What Sort of Frames Will Suit Your Home's New Windows?

If the time has come to get rid of your old windows and replace them with new windows, then you will need to decide whether you want single-glazing, double-glazing or even triple-glazing. Obviously, there is a price differential with each of these choices, but you get different properties from each. In addition to the type of glazing you will opt for, another important decision to make concerns the framing material that will suit you best. What are the main options for new windows today?

Wooden Window Frames

To begin with, wood is an extremely reliable framing material for most types of window. Although you might associate wooden window frames with traditional architecture, it can look extremely good with new builds, too. Many new windows are made with wooden frames in Australia because they have a warm appearance which other options do not always afford you. One of the negative aspects to remember about wooden window frames is that they require maintenance. You will need to give them a new coat of paint or varnish every few years to prevent them from ageing prematurely.

Metal Window Frames

Metal is still used these days for windows. In the 1970s, many new windows were framed with steel. However, these days it is more likely that you will find windows being made with aluminium frames instead. Aluminium is a lightweight material, which makes it ideal for framing very big windows and patio doors. One of the problems some people encounter with aluminium window frames is that they conduct too much heat. Therefore, all new windows made with this metal should have some sort of thermal break technology added so that they offer a good degree of insulation. This is usually hidden inside the frame's profile and made from a material such as ABS.

UPVC Window Frames

Finally, most new windows that are sold in Australia today are constructed with UPVC frames. One of the chief benefits of UPVC is that you do not need to do anything to look after it. It will last at least a couple of decades with virtually nothing by way of maintenance. What's more, UPVC is a relatively cheap material so it suits most people's budgets. That said, it is a plastic framing material that is quite ductile. This is something that means it could be forced open by a determined intruder using a crowbar or a similar tool.

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