Browse Forums Windows & Doors Re: UPVC windows vs aluminium thermally broken 2Mar 13, 2019 10:30 am uPVC is a plastic window, sometimes with steel reinforcement, thermally broken is an aluminium window which has the profiles separated, between outside and inside and these are joined with plastic. Both rely upon the low conductivity of plastic for their energy performance. The advantage of uPVC is the lower U value, its disadvantages are that uPVC has a high coefficient of linear expansion, it melts at 170 deg, C. And uPVC becomes brittle over time, making maintenance difficult. The high expansion rate for me means that large sashes and moving panels require space to move, and they can bind or stick. The low temperature of melting seems to negate their claim of suitability for BAL29. White would be the only colour to work with due to the absorption of solar energy by the darker colours which will exacerbate the expansion problem, and likely the ageing of the uPVC. Thermally broken is just a design type, on its own, it does not represent that the window is any more energy efficient than any other. The key to its performance is the Uw, look at the Uw (in WERS.net). I say this because our EcoTech window outperforms most thermally broken windows, and though EcoTech is not thermally broken, its design is far superior. These figures are produced by independent NATA laboratories and audited by the Window Energy Rating Scheme, so this is a levelling factor. Cost wise, uPVC and thermally broken would be on par, EcoTech would be about 40% cheaper than thermally broken windows. There are many more aluminium window companies in Melbourne than all the others put together, Aluminium would be 90% of the market. "ECOECO" Double Glazing in Aluminium & Thermally Broken Aluminium Replacement Window Experts Including Installation (Melb) Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: UPVC windows vs aluminium thermally broken 3Mar 13, 2019 7:44 pm Thanks Ecoeco for your response, I've seen you around and believe you worked with both aluminium and UPVC windows in the past, which one do you prefer when it comes to durability and energy efficiency? I will also check your your website, since i do not know many 'good' aluminium window companies in melbourne Re: UPVC windows vs aluminium thermally broken 4Mar 14, 2019 1:09 pm Website under construction, but there is a basic one... I have not sold uPVC recently for the reasons I gave earlier, I do sell aluminium... There are many aluminium companies, not sure what you mean by good, many are making windows for project builders which is generally price related, so it depends what you want... I do know most of them. Drop in and have a coffee... "ECOECO" Double Glazing in Aluminium & Thermally Broken Aluminium Replacement Window Experts Including Installation (Melb) Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: UPVC windows vs aluminium thermally broken 6May 21, 2019 4:16 pm ![]() Sorry to hijack.....EcoEco, do you sell in NSW or only VIC (I couldn't tell from the website)? Do you have information on your EcoTech and EcoTherm products you could share? Hi We sell all over Australia. But we cannot provide service support outside Victoria, only spare parts. We no longer provide EcoTherm because our standard non-broken product, EcoTech, is equal in performance. Our standard acoustic rating is Rw 35 and our wind rating is N4. See below copy of WERS entry, 4/12argon/4 = Uw 3.4 which is the most energy efficient aluminium window in WERS. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ "ECOECO" Double Glazing in Aluminium & Thermally Broken Aluminium Replacement Window Experts Including Installation (Melb) Tel. 1800 326 326 We just bought a 1968 house in pretty much original condition. The aluminium sliding Windows are in very poor condition and we'll need to replace them with double glazing.… 0 499 WA is a different market, where frames are installed with brick ties and bricked around during construction. Added to that, the render is a major complication. Get… 1 1018 ![]() Maybe just new unit & replace or pull required parts off that? $43.50 delivered https://valet.com.au/products/product/vac-355 There is a few installation videos online… 1 3444 |