Materials
PVC vs Aluminum vs Wood Windows: How to Choose
Three materials, three personalities. A clear-eyed comparison of insulation, durability, sightlines, maintenance, and where each one shines.
2026-08-28 · 6 min read · by ALAX
Every ALAX window is custom-made to measure, so the material decision is less about what is available and more about what your project values most. Here is how we walk customers through it.
PVC (uPVC): performance per dollar
Modern European PVC profiles are nothing like the thin vinyl windows many Americans picture. They are multi-chamber extrusions with galvanized steel reinforcement, welded at the corners, with dual gaskets. They insulate very well, never need paint, and resist salt air and humidity.
Choose PVC if you are replacing windows in an existing home, building to a disciplined budget, or working in a coastal or humid climate. Trade-off: frames are wider than aluminum, and very dark colors need a foil laminate rather than through-color.
Aluminum: slim, strong, architectural
Our aluminum windows are built on German-engineered, thermally broken systems. A polyamide isolator separates the inner and outer shells, so modern aluminum frames stay warm to the touch. Aluminum's strength allows the narrowest sightlines and the largest panels—this is the material for lift-and-slide walls of glass.
Choose aluminum if your architecture is contemporary, your openings are large, you want a black or custom RAL finish, or the project is commercial. Trade-off: typically a higher investment than PVC.
Wood: warmth with modern engineering
Engineered, laminated timber stays straight where solid lumber would warp. Factory-applied multi-coat finishes last far longer than site painting, and an optional exterior aluminum cladding makes the outside maintenance-free.
Choose wood if you are renovating a historic home, your interiors celebrate timber, or you want wood inside and aluminum outside. Trade-off: uncladded wood exteriors need periodic refinishing.
Side by side
| Factor | PVC | Aluminum | Wood |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insulation | Excellent | Very good (thermally broken) | Excellent |
| Sightlines | Medium | Slimmest | Medium |
| Max panel size | Large | Largest | Large |
| Maintenance | Minimal | Minimal | Low (clad) / Periodic (uncladded) |
| Color range | Foils & standard colors | Any RAL, anodized | Stains & opaque paints |
| Investment | $ | $$$ | $$ |
Still deciding? Request a corner sample in two materials and compare them in your own light.
