Vinyl VS Aluminum
Aluminum
Color sprayed on - will scratch, flake & peel. Color can fade/streak - can require scrubbing and/or painting or touch-up
Requires no painting/finishing inside or out - initially
Readily conducts heat and cold
Supports condensation, frosting in cold weather
Waterproof - unaffected by water, except salt water
Corrodes in moist, salt-laden air, from pollution and airborne chemicals
Impervious to insects
Subject to abrasion, corrosion that reduces ease of operation - can cause binding and sticking
Structurally rigid and stable
Subject to impact damage, denting & scratching
Transmit noise
Will not support combustion
Material cost fluctuates dramatically - supply is good
Material is energy intensive to produce, (8-10%) recyclable
Scrap in production is recyclable
Requires finishing which can contribute to “greenhouse” effect, depletes ozone
Vinyl (PVC) Material Characteristics
Maintenance-Free
Requires no painting/finishing inside or out — ever
High resistance to heat loss or gain
Resists condensation
Waterproof — unaffected by water
Resistant to moist, salt-laden air, pollution, airborne chemicals
Impervious to insects
Smooth surface properties that help prevent moving parts from “sticking”
Structurally rigid and stable. Many designs with excellent wind load ratings
Strong, durable frames, withstands mechanical stress and strains
Multi-chambered design insulates against noise
Will not support combustion. Will burn only while enveloped in flame
Material is competitive in cost with other window materials. PVC supply is abundant, price is stable
Material is energy efficient to produce, recyclable
Limited scrap in production - recyclable
Material requires no finishing
Wood
Paint can fade, streak, flake, peel - must be repainted periodically
Must be painted/stained — initially and repainted
High resistance to heat loss or gain
Resists condensation
Water resistant but vulnerable to water damage
Swells, rots, deteriorates in moist, salt-laden air, from pollution and airborne chemicals
Resistant to insects, subject to insect damage
Subject to swelling from moisture, paint build-up that can cause binding and sticking
Structurally rigid and stable. Subject to shrinking, swelling, bowing, warping and cracking
Subject to impact damage - denting splintering
Insulates against noise
Will support combustion - burns readily
Prices rising dramatically - supply fluctuates
Material is energy intensive to produce tremendous waste. Scrap not readily recyclable. Cutting of trees depletes forests, etc.
Requires finishing and preservative treating which can contribute to “greenhouse” effect, depletes ozone