When you start pricing new window frames in Perth, the first decision is almost always uPVC vs aluminium. The two frame materials sit at very different price points, behave differently in Perth's climate, and have very different long term costs. This guide is a straight cost comparison of uPVC and aluminium windows on price, energy efficiency, durability, and what you actually get back over the life of the frame.
If you have already read our piece on uPVC versus standard aluminium for thermal performance, this article takes the next step and focuses on the price comparison side of the upvc vs aluminium decision.
Upfront Price: What Each Frame Material Actually Costs
Standard aluminium windows are the cheapest off-the-shelf option on the market. uPVC window frames sit roughly 30 to 50 percent higher on initial supply. Thermally broken aluminium frames sit in the middle and can match uPVC on the upper end of the range.
For a like-for-like double glazed sliding window of about 1.8 by 1.2 metres in Perth, expect the following ballpark numbers supplied and installed:
- Standard aluminium windows: roughly 900 to 1,300 dollars per opening.
- Thermally broken aluminium: roughly 1,400 to 1,900 dollars per opening.
- uPVC windows: roughly 1,500 to 2,200 dollars per opening.
The higher upfront cost of uPVC sits with the raw material and the more involved manufacturing processes. uPVC profiles are extruded with multiple internal chambers and steel reinforcement, which is why they support larger glass panels and deliver excellent thermal insulation. Aluminium frames are simpler extrusions, lighter, and faster to assemble. That is why standard aluminium windows are cheaper at the till.
Energy Efficiency: Where the Real Cost Sits
The sticker price only tells you half the story. The bigger number sits in your energy bills.
Aluminium is a brilliant conductor of heat. It is around a thousand times more conductive than uPVC. In a Perth summer a standard aluminium frame heats up on the outside and dumps that heat straight into the room through the frame, regardless of how good the glass is. In winter the same physics works in reverse and the frame leaks heat out.
uPVC has very low thermal conductivity. uPVC windows tend to hold the inside surface temperature within a few degrees of the room temperature year round. This is why uPVC windows are the default frame material across most of Europe, Canada and now increasingly across Western Australian new builds where energy efficiency is a priority.
Thermally broken aluminium frames add a polyamide thermal break between the inside and outside aluminium sections, which reduces heat transfer significantly. They get most of the way to uPVC thermal performance but at a higher cost than standard aluminium.
Real-world energy savings on a typical Perth home swapping standard aluminium for double glazed uPVC windows usually land between 20 and 35 percent on cooling costs across summer. Those energy savings compound over the life of the frame.
Long Term Costs: What Happens Over 20 Years
A window frame is a 25 to 40 year investment. The honest cost comparison is not the day-one price but the long term costs across the life of the home.
Over 20 years a uPVC window installed in Perth typically returns the higher upfront cost through three savings channels:
- Lower energy costs from superior thermal performance.
- Minimal maintenance compared to aluminium frames near the coast.
- Better condensation control, which protects internal wall finishes and curtains.
Standard aluminium windows often need replacement seals, repainted finishes, and replacement hardware within 15 years, especially in coastal Perth suburbs. uPVC frames typically require only occasional cleaning with soapy water and stay structurally and visually intact for 30 plus years.
Maintenance: The Quiet Cost
This is the gap that surprises most homeowners.
uPVC windows require minimal upkeep. There is no painting, no rust, no corrosion. The frames need only occasional cleaning to keep them looking fresh. After 20 years a clean uPVC frame still looks the same as the day it was installed.
Aluminium windows are highly durable in structural terms but the surface finish is the weak point. Powder coatings chalk over time. Coastal salt air pits aluminium surfaces. The seals and rubbers around aluminium frames are the first parts to fail. Even with very low maintenance habits, an aluminium frame is going to need attention earlier than a uPVC one.
Thermally broken aluminium handles maintenance better than standard aluminium windows because the thermal break also reduces condensation around the frame. But it still has more moving and finished parts than uPVC.
Appearance and Design Options
Aluminium has a slim modern appearance that suits commercial buildings and contemporary architecture. The thinner profile lets you fit larger glass panels with less visible frame around the edge, which is one reason aluminium dominated the market for so many years.
uPVC frames used to look chunkier than aluminium, but modern uPVC profiles have closed the gap. Today you can specify slim frames in uPVC with sightlines close to aluminium while keeping the energy efficiency benefits. Surface finishes range from white through to wood-grain laminates and dark anthracite, so the modern aesthetics options are not limited.
If your priority is the thinnest possible frame for the largest glass panel, thermally broken aluminium still has a slight edge. For everything else, uPVC matches it. Compared to wooden frames, both aluminium and uPVC are dramatically lower maintenance.
Durability in Perth Conditions
Both aluminium and uPVC are highly durable in Perth conditions, but they fail in different ways.
Aluminium handles UV exposure well structurally but the powder-coated finish can fade and chalk over 15 to 20 years. Coastal homes in Cottesloe, Scarborough and Mandurah suffer faster surface degradation due to salt air. The frame itself stays strong, but the appearance ages.
uPVC handles UV exposure differently. Modern Australian-spec uPVC profiles are formulated with extra UV stabilisers and titanium dioxide for the Australian sun. They do not corrode, do not need painting, and do not react to coastal salt air. The trade off historically was that older uPVC could yellow in extreme UV, but current generation profiles are tested for 50-plus years of Australian conditions.
Cost Effectiveness Verdict
Comparing aluminium and uPVC on cost effectiveness depends on how long you plan to stay in the home and what you want from the windows.
For a short-hold investment property where the buyer will choose on day-one price, standard aluminium windows are the cost effective choice. They are cheap to fit, look modern enough, and tick the box for a rental property or a flip.
For a home you plan to live in for more than 10 years, uPVC windows are the better long-term value. The higher upfront cost pays back through energy savings, minimal maintenance, and superior insulation that keeps the home comfortable through Perth summers and winters.
For a high-end build where you want the slim sightlines of aluminium and the thermal performance of uPVC, thermally broken aluminium frames are a workable middle ground. They cost close to uPVC, look closer to standard aluminium, and deliver most of the energy efficiency benefits. Unlike aluminium without a thermal break, they will not act as a heat bridge.
uPVC vs Aluminium Pros and Cons Summary
Here is the short version of the upvc windows vs aluminium and aluminium versus upvc windows trade-offs.
uPVC windows pros: superior thermal performance, excellent thermal insulation properties, minimal maintenance, no rust or corrosion, better sound insulation, lower long term costs, low thermal conductivity, no painting required, supports larger glass panels with reinforced profiles, plenty of natural light through slim modern frames. uPVC windows cons: higher upfront cost than standard aluminium, slightly heavier sightlines than thermally broken aluminium.
Aluminium windows pros: lowest upfront cost in standard form, slim frames and modern appearance, lightweight, suits commercial buildings and modern aesthetics. Aluminium windows cons: high heat transfer in standard frames, environmental impact aluminium production is higher, surface finish ages, coastal salt air corrodes the finish, higher long term energy bills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are uPVC windows cheaper than aluminium in Perth?
No. Standard aluminium windows are cheaper on day one. uPVC frames sit roughly 30 to 50 percent higher in upfront cost. Over a 10 to 20 year window, however, uPVC usually works out cheaper once energy savings and maintenance are added in.
Do uPVC windows last as long as aluminium?
Yes, and often longer. A quality Australian-spec uPVC frame lasts 30 to 40 years with minimal upkeep. Aluminium frames last similar timeframes structurally but the finish and seals usually need attention sooner.
Are thermally broken aluminium frames as efficient as uPVC?
Thermally broken aluminium delivers most of the thermal performance of uPVC but not all of it. uPVC has lower thermal conductivity by a significant margin. Thermally broken aluminium frames are a strong choice if you specifically need very slim frames and larger glass panels.
Which option saves more on energy bills in Perth?
uPVC. The lower thermal conductivity of uPVC, combined with double glazed sealed units, typically delivers 20 to 35 percent savings on cooling costs compared to standard aluminium windows in a Perth home.
Do uPVC windows handle the Australian sun?
Yes. Modern uPVC profiles sold in Australia are formulated with UV stabilisers and titanium dioxide specifically for Australian conditions. They do not yellow, warp or degrade like older uPVC in extreme UV.
What about sliding doors with the same comparison?
The same thermal performance, maintenance and energy efficiency differences apply to sliding doors. uPVC sliding doors cost more upfront than aluminium but deliver the same long term energy and maintenance savings.
Is uPVC better for sound insulation?
Yes. uPVC frames have multi-chamber profiles that absorb sound far better than the hollow extrusion of an aluminium frame. Combined with double glazed acoustic glass, uPVC windows reduce traffic and aircraft noise more effectively.
Choosing the Right Frame for Your Perth Home
The right answer to upvc vs aluminium depends on how long you plan to keep the home, how much you spend on heating and cooling, and how much you value minimal maintenance over the life of the windows. For most Perth owner-occupiers, double glazed uPVC windows are the cost effective choice over a 10-plus year horizon. For investment properties and short holds, standard aluminium windows still make sense on price.
Canon Double Glazing supplies and installs double glazed uPVC windows and sliding doors across Perth. The team can run a side-by-side quote with aluminium and uPVC for the same opening so you can compare real numbers for your home before you decide.
