Are Aluminium Windows Energy Efficient?
Are aluminium windows energy efficient? With utility bills on the rise, this is the question many up and down the country are asking. Replacing old, draughty windows can reduce the average energy bill by hundreds each year so with the chillier months just around the corner, it’s no wonder many homeowners across the UK are looking to update their old windows. If your windows are past their use by date and aren’t performing as well as they should, it’s likely you’re considering replacing them with something a little more modern.
Aluminium hasn’t always been the most energy efficient material on the market and as a result, has earnt itself a somewhat unfair reputation for poor insulation. A popular material in industrial buildings, aluminium has become increasingly more common in residential homes. This is because there have been great technological strides in the manufacturing industry in recent years, meaning aluminium windows are now more energy efficient than ever – rivalling even uPVC windows in thermal retention ratings.
So are aluminium windows energy efficient? The answer is a resounding yes.
A brief history of aluminium windows
For decades, aluminium windows were revered for use in industrial and commercial buildings. However, they also suffered from a poor reputation when it came to energy efficiency and were quickly surpassed in popularity by uPVC in the 1980s. This was largely due to the durability and resilience of uPVC, which at the time offered far better thermal retention ratings and a longer lifespan.
There have been several technological strides in the manufacturing sector in recent years, meaning aluminium windows can be engineered with slim frames and expansive panes of double glazed glass. This is in contrast to older style aluminium windows which often had to be manufactured with thick, unsightly frames. Thanks to the inclusion of thermal break barriers places between the inner and outer frame, aluminium windows are also more durable than ever and boast a lifespan of 30 – 40 years with a hefty energy efficiency rating that rivals even uPVC.
Are aluminium windows energy efficient?
Gone are the days when aluminium windows suffered from poor insulation. Today’s modern aluminium windows boast an exceptional energy efficiency rating, as well as durability and resilience in the face of any adverse weather.
Modern aluminium windows are engineered with innovative double glazing and thermal break technology, which when combined, prevents heat loss as well as the build-up of condensation. At Majestic Designs, our aluminium windows are manufactured with Low-E glass as a standard – we also fill our range of double glazing units with energy efficient argon gas, which further assists in preventing heat loss.
The WER scale
Here in the UK, all windows are rated using the Window Energy Rating scale. Also known as WER, the Window Energy Rating scale works in the same way the energy efficiency of appliances do. A is the best possible rating, with G the very worst. Windows are legally required to have a minimum rating of at least C.
Checking the WER of new windows is a great way to start if you’re looking at replacing your old windows. At Majestic Designs, many of our uPVC and aluminium products boast a rating of A+14. This means our range exceeds the top rating of the WER and are some of the best windows available on the market today.
Are aluminium windows good for the environment?
Modern aluminium windows are considered environmentally sustainable. As modern aluminium windows boast exceptional energy efficiency ratings, you can save a significant amount on utility bills, as well as use less electricity and gas. As a result, you can minimise your carbon footprint without compromising on comfort.
Aluminium windows also have a long lifespan, making them a long term investment that won’t require replacement for at least 30 years. At the end of that lifespan, aluminium is also 100 % recyclable, meaning it won’t end up in a landfill.
Aluminium windows are Majestic Designs
From traditional period homes to modern new builds, aluminium windows can enhance your home’s insulative qualities and boost your energy efficiency, as well as save you significant amounts on your utility bills in the process.
Although aluminium still retains an unfavourable reputation when it comes to energy efficiency, the days of aluminium windows suffering from heat loss and poor insulation are long gone. Aluminium windows are now more energy efficient than ever, rivalling even uPVC windows in thermal retention ratings thanks to significant technological advancements in the manufacturing sector in recent years. So are aluminium windows energy efficient? The answer is a resounding yes – and they’re great for the environment too!
The team at Majestic Designs have been engineering our range of resilient aluminium windows for more than 21 years. Our range of aluminium products are manufactured in our state-of-the-art factories right here in Cheddar, and fitted by our professional, experienced team of fully employed FENSA-accredited and MTC-registered lead installers.
At Majestic Designs, we use the latest technology to engineer our range of aluminium windows from only the highest quality materials. Available in a range of shapes, styles and colours, your aluminium windows will be made to order to your exact specifications and entirely unique to your home. From modern homes to barn conversions, our range of modern aluminium windows are durable in adverse weather, resilient and highly secure. Perhaps most important, they can save you the hassle of costly utility bills this winter without compromising on warmth or comfort.
If you would like any more information about our aluminium windows or would like to book an at-home consultation, get in touch with Majestic Designs today.
