Choosing between an “aluminum door vs upvc door” is a challenging task because both of these doors are excellent. It is not always easy to tell their differences, but they are distinct in terms of quality, performance, and practicality.
An in-depth comparison between aluminum and uPVC doors can help you determine which one suits your space needs. So, in this article, we’ll break down their district characteristics, including their advantages and disadvantages.
Contents
What are aluminum doors?
Aluminum doors, primarily made of aluminum materials, come with a shutter and frame. This attachment makes it easy to open or close the door, which protects your privacy and space’s accessibility. In addition, this door type is extremely durable and sturdy, which makes them long-lasting. They are also resistant to weather, corrosion, or rust, which makes them suitable for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Despite containing metal material, they are still lightweight and aesthetic.
Pros and Cons of Aluminum Doors
Pros
- Aluminum doors offer a sleek and modern design that fits almost all of space, whether for residential or commercial. They also come in a wide selection of finishes and styles that allow you to match the appearance of the door to your space.
- Aluminum doors are remarkable for their durability, which makes them last for many years. They are even suitable for outdoor areas because they can withstand extreme environmental conditions and resist rust and corrosion.
- Aluminum doors provide extensive security, which will keep you safe and protected. Most of these aluminum doors have anti-burglary security and cutting-edge locking systems, lessening your worries over intruders.
- Aluminum doors are both energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. This door is usually made of sustainable materials and can be recycled into a new door or door part. At the same time, they are equipped with thermal breaks or insulating materials that keep the flow heating and cooling more efficient.
- Aluminum requires low maintenance requirements. It is enough to clean it yearly, even without professional help.
Cons
- Aluminum doors’ disadvantage is how susceptible they are to condensation and water stains. This led to the door growing with mold and mildew.
- Aluminum doors, despite being durable, can still get scratches and dents. This is particularly prominent if the door is placed in high-traffic areas and is not handled carefully during installation and maintenance.
- Aluminum doors are more expensive than other door materials, especially if they include premium hardware and finishes.
What are uPVC doors?
Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride, also known as uPVC, is among the low-maintenance and efficient materials for doors. uPVC doors are made with plastic materials that are fused under intense pressure. Despite its plastic materials, this door attains excellent durability, resilience, and versatility, which are ideal for various residential spaces.
Pros and Cons of uPVC Doors
Pros
- uPVC doors are durable and long-lasting because they do not rust or corrode. Most of these doors have a coating that protects them from UV rays.
- uPVC doors have a wide selection of aesthetically pleasing styles, shapes, colors, and glazing options. They can blend into your properties seamlessly without making them appear cheap.
- uPVC doors do not react to air, water, or fire that easily. It will have less appearance of grains and water stains, and it is also hard to ignite.
- uPVC doors are known for being energy-efficient because uPVC material is a low-heat conductor. This means that it keeps the space warm in winter and cold in summer.
- uPVC doors are primarily made using recyclable materials, which last for years. The average lifespan of this door is around 25 to 30 years.
Cons
- uPVC doors lack structural strength because they are prone to cracking or breakage. They also cannot withstand extreme weather conditions like storms.
- uPVC doors pose environmental concerns because they rely heavily on energy and oil in their manufacturing process. The materials that are used in making this door are also not suitable or recyclable.
- uPVC doors are more expensive upfront than other door options. They might cost three times more, but you can ROI it through low maintenance costs and energy savings in the long run.
Comparing the Difference Between Aluminum Door vs uPVC Door
When comparing an aluminum door vs upvc door with each other, their distinction is apparent. Here are the differences you can note:
Cost
Aluminum doors are a much more expensive option than UPVC doors. The reason for this is that uPVC doors have much cheaper raw materials and can be produced on a large scale. On the other hand, aluminum is not easily sourced and is crafted differently. Despite these price differences, aluminum can potentially be cost-efficient in the long run because of its qualities.
Durability
Both of these doors are durable and can last for years, especially if they are installed and maintained properly. However, uPVC may weaken over time because they are prone to discoloration and cracking. The average lifespan of uPVC doors is around 25 to 35 years. This makes aluminum superior in terms of durability because its average lifespan is around 40 years and can extend to more if maintained properly.
Environmental-friendliness
When it comes to being environmentally friendly, aluminum and uPVC doors have advantages of their own. Aluminum doors can be recycled repeatedly and require at least 5% energy to do so. This door also includes powder coatings that do not release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may increase outdoor emissions or respiratory damage. In contrast, uPVC doors are made of thermoplastic polymer structure, one of the cleanest materials. This material allows the door to be produced excellently without compromising its quality.
Design and aesthetic
Aluminum and uPVC doors come in a wide range of design options that you can choose from. When it comes to uPVC doors, they can be painted or coated, including adding wood effects, so they can blend in the space. Despite the available options, their design flexibility is limited.
In contrast, aluminum doors have a wider range, especially with color, finishes, or customization options. They even include powder coatings made of resins, polymers, or thermoplastic to get the design you want. This makes aluminum a preferred choice for intricate projects because it suits more architectural types.
Maintenance
It is always a must that you clean your doors regularly to avoid early damage. You can simply use a damp cloth with mild soap to clean the doors, and you’re good to go. However, comparing the maintenance properties of aluminum doors vs uPVC doors, aluminum doors require more upkeep because you have to repaint or fix the coatings. This maintenance would be frequent, especially if the aluminum doors are placed in a high-traffic or extreme weather area.
Insulation
When it comes to the insulation properties, uPVC doors are superior. uPVC doors provide excellent insulation against heat because of their plastic material, known for being a poor heat conductor. Due to its poor heat conductivity, it prevents both heat gains and losses inside the space. This means that they will keep the inside space warm in winter and cold in summer.
However, aluminum doors provide extremely poor insulation because aluminum materials conduct heat well. This means that through this door, the heat can pass through in and out of the space. Aluminum doors also lack energy efficiency, which can increase your cost of electricity or thermal equipment.
Safety and Security Features
While both aluminum and uPVC doors can be equipped with hardware and locking mechanisms, aluminum is relatively more secure and safe. Aluminum material has inherent strength and robustness that is not easy to break, especially with minimal force. This is why aluminum doors can provide your space with a strong physical barrier to keep it protected from breakage or extreme weather conditions.
Weatherproof
Aluminum doors have a higher ratio for enduring extreme weather conditions. Aluminum doors can withstand these weather conditions as they resist corrosion, rust, and decay. This is an important component, as doors that are not weatherproof will degrade over time, which results in the growth of moisture, breakage, and heat loss.
Practical Value
Doors can enhance the beauty of your space. There is a great difference in how both aluminum door vs upvc doors enhance your space’s practicality and design. Aluminum doors come in a wide variety of options and colors, suitable for both modern and contemporary design. This door brings out an expensive-looking space and is easy to operate. On the other hand, upvc doors also have fewer color possibilities and can appear not uniform with the whole space. This is why this door is commonly utilized if you are just replacing the door.
Installation
The installation between aluminum doors and upvc doors is different. In installing aluminum doors, panels and hinges are necessary. Whereas, in installing upvc doors, a frame is needed. Installing both of these doors is tricky, especially if you don’t have the proper knowledge of it. Hence, you must obtain the necessary equipment and follow a comprehensive guide for easy and proper installation.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between “aluminum door vs upvc door” is tough because they have both advantages and disadvantages. Aluminum doors would likely be your choice if you want a door that is low maintenance and keeps your space well-insulated. However, upvc doors would likely be your choice if you want a door that is long-lasting, secure, and aesthetic.
If you are still undecided at this point, you can reach out to our team for more information about uPVC or aluminum doors. Our team of experts would gladly respond to your inquiries and tend to your door needs!
