Vinyl vs. Aluminum Windows: Which Are Better?

When it’s time to replace windows in your home, you might be wondering — which should you go with? Vinyl and aluminum windows can be fantastic options, but new windows are surprisingly expensive, with an average cost between $100 and $4,500 each. Depending on how many windows you have, the total cost of new windows can easily exceed $15,000 — making it essential to choose the right windows for your home to avoid buyer’s remorse.

This article covers the similarities and differences between vinyl and aluminum windows, comparing each type of window based on cost, appearance, durability, and more. I discuss the situations where each type of window makes sense and explore the pros and cons of each in detail to help you make the right choice. 

*Costs in this article sourced from contractor estimates used by Angi.

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What Are Vinyl Windows?

Vinyl windows are made from a low-cost material, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), that’s easy to clean and maintain. Compared to a more traditional wood window frame, vinyl windows are more resilient, easier to care for, and more affordable, making them far more popular in modern homes. Vinyl windows also maintain the look of traditional windows, and some brands even offer wood-like textures.

The popularity of vinyl windows is well-deserved, and I have no qualms about stating that they’re the right choice for most homeowners. However, there are certain circumstances where aluminum windows are the better option.

Read our article on our favorite vinyl windows.

What Are Aluminum Windows?

Aluminum windows are stronger than vinyl ones, making them a strong choice for larger window installations. Their increased strength also makes them a better option in areas with extreme weather, such as hurricanes and tornadoes. However, they’re expensive, prone to dents and scratches, and require extensive maintenance to keep them clean and in good working order. 

Aluminum windows come in various colors but don’t have the same level of customization as vinyl windows. If you opt for aluminum windows, you won’t find the same selection of styles and textures as you would with vinyl.

Differences Between Vinyl and Aluminum

Vinyl and aluminum windows couldn’t be more different. The following sections explore the differences between vinyl and aluminum windows to help you decide which is right for your home.

Appearance and Aesthetics

Vinyl windows offer more style options than aluminum windows, making them the better choice if you care about aesthetics. Vinyl windows come in various looks, with smooth textures, matte finishes, faux wood-grain designs, and countless other styles. This flexibility makes vinyl windows easy to fit into an existing style and won’t hold you back if you design a new home from the ground up.

Aluminum windows are much more limited in terms of customization. You can get aluminum windows in virtually any color, but your options are otherwise lacking. Aluminum windows will always look like aluminum windows, which will fit in certain styles but look out of place in others. If you’re going for a modern or industrial aesthetic, aluminum is worth a look.

Energy Efficiency

Vinyl windows are more energy-efficient than aluminum ones. A window’s ability to resist heat flow is measured by a statistic called the R-Value. Higher R-values indicate greater thermal resistance and better energy efficiency. Vinyl windows typically have R-Values of 4–6. Aluminum windows, on the other hand, usually have lower R-Values between 0.5 and 1.5, indicating poorer thermal resistance and lower energy efficiency.

If you want aluminum windows but care about keeping your home’s energy usage low, consider aluminum windows with built-in thermal insulation or thermal breaks. Windows are also rated by ENERGY STAR, which can help guide you toward a more energy-efficient window.

Installation

Installing new windows is a big home improvement project even for experienced DIY-ers — regardless of whether you choose vinyl or aluminum. That said, vinyl tends to be easier to work with since it’s the more pliable frame material. Aluminum windows are rigid and unforgiving, and you will have difficulty getting them to sit properly if your work isn’t extremely precise.

Unless you already know how to replace windows, I recommend hiring a professional contractor to install your new windows. Your installation will go faster if you hire a pro, and you won’t have to worry about running into issues down the road if you don’t install them correctly.

Insulation

Aluminum is a metal, and metals generally conduct heat very efficiently — which means more heat lost through your windows in the winter and higher heating bills overall. Vinyl has a much lower heat conductivity, meaning it takes longer to lose the same amount of heat through a vinyl window than an aluminum one.

Heat transfer through aluminum windows can significantly affect your heating and cooling bills, so consider aluminum windows carefully if you live somewhere with extreme temperature changes between seasons. Unless you’re married to the look of aluminum windows, vinyl windows are almost always the better choice since they’re more energy efficient and save you significant amounts of money on your heating and cooling bills. 

You might have to add some caulk to your vinyl windows if they’re not installed correctly. Once you have them sealed, you’ll notice an immediate improvement in your home’s energy efficiency compared to aluminum windows. Vinyl windows are the better option if your home is exposed to extreme temperatures since their better insulating capacity will strain your home’s HVAC system less.

Read also: Vinyl and Fiberglass Windows Comparison

Maintenance and Cleaning

Both vinyl and aluminum windows are fairly low-maintenance, but vinyl windows win by a hair. Vinyl windows require virtually zero maintenance, making them the best option for homeowners who never want to think about their windows once installed. 

Vinyl windows need to be cleaned, but you won’t have to worry about them growing mold or algae — so they only need to be cleaned for aesthetic purposes.

Read also: How to Properly Clean Windows

Aluminum windows require less maintenance than traditional wooden windows, but they take a bit more work to care for than vinyl windows. Aluminum windows are prone to rust and mold accumulation over time if you don’t clean them regularly. This is especially annoying if you live somewhere with high humidity or regular rainfall since you’ll often have to clean your aluminum in such climates.

Another point against aluminum is that it needs to be repainted to cover scratches and dings over time. Vinyl windows might show a bit of discoloration from exposure to the elements, but their appearance doesn’t change much as they age. Aluminum windows show wear readily — most homeowners wind up repainting them a few times.

Strength and Damage Probability

Aluminum is significantly stronger than vinyl, making it the better choice if you live somewhere prone to extreme weather or earthquakes. However, aluminum is also quite soft despite its strength, which means it dents and scratches easily. 

Damage to aluminum windows is much more obvious than damage to vinyl windows, so they age less gracefully. Scratches are easy to cover with a fresh coat of paint, but dents are harder to manage.

Vinyl provides less overall structural support than aluminum, but it resists most kinds of superficial damage. Vinyl windows will look better than aluminum windows for longer, even if you give them very little care and attention.

Vinyl vs. Aluminum Windows Cost

Vinyl windows are much more affordable than aluminum, making them the go-to choice for homeowners on a budget. On average, vinyl windows cost between $100 and $900 per window before labor costs — making them more affordable than aluminum, composite, fiberglass, and wood frames. From a cost perspective, vinyl windows usually can’t be beaten, but there are certain vinyl options that can cost up to $4,500.

Aluminum windows cost between 30% and 50% more than vinyl windows, so they’re not a great option if money is tight. Specifically, you should expect to pay between $200 and $1,200 per window for aluminum windows. The bigger issue than the up-front cost is that aluminum windows will cost you more throughout their lives by being less energy efficient.

Tips for Hiring a Professional to Install Vinyl or Aluminum Windows

Installing your own windows can be a fantastic way to save money on the task, but if you’re not quite sure where to start, the windows are in a difficult-to-reach area of your home, or you don’t have time to tackle the job yourself, hiring a professional is probably the best option.

Luckily, most window contractors charge a similar rate to install new windows regardless of the window material. The installation cost will vary depending on where you live, your home’s accessibility, and seasonal demand, but the typical price for installing new windows is around $100 to $300 per window.

Before hiring a professional window installer, you should:

• Talk to friends and family members. It’s likely you have a friend or family member who has previously had windows replaced and can give you some recommendations.
• Look at reviews. Always check reviews on trusted review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, Yelp, and others before hiring a window installer.
• Check licensing and insurance. Each state has different license and insurance requirements for window installers. Research your state’s requirements and make sure the professional has the appropriate documentation before hiring them.
• Get quotes. Homeowners should shop around before selecting a window installer to work with. Ask for quotes and inquire about guarantees and warranties. Get everything in writing.

How Do Vinyl and Aluminum Windows Compare to Other Options?

Of course, vinyl and aluminum aren’t your only options. There are several other types of window frames you could opt for, including:

Wood

Wood windows can be more affordable than aluminum but less expensive than vinyl, ranging in price between $150 to $1,300 on average but reaching up to $2,650 on the high end. It provides more energy efficiency compared to vinyl and aluminum options. And while wood is more durable than vinyl, aluminum is more durable than either.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass windows are an excellent choice all around, with high durability, energy efficiency, and eco-friendliness. However, they can be more costly than vinyl (and cheaper than aluminum). Design options may also be limited, and they have to be professionally installed. It’s not a do-it-yourself project and it’s much easier to purchase aluminum windows than it is fiberglass windows.

Wood-Clad

Wood-clad has a higher price point than both vinyl and aluminum windows, coming in between $250 and $2,000 on average, but all three require very little maintenance. Wood-clad windows are also more durable and sustainable than aluminum.

Composite

Composite windows, which mimic the look of wood, range between $300 and $1,200 on average, which is cheaper than vinyl but on par for aluminum. It’s very durable, more so than vinyl, and is also low maintenance.

Steel

Steel is much more expensive than either vinyl or aluminum and is prone to corrosion. However, it’s a solid option if you’re concerned about security or fire. Steel is also easier to maintain than vinyl and stronger when compared to aluminum.

Final Thoughts: Are Vinyl or Aluminum Windows Better?

For most homeowners, vinyl windows are the better choice by far. They’re more affordable, easier to maintain, and more insulating — making them better in the categories that matter more to most people. Vinyl windows are also more customizable and come in many colors, textures, and styles.

Aluminum windows have their place, but they’re more expensive, more difficult to clean, and a headache to maintain. The primary advantage of aluminum windows is their strength, which makes them well-suited for areas subject to tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes. Aluminum windows also fit certain styles better, which can be the deciding factor if you care more about aesthetics than anything else.