uPVC or Aluminium Windows? A Guide for Trafford &

By Hale Windows And Doors. Published 19 October 2026. 6 minute read.

Short answer: For most period homes, terraces and family semis in Trafford, uPVC is the better-value choice: it is warm, low-maintenance and comes in traditional styles such as flush casements and sliding sashes. Aluminium is worth the extra cost on modern or remodelled homes, large openings and bifold or sliding doors, because its slim, strong frames let in more light. Many homes use both: uPVC at the front and aluminium at the back.

We supply and fit both uPVC and aluminium windows, so we have no reason to push you one way. This is the honest version of the conversation we have at most surveys in Hale, Altrincham, Sale, Wilmslow and the rest of our area.

Quick comparison

	uPVC	Aluminium
Look	Traditional and versatile; flush and sash styles copy timber well	Slim, modern frames with larger panes of glass
Warmth	Excellent; multi-chambered frames insulate naturally	Very good with modern thermally broken frames
Strength	Good for normal window sizes	Very strong; best for wide spans, bifolds and sliding doors
Colours	White, cream, greys, black and woodgrain foils	Almost any colour, powder-coated; dual colour common
Maintenance	Wipe clean; no painting	Wipe clean; no painting
Typical lifespan	Around 25 to 35 years	Often 40 years or more
Cost	Lower	Higher for the same opening

When uPVC is the right choice

uPVC suits the majority of homes we see. It is the obvious choice when:

You want a traditional look. Flush casement windows sit flat in the frame like old timber casements, and sliding sash windows copy Victorian and Edwardian sashes, with run-through horns and glazing bars. These matter in conservation areas such as Hale Station, Bowdon and The Downs in Altrincham, where the council expects a like-for-like look.
Value matters. For a whole-house replacement on a three- or four-bedroom semi in Timperley, Sale or Cheadle Hulme, uPVC usually gives the best balance of warmth, security and cost.
The windows are a normal size. Most casement and bay windows are well within what uPVC handles comfortably.

Modern uPVC is nothing like the yellowing white frames of the 1980s. Woodgrain foils, cream and grey finishes, and slimmer profiles mean a uPVC window can sit happily on a period house.

When aluminium is worth it

Aluminium earns its higher price in a few clear situations:

Big openings. Bifold doors, large sliding doors and wide picture windows need the strength of aluminium. That is why most rear extensions in Hale Barns, Bowdon and Wilmslow end up with aluminium bifolds or sliders.
Modern and remodelled homes. On a rebuilt or contemporary house, slim anthracite or black frames give the clean look the architecture needs.
Maximum light. Thinner frames mean more glass, which matters on north-facing rooms and homes with deep plans.
Steel-look windows. Slim aluminium is a popular, warmer alternative to steel for 1930s and Art Deco houses, such as some in Pownall Park in Wilmslow.

Today's aluminium windows use a thermal break, an insulating barrier inside the frame, so they are no longer cold or prone to condensation in the way old aluminium was.

Using both on one house

You do not have to choose one material for the whole house. A very common approach in our area is uPVC sash or flush casement windows on the front, where the street sees them and the conservation rules apply, and aluminium bifolds or a sliding door on the back, where the extension opens onto the garden. With colour matching, for example anthracite grey on both, the house still looks consistent.

Which suits your type of home?

Victorian and Edwardian terraces and houses (Altrincham, Bowdon, Sale, Didsbury, Cheadle): uPVC sliding sashes or flush casements at the front; aluminium for a rear extension.
1930s semis (Timperley, Sale Moor, Heald Green, Bramhall): uPVC casements, made to fit the original bays, with a composite front door.
Post-war and 1960s to 1980s homes (Poynton, Handforth, Heald Green): uPVC casements in white, grey or woodgrain; consider aluminium for patio doors.
Large detached and rebuilt homes (Hale Barns, Prestbury, Alderley Edge): aluminium windows and doors throughout, or a mix.
Cottages and barn conversions (around Prestbury, Knutsford and Alderley Edge): uPVC flush casements in heritage colours for cottages; dark aluminium for large barn openings.

Questions to ask any installer

What U-value or energy rating do the windows achieve? (Replacement windows must meet at least 1.4 W/m²K.)
Who makes the windows, and who fits them? Are any fitters subcontracted?
What does the guarantee cover, for how long, and is it in writing?
Can I see samples of the frame profile and colour at my house?

We supply our windows and doors, fit them with our own team, and guarantee every installation for 15 years. At your free survey we can show you uPVC and aluminium samples side by side and price both, so you can decide with real numbers.

Frequently asked questions

Is aluminium warmer than uPVC?

Not usually. Both can meet current Building Regulations comfortably. uPVC insulates well by nature, while aluminium relies on a thermal break inside the frame. For the same glass, a good uPVC window is often slightly warmer, but the difference is small compared with the glass specification.

How much more does aluminium cost than uPVC?

Aluminium costs more than uPVC for the same opening, and the gap is largest on standard windows. On bifolds and large sliding doors, aluminium is often the only sensible option. We price both at your survey so you can compare.

Can I have uPVC windows in a conservation area?

Often, yes, if your home is a house that is not listed or covered by an Article 4 direction, and the new windows look similar to the old ones. Our guide to planning permission in Hale explains the rules.

Which lasts longer, uPVC or aluminium?

Aluminium frames typically last longer, often 40 years or more, compared with around 25 to 35 years for uPVC. Both need little more than cleaning and an occasional drop of oil on the hinges and locks.

Can I mix uPVC and aluminium on the same house?

Yes, and it is very common: uPVC windows at the front and aluminium bifold or sliding doors at the back, in matching colours.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Planning rules change, so always check your own address with the council before you order.

Last updated: 18 October 2026

uPVC or aluminium windows: which is right for your Trafford or Cheshire home?

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