While all shapes and forms of windows are available in both materials, vinyl windows have the unique ability to be formed into realistic wood patterns. Aluminum frames can be coated, but this 2D treatment can look unrealistic and fades over time. 

Since vinyl is plastic and not metal, it cannot dent and doesnt corrode when exposed to the elements. As pro #1 mentioned, the colour in vinyl is built-in and is very unlikely to fade over time. 

Vinyl windows require no maintance, unless they were installed incorrectly. To be sure no maintance is needed, have a professional install your windows. Aluminum frames require cleaning with a special solvent to prevent rust and condensation. Additionally, aluminium's coating will wear off and require repainting. Vinyl frames will never require re-painting. 

Metal conducts heat better than plastic. For electronics this is a great thing. But for energy-efficient windows, it is not. Vinyl frames do not heat up or cool down nearly as much as aluminum frames do. If you need maxiumum energy-efficiency our Energy-Star certified windows can lower your energy bill by up to 12%!

Overall vinyl windows will cost you less than aluminum. This is due to the simple fact that plastic is cheaper than metal. Considering the energy-efficiency of vinyl, the windows will pay for themselves in your energy bill!

For the average to larger size residential window, vinyl is perfectly strong enough. It is only for  extremely large commerical windows where aluminum should be considered. The only time that aluminum frames are used in residential builds are in hurricane-prone places, which Ontario is not!

Certifications such as the National Fenestration Rating Council®, National Accreditation & Management Institute® and ENERGY STAR® show that a window has met important performance requirements. These certifications are important and intended to provide unbiased facts that homeowners can use to evaluate different window products.

However, when shopping for windows, don’t accept a verbal promise that a company’s windows are certified. Ask to see a copy or documentation of the certification and make sure each window you are planning on purchasing has a certification label affixed to it.

Unfortunately, some companies will test a modified window for a “high performance” label, but unless the window you purchase has the certification label attached to it, it isn’t certified and may not be the same window that was represented during the sale. 

1. This is the name or logo of the window manufacturer.

2. Look for this label for assurance that this window has been independently rated using a procedure established by the NFRC. Although other labels may be present, the NFRC label is your best source of energy performance information.

3. The NFRC rating is a numerical value which represents the applicable energy performance characteristic. Residential (or "AA”) and Non-Residential (or “BB”) are NFRC size designations. Representative test sizes are compared among different manufacturers.

4. U-factor is a measure of heat transfer by the entire window (frame, sash and glass), either into or out of the building. A smaller U-factor will provide a window which is more comfortable to sit next to on cold days. Try to purchase a window with the lowest U-Factor.

5. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) is a measure of the solar energy entering the building through the entire window. A lower SHGC will reduce air conditioning costs and provide a more comfortable window to sit next to on hot days.

6. Visible Light Transmission (VLT) is a measure of the amount of visible light entering through the window. This measurement is not a percentage, but rather a rating between 0 and 1 with zero blocking out visible light and one allowing all visible light to enter the room. (A double pane of clear insulated glass has a VLT of .59)

7. This is the manufacturer’s description of the labeled product.

The National Accreditation & Management Institute label certifies the window has passed all structural performance tests conforming to NFRC and AAMA standards, including forced-entry resistance, resistance to air infiltration, resistance to water infiltration and design pressure

For more information on rating systems, visit https://www.nfrc.org/energy-performance-label/

Or, you can view a factsheet PDF https://www.nfrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Energy_Performance_Label_Zone_Official.pdf