Explore aluminium vs uPVC windows for trade installers. Discover which performs best for fitting ease, profits, and customer satisfaction.
What You’ll Learn:
- How aluminium windows are reshaping the trade market
- Why uPVC remains the installer’s dependable choice
- The key fitting differences between aluminium and uPVC systems
- How combining both materials boosts trade profits
(Estimated Reading Time: 4-5 Minutes)
Why This Topic Matters
Every fitter in the UK knows uPVC windows like the back of their hand. You’ve fitted them a thousand times. They’re reliable, affordable, easy to work with, and they make customers happy. But lately, there’s a new conversation happening on-site and in the showroom — Aluminium Windows
Aluminium isn’t just for commercial builds anymore. It’s the modern homeowner’s statement choice — slimmer, sleeker, and often more profitable if you know how to sell it. For installers, the question isn’t “Should I fit aluminium?” anymore — it’s “How can I use aluminium to win more business and get ahead of the competition?”
Let’s break down the aluminium vs uPVC landscape from the installer’s perspective, using three filters that really matter:
- The Fitter’s Angle
- Customer Satisfaction
- The Money Maker
And by the end, we’ll show you why carrying both options from The Trade Village is the smart play — not just for variety, but for competitive edge.
Aluminium Windows – A Growing Opportunity
For years, aluminium windows were seen as a luxury add-on — something only specified on high-end architect-designed projects. That’s no longer true.
Thanks to systems like Smart Aluminium, Smart Heritage, and Cortizo, aluminium windows are now more accessible to the trade than ever. They’re slimmer, warmer, easier to install, and — crucially — available from The Trade Village in stock colours within 10 working days. That means you can confidently quote, order, and fit on time without waiting months for bespoke builds.
What’s driving the trend?
- Slim sightlines and sleek design – homeowners are obsessed with the “architectural look.”
- Colour flexibility – aluminium frames can be finished in over 200 RAL colours, textured, metallic, or even anodised.
- Durability – marine-grade coatings, no warping, no discolouration, no swelling.
In other words, aluminium is now an installer-friendly, customer-pleasing, profit-building upgrade.
uPVC Windows – Still the Bread and Butter
Let’s be real — uPVC still pays the bills. Systems like Eurocell and Deceuninck Heritage have been perfected over decades. They’re A-rated as standard, cost-effective, and easy to fit. Most installers can glaze, square, and sign off a full house of uPVC windows without breaking stride.
From a trade perspective, uPVC is the dependable daily driver — simple to fabricate, quick to fit, low-cost to buy, and high on homeowner satisfaction.
Customers still love them too, especially:
- Energy efficiency – they’re built for compliance.
- Low maintenance – wipe clean, no painting, no corrosion.
- Heritage style – the Deceuninck Flush Sash range looks like timber but fits like plastic.
So if you’re thinking uPVC is done, think again. It’s not going anywhere — but the smart installers are pairing it with aluminium to give customers options.
The Fitter’s Angle – How They Really Fit on Site
Aluminium – Faster and Smarter Than Ever
The big shift in aluminium has been ease of installation. Systems like Smart Alitherm 400 feature Quick-Glaze tap-in beads — no wedge gaskets to cut, no wrestling on site. You simply tap the beads in and move on to the next opening.
The Cortizo range also includes clever touches like adjustable jambs and heavy-duty sashes that stay square under load. Even large openings feel solid once installed.
Add to that:
- Factory-prepped sashes that save you hours of fiddling.
- Integrated cills and thresholds for cleaner finishes.
- Fewer post-install call-backs — because once aluminium’s in, it stays put.
In short, aluminium used to be fiddly. Now, it’s often faster than old-school uPVC once you’ve got the hang of the system.
uPVC – Familiar and Foolproof
If you’ve been fitting windows for years, you already know the rhythm of uPVC. The Eurocell and Deceuninck systems fit exactly as you expect. They’re forgiving, flexible, and available in stock colours for short lead times.
What’s more, with flush sash uPVC, you can achieve a near-aluminium aesthetic while keeping the same easy fitting process. It’s a win-win when the job doesn’t call for metal but the client wants a modern look.
Customer Satisfaction – What the Homeowner Actually Notices
Aluminium – The Premium Look That Sells Itself
Homeowners are savvy now. They scroll Instagram and Pinterest before they even call you. They know what “steel-look” windows are. They ask for “those thin-framed ones like on Grand Designs.”
That’s your cue.
Smart Heritage aluminium windows deliver exactly that — authentic steel-look glazing bars, ultra-slim profiles, and industrial styling. For homeowners upgrading from standard uPVC, the visual difference is night and day.
Meanwhile, Cortizo aluminium windows offer performance to match — U-values down to 1.0 W/m²K with triple glazing and marine-grade finishes as standard.
So when you pitch aluminium, you’re not just selling a window — you’re selling the upgrade. It’s not just function; it’s lifestyle.
uPVC – Comfort, Value, and Consistency
That said, never underestimate how much homeowners appreciate peace of mind. uPVC is still the go-to for:
- Family homes where energy bills are the focus.
- Traditional properties needing colour-matched or woodgrain finishes.
- Quick-turn renovation jobs where cost and lead time matter most.
The Deceuninck Heritage Flush Sash is particularly strong for this. It keeps the charm of traditional timber with none of the maintenance. Add colour foils and you’ve got a uPVC system that doesn’t feel “plastic” at all.
For many customers, that’s the perfect middle ground — affordability and aesthetics wrapped up in one.
The Money Maker – Where Profit Really Lies
Here’s the truth: both aluminium and uPVC make money — just in different ways.
Aluminium = Higher Ticket, Higher Margin
When you introduce aluminium into your portfolio, you unlock a different type of client. These are the ones upgrading their entire rear elevation, investing in bifolds, sliders, and matching windows. They expect to pay more — and they’re happy to if it means a cleaner look.
Because The Trade Village supplies Smart and Cortizo aluminium systems directly from leading manufacturers, your trade price stays competitive while your sell price holds strong. That gap — that’s your margin.
Plus, offering aluminium makes you stand out. If your competitors are still quoting plastic-only, you become the “go-to installer for modern homes.”
uPVC = Consistent Volume and Predictable Cashflow
Then there’s the bread and butter. Standard uPVC jobs keep your diary full. You know your costs, your fitting times, and your profit on every frame.
With The Trade Village’s Eurocell range offering A-rated performance as standard and fast delivery, you can churn jobs confidently and keep turnover steady.
Even better, many installers use uPVC to open the conversation — then upsell aluminium for the showpiece areas (front elevations, feature windows, or garden-facing rooms). That’s how you stack the profit.
The Trade Village Advantage – Backing You to Win More Jobs
Whether it’s aluminium or uPVC, The Trade Village is built around making installers’ lives easier:
- Nationwide delivery and quick turnarounds.
- 24/7 online ordering and instant quoting tools.
- Dedicated account managers who understand trade pressures.
- Volume discounts shared directly with fitters.
You focus on fitting. They handle the rest.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not Aluminium or uPVC – It’s Aluminium and uPVC
There’s no right or wrong answer here. Both materials serve their purpose. The key is versatility — knowing when to recommend which and being able to quote both confidently.
- uPVC keeps your pipeline stable and your customers satisfied.
- Aluminium helps you stand out, charge more, and grow faster.
Smart installers are diversifying. They’re fitting Eurocell and Deceuninck on everyday jobs, and Smart and Cortizo aluminium on premium ones — all supplied by The Trade Village.
That’s not just smart; that’s future-proofing your business.
Ready to Upgrade Your Offering?
- Explore Aluminium Windows from The Trade Village
- Browse uPVC Windows & Doors
- Discover Heritage & Steel-Look Windows
✅ Open an account today and gain access to trade-beating pricing
✅ Explore our product ranges to see how we can support your business
✅ Bring your clients to our showroom and close more sales
This is why more fenestration companies are choosing The Trade Village
FAQs
1. Are aluminium windows better than uPVC for installers?
Aluminium windows offer higher margins, faster modern fitting systems, and premium appeal — ideal for trade professionals expanding into higher-end projects.
2. Why do some fitters still prefer uPVC windows?
uPVC remains popular because it’s affordable, easy to install, and delivers reliable energy efficiency and customer satisfaction.
3. Do aluminium windows cost more than uPVC?
Yes, aluminium is more expensive upfront but offers longer lifespan, modern aesthetics, and stronger profit potential for trade installers.
4. Which is easier to install — aluminium or uPVC?
Modern aluminium systems like Smart and Cortizo now rival uPVC for ease of fitting, thanks to quick-glaze beads and pre-prepped frames.
5. Should I offer both aluminium and uPVC to customers?
Absolutely. Offering both lets you cater to every budget and design need — keeping you competitive and flexible as a trade installer.