Aluminum Clad Windows: The Perfect Wood Replacement Option

Wood is one of the oldest choices for window frames. Wood has been used to frame windows for many centuries, and it's always a classic choice. Wood looks warm and traditional; it's strong and readily available. It's also available in a huge variety of species, can be painted or stained in a rainbow of colors, and in the hands of a skilled carpenter, it can be transformed into almost anything you can imagine. 

However, wood also has drawbacks. Unprotected wood is also more susceptible to weather conditions such as rain and damp environments or scorching sun. Additionally, wood is also vulnerable to insects including beetles, ants, and termites. Preventing the presence of pests requires a lot more maintenance than something like PVC or fiberglass. 

In this article, we're going to take a closer look at a lesser-known wood window option: aluminum-clad wood windows. Let's dive right in. 

Understanding Aluminum Clad Windows

Before you can decide if aluminum-clad windows are right for your home or window replacement project, you first have to know what they are.

What Are Aluminum Clad Windows?

The biggest threats to a traditional wood window come from outside your home. Whether it's insects, rain or sun, the outside of your home will get the most exposure. Aluminum-clad windows were invented to offset those threats while still giving you all the appeal of wood inside your home. 

This is achieved by cladding or covering the outside of the wood window frame with a thin layer of aluminum. This is permanently bonded to the wood frame and provides a protective "skin" that can withstand the elements. 

On the outside of your home, you can choose from a rainbow of aluminum colors and finishes, but on the inside, you have the beauty of natural wood grain, so it really is the best of both worlds. 

Comparing Aluminum Clad and Full Wood Windows

If you love wood, you might think that full wood window frames are your only option. You might also not be sure that aluminum-clad wood windows are a good alternative. So it's worth looking at them side by side.

Aesthetic Appeal

Most people who prefer wood windows will say that they just love the warmth of traditional wood, and that's not something you can replicate easily. 

However, when you choose aluminum-clad wood windows, you still get that warmth and tradition inside your home, but with a sleek, modern, protective finish on the outside of your home. 

Since aluminum-clad wood windows also come with a wide variety of exterior aluminum cladding options and colors, you can still match them to the style and appearance of your home, and get the best of both worlds.

Durability and Maintenance

Both traditional wood windows and aluminum-clad wood windows have an expected lifespan of around 10-15 years. However, the difference in maintenance requirements is what really sets them apart.

While aluminum-clad windows require no exterior stripping, staining, or painting over their lifespan, wood windows will require this kind of maintenance at least every few years, depending on how harsh the environment is in which they are installed.

Since the interior of both of these types of windows is subject to much less battering by the weather, interior maintenance is about the same, and you would rarely need to repaint or stain your wood windows more than once or twice during their lifespan unless you want to change their appearance.

Cost Considerations

When it comes to cost, both wood and aluminum-clad wood windows are at the upper end of the cost spectrum and are actually quite similar in price. 

However, while you might not notice too much of a price difference upfront, you will save a considerable amount on maintenance if you opt for the aluminum-clad wood windows, which could add up quickly over the lifespan of your windows. 

Advantages of Aluminum Clad Windows

Enhanced Durability

The biggest advantage of aluminum-clad windows is that you still get the beauty of wood inside your home but still have enhanced durability on the exterior.

Because aluminum is a metal (and one that does not rust) it's much better equipped to stand up to the harsh impact of the weather. You never really realize just how much sun, rain and even marine environments can affect your home until you see the damage it can do to things like wood in just a few short years. 

Since aluminum clad windows are also color coated and have a protective coating over the color, you won't see that kind of damage year after year. 

Insects, including carpenter ants, termites and even some kinds of beetles are also a big threat to wood windows, and again, becuase there's a layer of super hard, super strong metal over your wood frames when you choose aluminum clad windows, there's much less chance that they will be able to set up home in your windows.

Low Maintenance

The biggest challenge in maintaining wood windows is always on the outside of your home. From painting and staining to resealing, wood windows just need more care and attention. 

But there's also the issue of cleaning to consider. 

While you can usually simply wipe your wood windows clean on the inside, once they're slightly weathered on the outside, that becomes a much bigger job. If it's been a while since they were painted or stained, it's even harder to keep them clean because the rougher surface traps dirt. 

On the other hand, aluminum clad wood windows are as easy to wipe clean outside as they are inside.

Energy Efficiency

Both wood windows and aluminum clad windows have similar energy efficiency properties, and a lot will depend on the design and manufacturing of the windows you choose. Design features like multiple panes, UV resistant glass and more will all have an impact on the energy efficiency and insulation of your windows, so always choose the best quality windows you can afford. 

Anything you spend on energy efficient windows upfront will have an impact on your utility bills for years to come, so you will recoup the money you spend, and have a more comfortable home! 

Versatility in Design

One of the biggest benefits of aluminum clad wood windows is that they look very much like wood, while having the benefit of metal on the outside of your home. 

Because the aluminum is a layer or skin on the outside of the frame, aluminum clad windows can be made in any style or design that you could make with all wood windows, and that means the range of design and style options are nearly endless. 

From traditional style windows to ultra-modern, there's something for everyone and every taste in aluminum-clad wood windows.

Common Concerns About Aluminum Clad Windows

Of course, choosing the right kind of windows for your new home or window replacement project is a huge decision, and you want to have all the facts. So let's look at some of the more common worries people have when weighing this choice.

Addressing Aesthetic Concerns

Many people who choose traditional wood windows do so because they just love the look of wood. So how aluminum clad windows affect that is one of their biggest concerns. 

On the inside of your home, you won't be able to tell the difference between wood window frames and aluminum-clad wood window frames. So you can still enjoy the traditional charm and warmth of wood. 

On the outside of your home, your windows will have a sleek finish, thanks to the aluminum cladding, and you can choose a color that complements your home's design. 

But because aluminum-clad windows never look weathered or worn out, you can be sure your home will always look well-maintained.

Longevity and Wear

Aluminum-clad windows and traditional wood windows have a similar lifespan, but a lot depends on the quality of the windows you buy, and how well you maintain them. 

Aluminum-clad windows don't require much maintenance, so you can expect to have at least 10 to 15 years of trouble-free life from them even if you do nothing after you install them. Wood windows, on the other hand, will require maintenance and refinishing every few years if you want them to deliver their anticipated lifespan. 

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Wood and aluminum-clad windows aren't that different in price. They're both more expensive than PVC or fiberglass windows.

However, while a high-quality aluminum-clad window might cost a little more upfront, it won't require the same kind of maintenance as a wood window, so you need to factor that lifespan cost into any calculation.

Lower maintenance windows are also a selling point on any home, so if you ever plan to sell, choosing a durable and maintenance-free window will probably increase the selling price you can expect.

Why Homeowners Choose Aluminum Clad Over Full Wood Windows

Now that you know the basic differences between aluminum-clad and wood windows, it's time to look at what might swing your decision one way or the other.

Practical Considerations

These days, most of us want our homes to be as maintenance-free as possible. We choose vinyl fences, hardscaping, and easy-to-clean concrete patios over more traditional options because they don't require the same maintenance investment in terms of time or money. 

The choice between full wood windows and aluminum-clad windows is much the same.

Environmental Impact

Modern full-wood windows are made of sustainable woods, but so are aluminum-clad windows, so in that way, they're very similar in terms of environmental friendliness.

Both are better than PVC or fiberglass because they are made from fully biodegradable and recyclable materials, which means they'll never end up in a landfill. 

The biggest environmental difference between full wood and aluminum-clad windows is that aluminum-clad windows don't require staining or painting, so there's no chance of getting harmful chemicals in the groundwater or elsewhere during routine maintenance.

As for energy efficiency, choosing a good quality, well-designed, well-insulated version of either of these types of windows is good for the environment and your wallet. 

Aesthetic Flexibility

Both aluminum-clad and full-wood windows are some of the most flexible options in terms of styles and designs available.

Aluminum clad has the added benefit of offering a different finish inside your home and on the exterior, and with a rainbow of corrosion and UV-resistant colors available, there's something for every design style and taste. 

Conclusion

In modern construction, we're always looking for the best of both worlds. Something that marries tradition with modern materials and design. Aluminum-clad windows look like wood on the inside and look sleek and contemporary on the outside, so you get all the warmth of wood where you want it, and a modern, maintenance-free option on the exterior of your home. 

A low-maintenance window will decrease your maintenance costs over time, increase your utility bill savings, and increase the value of your home. So in those three key areas, aluminum-clad windows really do check all the boxes. 

Final Recommendations

Choosing a newer type of window for your new home or window replacement project can be a little daunting, but in every way that matters, aluminum-clad wood windows have proven themselves for quite a long time already. 

They're the perfect choice for people who really like the look of wood and want to live with wood windows in their home but don't want the hard work and expense of maintaining them on the outside. 

Since the cost of these two kinds of windows and their durability are often so close, it's well worth considering as an option for your project.