Thermally broken aluminum and PVC doors and windows: thermal insulation and soundproofing performance and selection

2025,12,23

1. Thermally Broken Aluminum Windows and Doors: An "All-Round Performer" for Extreme Climates

Cold Climates (e.g., Northern Europe, Canada)

Advantages: The thermal break strips in thermally broken aluminum windows (such as PA66 nylon) can block heat transfer between indoors and outdoors, reducing heating energy consumption. For example, in Oslo, Norway, residential buildings using thermally broken aluminum windows experienced a 40% reduction in indoor temperature fluctuations during winter and a 25% saving in heating costs.

Case Study: Swedish building standards require windows and doors to have a U-value (heat transfer coefficient) ≤ 1.4 W/(㎡·K). Thermally broken aluminum windows easily meet this standard through their multi-cavity structure and Low-E double-glazed windows, while PVC Windows require additional glass layers to barely meet the requirement.

Hot and Dry Climates (e.g., the Middle East, inland Australia)

Advantages: The thermal insulation design of thermally broken aluminum windows slows down the transfer of outdoor heat, reducing air conditioning load. A real-world test in a Dubai hotel project showed that thermally broken aluminum windows lowered the indoor temperature by 8-10°C compared to the outdoor temperature, reducing air conditioning energy consumption by 30%. Comparison: PVC windows are prone to deformation at high temperatures, leading to decreased sealing performance, while the aluminum alloy frame of thermally broken aluminum windows maintains stable high-temperature resistance.

Choose Black Aluminum or white Vinyl window

High-salinity coastal climates (e.g., Mediterranean coast, Japanese coast)

Advantages: Thermally broken aluminum windows can undergo salt spray resistance treatments (such as anodizing or fluorocarbon coating) to resist seawater corrosion. A guesthouse project on a Greek Aegean island used thermally broken aluminum windows and experienced no rust issues for 10 years, while PVC windows showed embrittlement within 5 years.

Data: In salt spray resistance tests, thermally broken aluminum windows passed the 96-hour corrosion resistance standard, while PVC windows only lasted 48 hours.

High-altitude cold climates (e.g., Andes Mountains, Tibetan Plateau)

Advantages: The thermal insulation performance of thermally broken aluminum windows reduces indoor heat loss, and their high-strength structure can withstand strong winds. A residential project in Cusco, Peru (altitude 3400 meters) showed that thermally broken aluminum windows maintained a stable indoor temperature at -15°C, while PVC windows suffered sealing failure due to low-temperature embrittlement.

2. PVC Windows and Doors: A Cost-Effective Choice for Mild Climates

Temperate Maritime Climates (e.g., UK, New Zealand)

Advantages: The multi-chamber structure and double-glazed windows of PVC windows meet basic insulation requirements at a lower cost. In a London apartment project, the heat transfer coefficient of PVC windows reached 2.2 W/(㎡·K), meeting building energy efficiency standards, and the unit price was 30% lower than that of thermally broken aluminum windows.

Limitations: At extreme low temperatures (<-10℃), PVC profiles may become brittle, requiring the selection of plasticizer-modified products.

Subtropical Humid Climates (e.g., São Paulo, Brazil, Taiwan)

Advantages: PVC windows offer excellent waterproofing in rainy environments and have better corrosion resistance than ordinary metals. A residential project in São Paulo, Brazil, showed that PVC windows experienced no leakage issues for 10 years under an average annual rainfall of 1500mm.

Comparison: While thermally broken aluminum windows offer superior waterproofing, their cost is 1.5-2 times that of PVC windows.

Economical Projects (e.g., affordable housing in Southeast Asia, low-to-middle-income housing in Africa)

Advantages: PVC windows have low initial costs and are easy to maintain. In an affordable housing project in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, the cost per window was kept below 80 after adopting PVC windows, while the cost of thermally broken aluminum windows was over 150.

Note: Choose products with a profile wall thickness ≥2.5mm and steel reinforcement to improve wind pressure resistance.

3. Selection Decision: Precise Matching of Climate and Needs

Extreme Climate Regions (e.g., Northern Europe, Middle East, High Altitudes)

Prioritize Thermally Broken Aluminum Windows: Choose multi-chamber profiles (≥5 chambers), PA66 thermal break strips, and triple-glazed windows (e.g., 5+12Ar+5+12Ar+5), and ensure they pass salt spray and low-temperature embrittlement tests.

Case Study: The Trondheim polar research station in Norway uses thermally broken aluminum windows with a U-value of 0.8 W/(㎡·K), capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -40℃.

For temperate climates (e.g., UK, New Zealand, Brazil):

Optional PVC windows: Choose profiles with a wall thickness ≥2.5mm, equipped with multi-cavity insulated glass (e.g., 5+12A+5), and require a 10-year warranty from the supplier.

Upgrade option: If noise is a significant issue (e.g., near an airport), a PVC frame + laminated insulated glass combination can be used, improving sound insulation by 5-8 decibels.

For mixed climates (e.g., California, USA, coastal Australia):

Zoned use: Use thermally broken aluminum windows in bedrooms and living rooms where comfort is paramount; use PVC windows in kitchens and bathrooms where cost is a concern.

Case study: A villa project in Los Angeles used thermally broken aluminum windows in bedrooms (U-value 1.2 W/(㎡·K)) and PVC windows in the garage (U-value 2.5 W/(㎡·K)), reducing overall costs by 15%.

4. Key parameters and guidelines

Temperature-break aluminum windows:

Thermal insulation strip material: Must be PA66 nylon; avoid PVC thermal insulation strips (poor high-temperature resistance, prone to aging). Glass Configuration: Triple-glazed windows offer 40% better sound insulation than double-glazed windows, but at a 25% higher cost.

Sealing Design: The triple-sealing structure (sealing strip + weatherstripping + sealant) achieves an airtightness of level 8 and a watertightness of level 6 according to national standards.

PVC Windows: Frame Structure: Five-chamber or higher designs are preferred; more chambers result in better thermal insulation.

Steel Reinforcement: Galvanized steel reinforcement (thickness ≥ 1.2mm) is embedded within the window frame to improve wind pressure resistance.

Drainage System: Independent drainage chamber design prevents rainwater backflow.

Aluminum Alloy Windows and doors, with their all-weather adaptability, are the preferred choice for high-end projects, while PVC windows and doors dominate the mid-to-low-end market due to their cost-effectiveness. Procurement decisions should consider local climate characteristics (such as temperature difference, humidity, and salinity), project budget, and performance requirements (such as thermal insulation, sound insulation, and durability). Precise matching of material parameters and system design is crucial to achieving the optimal balance between performance and cost.

Author:

Ms. Rebecca Lee

E-mail:

sale01@wddoorwins.com

Phone/WhatsApp:

+86 13502225784