Was chatting with my neighbor yesterday—he's renovating his place—and he mentioned something interesting about aluminum window frames. Apparently, they're super durable and don't warp or rot like wood, which makes sense, I guess. But then he said something about them being not-so-great at insulation, meaning they can let heat escape more easily in winter. Never really thought about that before.
Also, he mentioned aluminum frames can corrode if you're near the ocean or somewhere humid. Didn't even cross my mind that aluminum could corrode...I mean, isn't it supposed to be rust-proof or something? Anyway, got me curious about other little-known facts or quirks about aluminum windows. Anyone else heard anything surprising or have personal experiences with these frames?
"Didn't even cross my mind that aluminum could corrode...I mean, isn't it supposed to be rust-proof or something?"
Haha, yeah, that's a common misconception. Aluminum doesn't technically "rust" like iron or steel, but it can definitely corrode—especially in salty or humid environments. I've seen some pretty gnarly aluminum frames near the coast that looked like they had a rough night out at sea. 😅
About the insulation thing your neighbor mentioned, he's spot-on. Aluminum is great for durability and low maintenance, but it's a pretty good conductor of heat and cold. That means in winter, your cozy indoor warmth can escape through the frames, and in summer, the heat outside can sneak right in. Not ideal if you're trying to keep energy bills down.
But here's a little-known perk: modern aluminum frames often come with what's called a "thermal break." Basically, it's a strip of insulating material sandwiched between the inner and outer parts of the frame. This helps reduce heat transfer significantly. If you're considering aluminum windows, definitely ask about thermal breaks—makes a huge difference.
Another quirky thing I've noticed over the years is that aluminum frames can sometimes expand and contract slightly with temperature changes. It's usually not noticeable day-to-day, but over time it can cause seals around the glass to weaken or fail. Nothing catastrophic, just something to keep an eye on if you live somewhere with extreme temperature swings.
Speaking of quirks...anyone else ever noticed how aluminum frames seem to amplify noise more than wood or vinyl? Maybe it's just me being overly sensitive after years in this business, but I swear traffic noise seems louder through aluminum-framed windows.
Curious if anyone else has experienced this—or am I just imagining things?