Still looking good after years: aluminum windows holding up

Aluminum windows really are tanks, aren’t they? I’ve got some from the late 80s - never warped, no rot, just a little condensation on cold mornings. Sure, they’re not cozy, but layered curtains and a draft snake do most of the heavy lifting. Could be worse.

You nailed it - those old aluminum windows are basically indestructible. I’ve got a set in my basement that’s pushing 40 years, and aside from some paint scratches and the occasional stubborn latch, they look almost new. Not the warmest things, sure. My wife calls them “iceboxes with a view” every winter, but heavy curtains and a rolled-up towel at the sill have saved us from worse drafts.

Honestly, I’ve looked into replacing them a few times, but the prices for new windows? Yikes. For now, I’d rather put on another sweater and keep using what works. The one thing that bugs me is the condensation - every cold snap leaves a little puddle. Still, compared to some of my neighbors who are dealing with rotting wood frames or stuck sashes, I’ll take the tradeoff.

Funny how stuff built back then just keeps on going. Maybe not perfect, but they do their job.

I get the appeal - those old aluminum frames are definitely tough, and I’ve seen plenty outlast newer wood or vinyl. But I have to say, the condensation issue you mentioned can be more than just a nuisance. In my place, it eventually led to some mold in the drywall under the sills. Not a huge deal, but enough to make me rethink sticking with the originals. Upgrading wasn’t cheap, but the difference in comfort (and lower heating bill) was noticeable right away. Sometimes, the long-term savings do add up... even if the sticker shock is rough at first.

Upgrading wasn’t cheap, but the difference in comfort (and lower heating bill) was noticeable right away. Sometimes, the long-term savings do add up... even if the sticker shock is rough at first.

That’s exactly what I keep going back and forth on. My house still has its original aluminum sliders from the late 70s - no major issues, and they’re definitely sturdy, but every winter I get that same condensation lining the inside. I’ve patched up a bit of drywall under the sills too, nothing dramatic yet, but it’s always in the back of my mind that it could turn into a bigger headache.

I’ve read that some newer aluminum frames are better insulated, but honestly, I’m not sure how much of a difference they’d make compared to just biting the bullet and switching to vinyl or composite. Did you go with vinyl, or something else? And was there a noticeable difference in outside noise? That’s another thing I wonder about - my neighbor swapped to triple-pane vinyl and says it’s way quieter now.

The upfront cost is what’s holding me back. It’s not just the windows, it’s the labor, trimming, paint touch-ups... seems like it snowballs fast. But then again, if it means less mold risk and lower heating bills, maybe it pays off in a few years? I’m curious if you noticed a big change in your utility bills, or was it more about just feeling less drafty?

Funny thing is, my dad swears by those old aluminum frames - he says “they’ll outlast the house.” Maybe he’s right, but I’m not sure my drywall will.

I hear you on the sticker shock - my wallet still winces when I think about what we spent swapping out our old aluminum sliders for vinyl. Here’s what I noticed, step by step: first, the drafts were gone. Like, instantly. Second, the condensation disappeared (which meant less “surprise” drywall repairs). Third, the house got noticeably quieter - didn’t expect that one, but it was a nice bonus. Our heating bill dropped maybe 15-20% that first winter. Not life-changing, but it adds up over time. The only thing I miss is how indestructible those old frames felt… vinyl is solid, but my dad’s right, you could probably drive a truck through those 70s windows and they’d survive.

That’s the thing about those old aluminum frames - they were tanks. I get what you mean; nothing quite feels like that solid, cold metal when you’re opening a window. But yeah, vinyl’s got its perks. I’ve seen a lot of folks surprised at how much quieter their place gets, especially if they live near a busy road. The only catch I’ve run into is vinyl can warp a bit in direct sun over the years, but for most people, the trade-off’s worth it. Funny how something as simple as new windows can change the whole vibe of a house.

Yeah, I hear you about the vinyl warping. My buddy swapped out his old aluminum ones for vinyl a few years back, and they do keep out the noise way better, but he did mention they get kinda bendy in the summer. I’m still rocking the original aluminum frames from the 80s - noisy, but they’re basically indestructible. Just wish they didn’t get so cold in the winter, y’know?

That cold draft from aluminum frames in winter is a classic, isn't it? I get a lot of folks who are torn between the durability of their old aluminum windows and wanting something a bit more comfortable year-round. Have you ever tried any of those insulating window films or thermal curtains to help with the chill? They're not a perfect fix, but sometimes it's enough to make a difference, especially if you're not ready to swap out all your frames.

I'm curious - do you ever get condensation issues with your aluminum frames? Sometimes, especially in older homes, that metal gets so cold it can actually sweat on the inside. Not great for the paint or the sills over time. I've seen people try those foam strips or even just good old-fashioned weatherstripping to cut down on drafts - it’s not fancy, but it can help.

With the vinyl warping thing, I hear about that every summer from people in hotter climates. It seems like it's less of an issue if you go with higher-end vinyl (the kind reinforced with fiberglass), but then you're getting into prices that aren’t too far off from composite or even wood-clad options. Have you looked into those at all? Sometimes people just assume it's vinyl or aluminum, but there are some interesting hybrids now.

Honestly, there's always a trade-off. Aluminum lasts forever but gets cold and noisy. Vinyl is quieter and better insulated but can warp or fade. I’ve even seen some folks stick with their original aluminum and just upgrade the glass to double or triple pane - kind of a halfway solution that keeps the frames but adds comfort. Ever thought about just swapping out the glass instead of the whole window?

It’s funny how windows seem so straightforward, but once you start looking into replacements, it’s like opening a can of worms...

I get where you’re coming from with swapping out just the glass, but honestly, it’s not always the magic fix people hope for. I tried upgrading to double pane in my old aluminum frames - helped a bit with drafts, sure, but the frames themselves still transferred cold like crazy. Plus, I started getting more condensation right around the edges, since the metal stayed colder than the new glass. If you’re after real comfort, sometimes biting the bullet and going for a full frame replacement (maybe composite or wood-clad) ends up being less hassle down the line, even if it’s pricier up front. Just my two cents after wrestling with it last winter...

I hear you on the condensation and cold transfer. I’m in a similar boat - bought my first place last year, and it’s got these original aluminum windows from the 80s. They look fine, no real corrosion or anything, but man, you can feel the chill off them when it drops below freezing. I thought about just swapping in double-pane glass too, since the frames are still solid, but after talking to a couple contractors, it seemed like I’d just be putting a bandaid on the problem.

Honestly, I’ve noticed the same thing with the condensation right around the metal. Wakes me up sometimes when it’s super cold and you can actually hear the drip from the sill. Not fun. And yeah, the cold radiates through the frames even if the glass is better. I get that full replacements aren’t cheap - I got a quote for composite frames and almost choked - but I’m starting to think it’s worth saving up for it anyway.

One thing I will say, though: for how old these aluminum windows are, they’ve held up way better than some of my friends’ wood ones. No rot or warping, and they still slide open pretty smoothly. Just wish they weren’t so cold in winter. If you’re somewhere mild, maybe it’s less of an issue, but here in Ontario… not ideal.

Anyway, totally relate to wrestling with whether to just upgrade the glass or replace everything. Leaning toward biting the bullet myself next year if I can swing it.