Windows are integral to pretty much any kind of structure or construct, which makes the materials they are made of critical for their purpose. For windows that will be subjected to a lot of stress such as extreme temperatures, strong winds, or even pressure variations, only two materials really matter: steel and aluminium.
Choosing between those two options can be tricky if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Fortunately, there are several reliable ways to determine if your particular project requires aluminium windows or those made of steel.
These will be discussed in more detail soon, but it’s worth noting that the most important point to consider is your own needs. What exactly do you want these windows to do and where will they be placed? You will also need reliable aluminium fabrication services in Perth if you go for aluminium windows.
Aluminium Windows
Aluminium has an endless number of beneficial properties that makes it one of the most popular materials for pretty much anything. As far as windows go, they can be found in any building in every part of the world.
They mostly make up the frames themselves, which hold the glass. However, there are also considerations given for aesthetics where colour, thickness, shape, and designs are given attention.
Regardless of whether your priorities lean more towards the practical side or the aesthetic, aluminium can accommodate your needs.
Steel Windows
Strong and durable, steel is one of the most common materials to use when there is a need to emphasise toughness. Steel windows are rarer than aluminium ones but they aren’t exactly uncommon, either.
These types of windows are commonly found in construction projects where there is a high chance of damage being inflicted. Whether it’s with water pressure, vacuum, extreme temperatures, or even regular wear and tear.
Steel windows can be aesthetically pleasing, as well, but this is not the biggest point to its favour.
What to Look For
To help you make the right choice, it makes sense to know all the factors that matter with regard to window materials. You can refer to the following points so that you’ll know what to look for.
Strength
Windows need to have a certain level of strength in order to be reliable. This is especially true for windows that will be placed high up or will be exposed to extreme conditions. In this instance, steel would definitely have an advantage. However, not as much as many might assume.
Aluminium can be just as strong as steel, given the right conditions. Their design will also play a role in determining how tough they will be. Whatever the case, however, you need to consider how strong the window needs to be before it’s not worth the costs anymore.
Versatility
Windows are not the most complicated examples of constructs in the world. However, there are still a few things to consider when choosing the right frames for them. How well can they accommodate the thickness, weight, shape, and design of the glass that they will hold?
Aluminium is definitely easier to shape and mould compared to steel. That isn’t to say that steel can’t be versatile, but it’s definitely less so compared to aluminium.
Corrosion Resistance
There is always the risk of corrosion when dealing with any kind of material, especially if they are some type of metal. However, some materials are more resistant to corrosion than others with aluminium being a prime example. Steel, on the other, is a lot more prone to rust.
This is not to say that steel windows don’t have resistance to corrosion, at all. With the right treatment, rust can be slower to develop.
Cost
Steel is more expensive than aluminium. There’s just no getting around that. They are costlier to produce, procure, and then fabricate. Aluminium is simply more affordable, more versatile, and is even easier to recycle.
Those points can help cut down on the costs by quite a lot. With that said, the expense associated with steel does come with certain advantages. It’s simply up to you to decide if those advantages outweigh the cost.
Eco-Friendliness
Environmental concerns are rising these days, which makes choosing materials to use for production something of a problem. Fortunately, aluminium is one of the most eco-friendly types of metal in the market. It can be recycled with less time and effort compared to steel, for example.
This then makes aluminium far more likely to see an increase in use over the next few years. For businesses selling aluminium windows, this means profits. For customers looking into aluminium fabrication in Perth, this means uniformity and ease of access.
Thermal Efficiency
Last but not least, we have the ability of aluminium to adapt to extreme changes in temperature. This is a major concern because freezing winters or scorching summers can pose huge threats to structural integrity.
To that end, aluminium is a good choice for locations where things can get quite cold or quite hot. Expanding or contracting windows are not exactly conducive to keeping buildings or vehicles in good shape.
Ready to Choose?
Now that you have all of those details to keep in mind, which one will you choose? Do you want aluminium windows or those made of steel? Making the right choice is all about understanding what you need and which one suits those needs best.
In more than a few cases, aluminium fabrication in Perth holds the advantage. There might be some ways in which steel windows would be more desirable, but they can be quite niche. For everything else, aluminium is the way to go.
