ALU vs PVC joinery – key differences, advantages and how to choose the best option

Choosing quality joinery is one of the most important decisions when building or renovating a property. Whether you're furnishing an apartment, house or commercial space, the right choice between PVC and ALU joinery significantly affects the energy efficiency, durability and aesthetics of your space.

In this guide, we bring you an overview of the most important differences between ALU and PVC joinery, so you can more easily choose the solution that best suits your needs. So let's take it step by step.

PVC joinery is made from polyvinyl chloride, a material known for good thermal insulation and an affordable price. Thanks to modern technologies, today's PVC profiles have multi-chamber structures that further improve energy efficiency. For example, certain Salamander profiles that we use for manufacturing PVC joinery have up to 6 air chambers, which create "barriers" that slow down heat transfer. In winter they retain heat inside the space, while in summer they prevent external heat from entering. The result is less energy loss and lower heating and cooling costs.

ALU joinery is made from aluminium — a lightweight but extremely strong material. Although our PVC profiles also contain steel reinforcements, ALU joinery, thanks to its exceptional strength, enables the creation of large glass surfaces and modern architectural solutions that are not possible with PVC joinery. Due to their durability and strength, aluminium profiles can be thinner than PVC profiles and withstand the test of time more easily. For all these reasons, besides large glass surfaces, it is most often chosen for modern houses and commercial spaces, and its somewhat higher initial price compared to PVC is justified by its longevity.

So which joinery to choose in the end? There is no universally best solution, as the choice between ALU and PVC joinery depends on your needs, budget and type of property. PVC offers an excellent price-to-quality ratio, while ALU provides superior aesthetics and durability.

If even after reading this article you haven't made a decision about choosing custom joinery, our sales team will be happy to help you choose the right window, door or wall system for all seasons. Visit one of our showrooms and find out everything you want to know before making your final decision.

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