Aluminium vs uPVC vs Wooden Windows: Which One Should You Choose in Delhi NCR? (The 2025 Expert Comparison)

For homeowners in the Delhi NCR, choosing a window material is one of the most consequential decisions for comfort, energy bills, and long-term home value. The material dictates how well your home withstands the region's climate challenges: searing summers, chilly winters, pervasive dust, and intense noise pollution.

The primary contenders in the Indian market today are: Aluminium, uPVC (unplasticized polyvinyl chloride), and Wood. Each material has evolved significantly. This 2025 guide provides an expert comparison to help you choose the best windows for your specific needs.

Performance Comparison: Suitability for Delhi's Extreme Weather

Delhi's dramatic temperature swings and environmental stressors require a material that is tough, stable, and highly insulating.

The Delhi Climate Test: Heat, Dust, and Humidity:

Feature	Aluminium (High-Performance)	uPVC (Standard Grade)	Wood (Treated Hardwood)
Thermal Insulation	Good (Excellent with Thermal Break technology)	Excellent (Naturally low thermal conductor)	Good (Natural insulator, but seal degrades)
Durability & Strength	Superior (Best for large glass spans and high wind loads)	Good (Can flex on large spans; requires steel reinforcement)	Moderate (Strong when new, but susceptible to warping/rot)
Airtightness	Excellent (Achieved via precision fabrication and EPDM gaskets)	Excellent (Achieved via multi-chamber design and good seals)	Poor to Moderate (Prone to expanding/shrinking, creating gaps)
Corrosion/UV Resistance	Excellent (Powder coating ensures decades of rust-free use)	Very Good (Resistant to rust; can yellow or become brittle over decades of intense UV exposure)	Poor (Requires constant chemical treatment and painting/polishing)
Fire Resistance	Superior (Non-combustible with high melting point)	Good (Self-extinguishing; releases toxic fumes at high heat)	Poor (Highly combustible)

Technical Comparison: Aluminium vs uPVC vs Wood

Structural Integrity and Design Flexibility

The core difference between the modern contenders lies in their structural characteristics, which dictates the aesthetic possible in your home.

Aluminium Windows: The Architect's Choice

Modern architectural aluminium, like the systems fabricated by AluTown, is designed for strength. Aluminium's superior strength-to-weight ratio is its key advantage.

• Pros:

  • Slim Sightlines: Allows for minimal frames and maximum glass area, defining modern window designs.

  • Large Spans: Unmatched ability to support vast, floor-to-ceiling glass panels and heavy Double Glazed Units (DGU).

  • Longevity: Does not warp, swell, crack, or rot.

• Cons:

  • Thermal Conductivity: Requires the addition of a Thermal Break (a non-metallic barrier) to achieve high-performance insulation, adding to the cost.

uPVC Windows: The Insulator

uPVC's main benefit is that it is a naturally poor conductor of heat. Its frames are constructed with multiple internal chambers that trap air, maximizing thermal insulation.

• Pros:

  • High Thermal Insulation: Excellent natural barrier against heat and cold, contributing to lower energy bills.

  • Affordability: Generally the lowest initial cost among the three options.

  • Waterproof: Does not absorb moisture and resists corrosion completely.

    
    

• Cons:

  • Bulkier Frames: To achieve necessary strength, uPVC profiles are thicker than aluminium, resulting in less glass area and a less sleek aesthetic.

  • Structural Limits: Not ideal for extremely large spans or high wind load environments typical of high-rise Delhi apartments.

  • Aesthetic Limitations: While available in finishes, it cannot replicate the true, sleek metallic finish of aluminium.

Wooden Windows: The Traditional Appeal

Wood, typically treated hardwood in India, offers a timeless, warm aesthetic that is irreplaceable for heritage or specific traditional designs.

• Pros:

  • Aesthetics: Provides natural beauty and warmth, often preferred for traditional homes.

  • Natural Insulation: Wood is a natural insulator, both acoustically and thermally.

    
    

• Cons:

  • High Maintenance: Requires continuous maintenance—polishing, re-painting, and treating for termites and moisture—which significantly increases the lifetime cost.

  • Warping and Rot: Susceptible to swelling in humidity and warping over time, which compromises the airtight seal.

  • Costly: High-quality, treated wood is often the most expensive option initially and over the long term.

aluminium vs upvc vs Wood

Cost and Long-Term Value Comparison (Delhi NCR)

The "cheapest" window often becomes the most expensive over time when accounting for maintenance, poor energy efficiency, and replacement costs.

Estimated Price and Lifetime Cost Analysis

Factor	Aluminium (High-Grade)	uPVC (Standard)	Wood (Treated Hardwood)
Initial Cost (Per Sq. Ft.)	Moderate to High (₹650 – ₹1,800+)	Low to Moderate (₹450 – ₹900)	High (₹800 – ₹2,500+)
Maintenance Cost	Very Low (Occasional cleaning/lubrication)	Very Low (Cleaning only)	Very High (Yearly polishing/painting/termite treatment)
Lifespan (Average)	50+ years	25 – 35 years	30 – 60 years (with excellent maintenance)
Energy Savings	High (With Thermal Break and DGU)	High (With multi-chamber design and DGU)	Moderate (Only if seals are perfectly maintained)
Recyclability	100% Recyclable	Recyclable (But more complex process)	Can be reused or composted

Note: Prices are approximate market rates in the Delhi NCR for comparison and may vary based on glass type (single vs. DGU) and hardware.

Maintenance and Security Guide

Effort vs. Longevity: Your Maintenance Commitment

Material	Maintenance Required	Security Features
Aluminium	Wipe clean. Lubricate moving parts (rollers/hinges) annually. No painting or treatment needed.	Extremely rigid and strong. Supports advanced multi-point locking mechanisms and toughened/laminated glass effortlessly.
uPVC	Simple wipe-down cleaning. Check seals periodically. Cannot be painted. Minor surface scratches may require specialist repair.	Strong resistance to forced entry when reinforced with steel. Excellent compatibility with modern locking hardware.
Wood	Essential annual maintenance: sanding, repainting/re-polishing, and termite/moisture treatment. Prone to surface damage and wear.	Security relies heavily on the quality of wood and the installation of the locking hardware. Can be breached if the wood structure decays.

Final Expert Recommendation for Delhi NCR Homes (2025)

The right choice depends entirely on your priority: budget, aesthetics, or ultimate long-term performance.

Choose Premium Aluminium (AluTown) If:

• Your Priority is Aesthetics & Views: You demand ultra-slim frames, expansive glass panels, and the sleek, modern aesthetic of contemporary architecture.

• Your Priority is Longevity & Strength: You live in a high-rise, need large sliding doors, or want a material that will not warp or degrade over 50+ years.

• You Demand High Performance: You are willing to invest in Thermal Break Aluminium and DGU/Laminated Glass to achieve both the slim look and superior insulation/soundproofing.

Choose uPVC If:

• Your Priority is Budget & Insulation: You are working with a tight budget but still need excellent thermal and acoustic insulation (especially in standard-sized openings).

• Your Home is Mid-Rise: You do not require the structural capacity for very large spans.

Choose Wood If:

• Your Priority is Heritage: You are renovating a heritage property or absolutely require the classic, traditional aesthetic, and are prepared for the high, continuous maintenance commitment.

Partner with the Aluminium Experts

At Shri Krishna Aluminium (Brand: AluTown), we specialize in high-performance, architecturally superior aluminium windows and door systems. We believe that with the modern Thermal Break technology, aluminium offers the best long-term value, durability, and aesthetic versatility for the demanding Delhi NCR environment. We fabricate systems designed to deliver superior energy efficiency, security, and the minimalist look modern homeowners demand.

Contact us for a tailored consultation and a quote for your high-performance aluminium window system:

• Call/WhatsApp: +91 9350411266

• Visit our workshop: Shri Krishna Aluminium (AluTown), L-144 Ground Floor Vijay Vihar Phase II Delhi 110085

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Which material is best for soundproofing against Delhi traffic noise?

A: Both uPVC and high-performance aluminium (especially casement styles) can provide excellent soundproofing, but the key factor is the glazing. Laminated glass or high-quality DGU (Double Glazed Units) are essential, regardless of the frame material.

Q2: Does aluminium conduct heat badly in Delhi summers?

A: Standard aluminium conducts heat. However, modern, high-performance aluminium incorporates a Thermal Break—a non-metallic barrier—which drastically reduces heat transfer, making it thermally competitive with uPVC.

Q3: Is the initial cost of uPVC always lower than aluminium?

A: Typically, yes. Basic uPVC systems have a lower initial cost. However, a premium, steel-reinforced uPVC system with high-end hardware can cost as much as a mid-range, quality aluminium system. The total cost difference often shrinks when factoring in long-term energy savings and longevity.