Replies

1. Expert Member
   BILL WICHERS | Mar 18, 2019 10:18pm | #1

   I can’t say I have a lot of comparative experience with Windows specifically, but I do have experience with these materials where they’ll be exposed to salt spray. Aluminum is severely degraded by salt spray. In the commerical systems I see, exposed aluminum antennas often require a protective coating near the coast to keep them from rotting in the salt spray. I would expect an aluminum window to do the same if there is any damage or wear at all to the finish.

   Vinyl doesn’t care about salt spray. Neither does fiberglass. Both will likely hold up better over time in an environment where salt spray is a concern.

   Bill

1. 
   Real_Trevor | Mar 20, 2019 10:32am | #6

   Zephyr, thanks very much for taking the time to reply to my question. Answered and sorted. Viny is teh way to go.

2. 
   Peter Yost | Mar 19, 2019 01:04pm | #2

   Aluminum in windows is typically protected by a coating so that can be important to know about aluminum windows in "beach" or coastal environments:

   https://www.constructionspecifier.com/selecting-aluminum-finishes-for-coastal-areas/2/

   But in doing a quick bit of online research, interesting what it says here, from Milgard:

   "Aluminum is not recommended in beach homes for while the material is water resistant, it can suffer corrosion from salt water and salt air. The corrosion affects hardware operation and frame performance." - https://www.milgard.com/materials/aluminum

   Peter

1. 
   Real_Trevor | Mar 20, 2019 10:34am | #7

   Thanks very much Peter for the references and the response. Aluminum is certainly high in the galvanic series. Also interesting to note that Milgard do not recommend alu near the coast.

3. Expert Member
   MALCOLM TAYLOR | Mar 19, 2019 02:13pm | #3

   Russell,

   I build north of Sooke. The pre-finished aluminium windows I've put in on coastal projects deteriorated quite quickly. The vinyl ones cope a lot better.

1. 
   Real_Trevor | Mar 20, 2019 10:34am | #8

   Hi Malcolm. Thanks a lot for the response. Yours sort of clinched the deal for vinyl.

4. 
   user-2642926 | Mar 19, 2019 05:52pm | #4

   I have aluminum windows on my home. If I recall correctly, the manufacturer recommended a Kynar finish for anyone within a couple miles of the ocean. Fortunately my location wasn't that close.

   I do wish I would have researched windows further before committing to them, but I know I wouldn't personally want vinyl since they can't be painted - at least not easily, and probably not reliably - and I wouldn't like to have bright white window frames. But if that's good for you, they certainly tip the cost / benefit analysis quite favorably.

1. Expert Member
   MALCOLM TAYLOR | Mar 19, 2019 07:04pm | #5

   Mike,

   Almost all manufacturers of vinyl windows now offer a coloured finish on the exterior, and increasingly some now offer it (even in black) on the interior too.

1. 
   Real_Trevor | Mar 20, 2019 10:38am | #10

   Hi Malcolm. I appreciate your input. We are now going with vinyl and a coloured finish.

2. 
   Real_Trevor | Mar 20, 2019 10:37am | #9

   Thanks a lot Mike for taking the time to reply to my question. Decided to not go the aluminum route, even with a finish on the outside. For research, this question area is certainly excellent.