Nickel's definitely a solid pick, but aluminum actually tends to handle direct sun exposure a bit better in my experience. Nickel finishes can sometimes fade or discolor slightly when exposed to intense sunlight over a long period—nothing drastic, but noticeable after a few years. Aluminum, especially brushed or anodized, usually holds its appearance longer under those conditions.
If you're swapping handles and your windows get lots of direct sun, here's a quick tip: look for anodized aluminum rather than just painted or coated. Anodizing creates a protective layer that resists fading and corrosion exceptionally well. I've seen aluminum handles installed on south-facing windows that still look brand new after a decade or more.
Also, don't forget to check the screws and fittings. Stainless steel hardware with aluminum handles is a winning combo—less chance of corrosion or stuck screws down the road. Either way, you're making a good call going metal over plastic. Plastic might seem cheaper upfront, but trust me, replacing brittle, cracked handles every few years isn't worth the hassle...
Good points on aluminum, especially anodized. I've swapped out plenty of handles for clients, and honestly, metal is always the smarter long-term choice. Plastic might save a few bucks initially, but it just doesn't hold up—especially with sun exposure. Had a client recently whose plastic handles literally crumbled after just four summers. Metal's definitely worth the extra investment, and anodized aluminum with stainless fittings? That's a combo you'll thank yourself for down the line.
Metal's definitely solid, but honestly, I've had decent luck with high-quality UV-resistant plastic handles. Installed some about six years ago on south-facing windows, and they're still holding strong—no fading or cracking yet. Maybe it depends on the brand or quality of plastic? Metal's great, sure, but if budget's tight, good plastic isn't always a disaster...just gotta pick carefully.
I've had mixed experiences myself. Installed some plastic handles about eight years ago—good quality, UV-resistant, all that jazz. They looked great at first, but after around five years, they started getting brittle and one actually snapped off in my hand. Ended up swapping them all out for metal, and haven't looked back since. Maybe it was the brand or climate differences? Curious if anyone's tried reinforcing plastic handles somehow to prolong their lifespan...
"Curious if anyone's tried reinforcing plastic handles somehow to prolong their lifespan..."
Tried epoxy resin reinforcement once—worked okay short-term, but still cracked eventually. Honestly, metal handles are just less hassle long-term. Worth the extra cost to avoid future headaches imo.
I've messed around with reinforcing plastic handles too—tried fiberglass tape and epoxy combo once. It held up for a bit, but eventually the stress points gave way again. Honestly, after dealing with multiple replacements over the years, metal handles have been a game changer. Sure, they're pricier upfront, but the peace of mind and durability outweigh the cost difference pretty quickly. Plastic just doesn't seem built for the long haul, especially if you're opening and closing windows regularly.
"Plastic just doesn't seem built for the long haul, especially if you're opening and closing windows regularly."
I get where you're coming from, but honestly, not all plastic handles are created equal. I've had decent luck with reinforced nylon handles—especially ones with internal metal cores. They're lighter than full metal, don't corrode, and I've had a couple last years without issues. Maybe it's more about finding the right quality rather than dismissing plastic altogether...