Choosing between PVC and aluminium windows is one of the most important decisions when renovating your home or building a new one in Granada or Malaga. Both materials offer excellent performance, but they have significant differences worth understanding before making your decision.
In this comprehensive comparison guide, as official STRUGAL manufacturers of both aluminium and PVC windows, we analyse every aspect in depth: thermal and acoustic insulation, durability, maintenance, aesthetics, price, and sustainability. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision based on real data, not myths or commercial preferences.
At Tecnisun C.B., as official STRUGAL manufacturers of both window types, we offer impartial advice based on over 30 years of experience. We manufacture both materials in our Granada workshop, so we have no commercial preference for either.
PVC windows excel in thermal insulation thanks to their multi-chamber profile structure. With thermal transmittance values (Uw) from 0.8 W/m²K, PVC offers superior insulation that translates into significant energy savings in any home in Granada or Malaga.
The secret lies in the material itself: PVC is a polymer with a thermal conductivity of just 0.16 W/mK, compared to 160 W/mK for pure aluminium. That means aluminium conducts heat 1,000 times faster than PVC. This is why, even with thermal break (RPT), aluminium cannot fully match PVC's figures.
Aluminium with thermal break (RPT) has improved enormously, reaching Uw values of 1.2-1.6 W/m²K with STRUGAL S74RP and S88RP series. While it cannot match PVC in pure figures, it offers more than acceptable performance for the climate in Granada and Malaga.
For a 100 m² home in Granada city (climate zone C3), the difference between a Uw of 0.8 and 1.4 W/m²K can mean between 80 and 150 euros annually on the energy bill. This difference is especially noticeable during Granada's harsh winters, where night temperatures can drop below -5°C in January and February, and in summers exceeding 40°C.
In urban areas of Granada and Malaga, traffic noise, construction or nightlife can be a serious problem. Both PVC and aluminium RPT offer excellent acoustic performance, though PVC has a slight edge.
| Material | Typical sound reduction | With acoustic glass |
|---|---|---|
| STRUGAL PVC multi-chamber | 38-42 dB | Up to 47 dB |
| STRUGAL Aluminium S74RP | 35-39 dB | Up to 44 dB |
| Old aluminium without RPT | 15-22 dB | 25 dB max |
For reference: a 40 dB reduction means busy street noise (70 dB) is perceived indoors as a quiet library (30 dB). If you live near Granada's Gran Via, Malaga's Paseo del Parque or any bar district, investing in good acoustic insulation with PVC windows pays for itself in sleep quality and health.
Does not oxidise, never needs painting. Resists moisture and UV rays. Only requires occasional cleaning with soap and water. Lifespan: 50+ years without degradation.
10-year guarantee on lacquered finish. More resistant to impacts and deformation. Ideal for large dimensions. Lacquer may need touch-up after 25-30 years of intense sun exposure.
A common myth is that PVC yellows in the sun. Latest-generation STRUGAL profiles incorporate UV protection in the material mass and on the surface, guaranteeing colour stability for over 30 years even under Andalusia's intense solar radiation.
Here aluminium has a clear advantage. Its greater rigidity allows manufacturing windows of large dimensions with slimmer profiles. STRUGAL aluminium windows allow sliding leaves up to 3 metres wide and 2.8 metres high with just 22 mm visible profiles.
| Maximum dimension | PVC | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|
| Max width (casement) | 1,300 mm | 1,800 mm |
| Max height (casement) | 2,200 mm | 2,800 mm |
| Max width (sliding) | 2,000 mm | 3,000 mm |
| Max leaf weight | 80 kg | 400 kg |
Both materials offer extensive customisation. Aluminium leads with 200+ RAL colours, anodised finishes, and ultra-realistic wood effects. PVC offers 30+ laminated colours including excellent wood imitations. The popular two-tone option (white interior with anthracite or black exterior) is available in both materials but with virtually unlimited combinations in aluminium.
| Feature | STRUGAL PVC | STRUGAL Aluminium RPT |
|---|---|---|
| Standard window (1200x1200mm) | €380-520 | €520-750 |
| Price with installation | €480-650 | €650-900 |
| Thermal insulation (Uw) | 0.8-1.1 W/m²K | 1.2-1.6 W/m²K |
| Acoustic insulation | 38-47 dB | 35-44 dB |
| Finish variety | Good (30+ colours) | Excellent (200+ RAL) |
| Slim profiles | 60-80 mm | 40-65 mm (ultra-slim available) |
| Large dimensions | Limited (max ~2m wide) | Ideal (up to 3m+ wide) |
| Maintenance | Minimal | Minimal |
| Lifespan | 50+ years | 40-50 years (lacquer: 25-30) |
At Tecnisun we offer both options with the guarantee of in-house manufacturing and the option of purchase with or without installation, allowing you to further adjust your budget. Use our online price calculator for an instant personalised estimate.
Climate is a determining factor. Granada city has a continental Mediterranean climate (zone C3): cold winters with frequent frost (-5°C to 5°C at night in January) and very hot summers (35-42°C in July-August). The annual thermal range exceeds 45°C. In this context, PVC offers greater protection against extreme cold.
Malaga, with its coastal climate (zone A3), has mild winters (8-15°C) but equally hot summers, with high humidity and ambient salinity. Here aluminium with marine treatment may be preferable for its superior resistance to coastal corrosion, especially on the seafront.
STRUGAL aluminium windows offer the widest range of finishes: RAL lacquered (over 200 colours), anodised, wood imitation, and two-tone (different colour inside and outside). Their slimmer profiles allow thinner frames and greater glass surface area, creating a more minimalist, contemporary look.
PVC has evolved significantly in aesthetics. Today we offer laminated finishes in colours and very realistic wood imitation. However, profiles are somewhat thicker than aluminium. If minimalist aesthetics are your priority (ultra-slim profiles, large glass surfaces), aluminium is the choice. The two-tone option is especially popular in Granada and Malaga: white interior (luminosity, visual cleanliness) with anthracite grey RAL 7016 exterior (modern aesthetics, facade integration).
At Tecnisun C.B. we are official STRUGAL manufacturers of aluminium and PVC windows with over 30 years of experience. We help you choose the right windows for your home. Check our price calculator or request your free quote. You can also call us at 627 84 14 04.
See PVC windows →Can you combine PVC and aluminium in the same home?
Yes, and it is an increasingly popular strategy. Many clients choose PVC for bedrooms and interior areas (maximum insulation and silence) and aluminium for living rooms with large windows and terrace enclosures (aesthetics and large dimensions). At Tecnisun we manufacture both materials, so coordinating installation is straightforward.
Is it true that PVC yellows in the sun?
That was a problem with first-generation profiles from the 1980s-90s. Current STRUGAL profiles incorporate UV stabilisers in the material mass and surface co-extrusion protection, guaranteeing colour stability for 30+ years even under Andalusia's intense solar radiation.
Is aluminium without thermal break still sold?
It should not be. Since the 2022 CTE (Technical Building Code) update, aluminium windows without thermal break do not meet energy efficiency requirements for new construction or certified renovations. At Tecnisun we ONLY work with thermal break aluminium (STRUGAL S64RP, S74RP and S88RP series).
Both materials are 100% recyclable at end of life. However, there are important differences:
At Tecnisun we recycle 100% of offcuts from both materials at our Granada manufacturing workshop, contributing to the circular economy.
Choose PVC. Maximum thermal insulation is critical with winter temperatures reaching -10°C. Triple glazing recommended. Uw target: below 0.8 W/m²K.
Choose aluminium with Seaside treatment. Superior corrosion resistance against salt spray. Solar control glass essential. Slim profiles for modern coastal aesthetics.
Choose PVC for maximum acoustic insulation (up to 47 dB with acoustic glass). Ideal for homes near Granada's Gran Via or Malaga's nightlife districts.
Choose aluminium for large format, structural strength, and premium aesthetics. STRUGAL S160 Sliding for terrace enclosures and hospitality projects.
Even the best window performs poorly if installed incorrectly. Common installation errors include inadequate foam sealing (causing thermal bridges), incorrect shimming (leading to hardware misalignment), and poor waterproofing at the frame-wall junction. At Tecnisun, our own installation teams follow STRUGAL's official installation protocol, ensuring every window performs to its rated specifications. We also offer windows without installation for those with their own qualified installer.
At Tecnisun C.B. we manufacture both types with the same dedication and quality. We advise you at no obligation, visit your home to assess your real needs, and provide a comparative quote so you can decide with all the information on the table.
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