stronger and more durable alternative to timber. But what are the pros and cons of each? Which is going to be best for your home?

uPVC

uPVC, as mentioned before, is one of the top three synthetic materials in use in the world today. Since its introduction to the industry in the 20th century, it has gradually become one of the most used materials across the various installations one has in their home. Since the 1980s, uPVC has been the standard material used in new construction builds for flats around the country and is often paired with double glazing as the defining feature of a modern home. uPVC is a great material for use for several reasons. It is incredibly weather-resistant; something, at the time, it had over timber and aluminium, and it also is incredibly cheap to produce. Coupled with the ease with which it can be manipulated and shaped, it is no shock that it is often considered the standard choice for new construction. However, whilst it is an exceptionally affordable option and has great weather resistance for its price, its longevity is a concern when compared to aluminium. uPVC installations are only expected to last for around 20-30 years, which may not sound like a short time, but compared to aluminium’s expected lifespan of 45+ years, the difference is noticeable. So, as an affordable alternative to aluminium, uPVC is certainly a good option.

Aluminium

However, aluminium is the far superior material of the two for several reasons. As mentioned, an aluminium installation, particularly a structurally sound one, can be expected to last 45 years and beyond if maintained well. So whilst aluminium has a higher price point initially, you’ll be saving money in the long run with a much longer-lasting investment. Furthermore, aluminium provides a much stronger and more durable material for your various installations. An aluminium door, for instance, is infinitely more secure than a uPVC one because of its natural metal status. With aluminium, your home has higher levels of security than with any of the other materials on the market. It used to be that this security performance was offset with poor thermal performance. However, with modern innovations in thermal breaking technology, your aluminium installation now performs to the same level as uPVC in terms of thermal performance, so you will not need to spend more on your energy bills throughout the year. In fact, if your current installations are starting to show their age, new aluminium installations will likely greatly improve your home’s thermal performance. In addition, aluminium is an incredibly on-trend material to use in modern home design. Aluminium installations turn heads with their unique designs and appearance when compared to the standard white uPVC features. Finally, aluminium is exceptionally sustainable as a building material. Around 75% of all aluminium that has ever been used is still used today. This is because of its ease of melting it down and reshaping it once it reaches its natural conclusion in its current installation. For those with a green head-on, you can be assured you’re making the right choice with aluminium.

Aluminium is the superior of the two materials. uPVC is an excellent and affordable choice; however, whilst it does provide that lower initial price point, aluminium outperforms it in almost every way. In terms of security, aluminium is the absolute best choice on the market. In terms of thermal efficiency, aluminium is at least as good as every other option out there. 

Aluminium Products from UK Superfold

Here at UK Superfold, we provide premium aluminium products across the nation. We are highly experienced in supplying and installing bifold doors, slide and swing doors, windows, and roof lanterns. Whatever it is you’re looking for, we have it available. Please use our free online quoting engine to get a quick price today! Alternatively, feel free to contact us, and one of our wonderful team members will get back to you.

We look forward to hearing from you!