Replacement windows - inserts - full replacement - Aluminium

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Replacement windows - inserts - full replacement - Aluminium - PVC ??????

1 | 2

zyo

513 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1402126 8-Oct-2015 08:34

rphenix:
zyo:
Haven't heard about PVC windows in New Zealand (when I was in Shanghai it's quite popular) and wouldn't be so sure whether that's a good idea given the harsh condition of NZ (especially UV)

Thats an old wives tale. Quality UPVC has a metal frame with upvc wrapped around it, they use all sorts of additives in the UPVC including a titanium alloy the frames will not crumble due to our sun conditions etc.. I think a lot of the problem was some people early on were bringing in cheap crappy PVC frames and getting what they paid for.

I would suggest at least visiting homerit, warmwindows and looking at the upvc hardware the first thing you will notice is how much better the locking hardware is everything is hidden inside the frame itself it feels a quality product and it actually makes you notice faults in many of the traditional aluminum window frames most people usually purchase.

Color fading is also a serious concern because you can not paint PVCs easily, and NZ houses move quite a bit does PVC hold well under continuously movement? I think these are all legitimate concerns that can only be verified long term.

My current windows are all black aluminium, unless PVC is significantly cheaper I don't see any advantage of changing to that?

lissie

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1402489 8-Oct-2015 15:27

Thanks in part to recommendations here we've just installed Thermalframe's uPVC windows in our 1980s house. We are Coastal D - or as I call it "the splash zone" - and exposed to the odd NWerly - which Wellington has sometimes.

Thermalframe basically comes in 2 colours warm white and fake wood. A 1960s wooden joinery house down the road has it - and I went thru the house on an open to view - you couldn't tell it wasn't wood except it was too smooth to the touch. Visually it's identical to wood -ie wider profile than Al. The ONLY issue with pvc is that it only comes in white.

We're replacing bronze al so the replacement windows are obvious- but I don't really care - because they' ve transformed the rooms we've done so far. No drafts - note even in 110km'hr we had last night. Much less sound. And visitors think the windows are larger - they aren't the while the profile just makes them feel so.

We did casement in the front- they have a restrictor which means you can have them open a little way but secure They use marine grade for fixings which obviously matters in our location. The awnings are normal awnings - not sure what someone was saying about them not having any range of these? The slightly odd thing is that the sliding door has the track on the outside- apparently that's normal in Europe.

The crazy thing is that the product appears to be significantly more robust than aluminum and cheaper - to give you an idea a 2m x 2.2m sliding door was about $3k a 1.8mx1m window with a cassement on one side was about $1200 plus gst plus install

I help authors publish their books - DIYPublishing.co.nz

chunkybeats

50 posts

Geek

#1405687 14-Oct-2015 14:05

Since I am originally from the the UK and been living here for about 8 years I can say the uPVC is alright. It does break down quicker than aluminium or timber. The reason is the joints in the uPVC tend to split due to extreme heat & cold.

It wouldnt be better over here in the UK if not worse and for a fact its not an old wives tale the UV strength here is much stronger. Also that imitating wood design is nasty and will fade leaving it look like what uPVC is.

Personally since your house is a period house I would go for timber, if it was more modern I would recommend aluminium.

I just got my 70s house upgraded to DG and the sound insulation qualities and heat retaining are amazing. I live in Welly too in the hills and get a decent southerly hitting me but my windows are strong as!

chunkybeats

50 posts

Geek

#1405691 14-Oct-2015 14:19

If you need an idea how much it is going to cost try builders crack calculator for a rough costing.

https://builderscrack.co.nz/estimates

or for an alternative hybrid timber / aluminium solution but a little bit pricier.....

http://www.smartwood.co.nz

langers1972

1039 posts

Uber Geek

#1405693 14-Oct-2015 14:25

chunkybeats: If you need an idea how much it is going to cost try builders crack calculator for a rough costing.

https://builderscrack.co.nz/estimates

or for an alternative hybrid timber / aluminium solution but a little bit pricier.....

http://www.smartwood.co.nz

The Smartwood frames are not really a 'hybrid' but just a standard alu frame with a thin piece of timber attached internally as an aesthetic. If you want a real hybrid type then look at Eurovision or Heirloom, pricey but the real deal

SATTV

1648 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#1405694 14-Oct-2015 14:26

Thanks for that info.
I am not at all keen on wood, I do not want to be painting it every 5 - 10 years, at the front of the house it is 2 stories and to do the job properly I need scaffolding.
I have much better things to do than painting.

I will however have a look at the hybrid solution you mention.

I have been on the builders crack website to see if anyone was interested in the job, the one person who got back to me had less than favourable feedback so we went no further.

I do like to the of uPVC from the street but I also like the look of Ali from the street.

I saw a house that had had uPVC installed some time ago, the joinery was all green with gunge, and really did not look good, I guess getting out a hose and brush or water blaster once a year is no big deal. Maybe wet and forget.

I live on top of a hill and it gets very windy here, the comments on good wind proofing is encouraging.

I know enough to be dangerous

MikeAqua

7785 posts

Uber Geek

#1405714 14-Oct-2015 14:54

Sometimes?

lissie: the odd NWerly - which Wellington has sometimes.

Mike

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

sir1963

3264 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1405842 14-Oct-2015 18:15

timmmay: Just a thought on multi-point locking - don't forget windows are made of glass, and even double glazed windows can be broken in about 10 seconds with a hammer. So it may stop opportunistic theft, but not anyone who really wants to get in. Heck a chainsaw and 30 seconds and you're through any wall.

As my dad used to say "Locks are there to keep honest people out"

And to be honest its not that hard to pop the glass out of an Aluminium window without breaking it.

geoffwnz

1594 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#1407053 15-Oct-2015 08:21

MikeAqua: Sometimes?

lissie: the odd NWerly - which Wellington has sometimes.

Yep, other times it's southerly. :-)

MotorDrive Rallying

BTR

1527 posts

Uber Geek

#1407217 15-Oct-2015 12:35

Replaced my lounge windows this year with aluminium DG and what a difference they made with noise reduction and thermal retention. Chose a colour to match the house and they look good.

We got the double sided levers so they can be left slightly open to allow fresh air in on warm nights and if we aren;t at home.

PVC sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

lissie

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1407250 15-Oct-2015 13:18

BTR: Replaced my lounge windows this year with aluminium DG and what a difference they made with noise reduction and thermal retention. Chose a colour to match the house and they look good.

We got the double sided levers so they can be left slightly open to allow fresh air in on warm nights and if we aren;t at home.

PVC sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

Just a heads up on powder-coated Aluminium - when I pushed a supplier he wasn't prepared to warrant if installed in Coastal D zone (ie next to the sea) - and the only thing they would warrant was anodised. Al - those pretty paint colours come and a significant hit on durability.

The uPVC people had no such issues and offer a 10 year waranty

I help authors publish their books - DIYPublishing.co.nz

Wade

2225 posts

Uber Geek

#1407329 15-Oct-2015 16:10

Dulux Duralloy range suggests its suitable for anything greater than 100mtrs from coast line, my parents had no issues with getting guarantees form manufacturer and they would literally be only a 100mtrs from water line

lissie

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1407334 15-Oct-2015 16:19

Wade: Dulux Duralloy range suggests its suitable for anything greater than 100mtrs from coast line, my parents had no issues with getting guarantees form manufacturer and they would literally be only a 100mtrs from water line

Define water line. We are not 100m from it - and even if we were - then the spray flys further than that in good Wgtn wind

I help authors publish their books - DIYPublishing.co.nz

chunkybeats

50 posts

Geek

#1407389 15-Oct-2015 18:15

Dulux duralloy is not the correct powder coating you should be using but Duratec offers 20 years warranty for 10m from sea and allows for sea spray. I just completed a project using Duratec and its a great finish and looks very nice as well! As for anodised, yuck that would be so ugly!

Wade

2225 posts

Uber Geek

#1407472 15-Oct-2015 20:48

chunkybeats: Dulux duralloy is not the correct powder coating you should be using but Duratec offers 20 years warranty for 10m from sea and allows for sea spray. I just completed a project using Duratec and its a great finish and looks very nice as well! As for anodised, yuck that would be so ugly!

Actually that is what my parents have, Duratec Metropolis White Pearl.. teach me for not checking, knew it was Dulux Durasomething :P

1 | 2