“Should I go aluminium or UPVC?” is one of the first questions we hear at survey. Both materials have come a long way in the last decade, and the honest answer is that the right choice depends less on which is objectively better and more on what your property and your budget actually need.
Aluminium wins on sightlines. A modern aluminium frame can be as slim as 65mm and still meet Building Regulations for thermal performance — that's roughly half the visual frame of a UPVC equivalent. Aluminium also has effectively unlimited colour flexibility (over 900 RAL options on Reynaers), holds its finish for decades without repainting, and is structurally strong enough to span large openings without intermediate mullions.
UPVC wins on price and, increasingly, on heritage realism. Premium UPVC profile systems like Residence Collection (R2, R7, R9) and REHAU Artevo replicate 19th-century timber frame profiles convincingly enough that they pass conservation officer scrutiny on listed buildings. They're also cheaper than aluminium by a meaningful margin — often 30–40% on a like-for-like project — without compromising on multi-point locking or PAS 24 security.
Our usual recommendation: aluminium for new builds, contemporary extensions and large-format openings; premium UPVC for replacement projects on Edwardian, Victorian or Georgian properties where heritage profile matters more than ultra-slim sightlines. Mixed installations — aluminium at the rear, UPVC at the front — are common and entirely legitimate.
If you'd like a no-obligation consultation on which material fits your project, give us a call on 0151 428 3244 or arrange a survey. We'll bring physical samples of both to your property so you can see them in your light, against your walls.