Window frames: aluminium vs timber vs uPVC
The window frame does more than hold the glass. How the three common frame materials compare on comfort, upkeep and looks for an SA or Victorian home.
Windows are where a lot of a home gains and loses comfort, and the frame material matters as much as the glass. In SA and Victoria you will mostly choose between aluminium, timber and uPVC frames. Each has a clear personality: one is everywhere and easy, one is beautiful but wants care, and one is quietly excellent for comfort. Here is how they stack up.
Aluminium: the easy default
Aluminium is on most new homes for good reason. It is affordable, strong, low maintenance and comes in every colour and style. The catch is that plain aluminium conducts heat and cold, so standard frames can feel cold, sweat with condensation in winter and drag on your energy rating. Thermally broken aluminium fixes much of this and is worth asking about.
Timber: warmth with upkeep
Timber frames bring a warmth and character that nothing else quite matches, and the material naturally insulates better than bare aluminium. The trade-off is maintenance: timber wants regular sealing or painting to stay weathertight, and it costs more with longer lead times. For a heritage or character home it is often worth it.
uPVC: quiet achiever for comfort
uPVC frames insulate very well, seal out draughts and noise, and pair naturally with double glazing, which makes them a strong pick if comfort and energy performance are your priority. They are less common than aluminium and come in fewer colours with chunkier frames, so choose a reputable system and weigh the look against the performance.
Aluminium
- The standard, widely available and affordable
- Slim, strong, modern sightlines
- Very low maintenance
- Huge range of colours and styles
- Conducts heat and cold unless thermally broken
- Can feel cold and show condensation in winter
- Standard frames work against higher energy ratings
Timber
- Warm, premium look and feel
- Naturally insulates better than plain aluminium
- Suits heritage and character homes
- Can be repaired and refinished
- Needs regular sealing or painting
- Costs more and has longer lead times
- Can swell or move with weather if neglected
uPVC
- Excellent insulation, great for 7-star targets
- Low maintenance, never needs painting
- Good at sealing out draughts and noise
- Pairs naturally with double glazing
- Fewer suppliers than aluminium
- Limited colour range and bulkier frames
- Quality varies, so choose a reputable system
Aluminium is the easy, affordable all-rounder, and thermally broken versions close much of the comfort gap. Timber is the choice when looks and character lead and you accept the upkeep. uPVC is the quiet winner when comfort, quiet and energy performance matter most. Decide what you are optimising for, then match the frame to it.
Still weighing it up?
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Match me with 3 buildersCommon questions
Which window frame is best for energy efficiency?
uPVC generally insulates best and pairs naturally with double glazing, followed by timber. Plain aluminium is the weakest unless you choose a thermally broken version. Your NatHERS assessment shows how much the frame choice moves your rating.
Why do aluminium windows get condensation?
Aluminium conducts heat and cold, so in winter the frame gets cold and moisture in the room condenses on it. Thermally broken aluminium, timber or uPVC frames stay warmer and reduce condensation.
Are timber windows high maintenance?
They need more care than aluminium or uPVC, with regular sealing or painting to stay weathertight and looking good. Many owners accept that for the warmth and character timber brings, especially on heritage homes.
Is uPVC worth it in Australia?
If comfort, quiet and energy performance are priorities, uPVC is well worth considering, particularly with double glazing in cooler parts of Victoria. It is less common than aluminium here, so choose a reputable system.