Project:

Relative Advantages and Disadvantages of

UPVC, Aluminum and Wooden
Doors/Windows
(Availability in Pakistan, Price, shall be also be included)
Group Name:

Asfandyar Khan
Hilal Ahmed
Abu-Bakar
Adil Shamal

Jun 2019

Deparment of Civil Engreering

Gandhara Institute of Science & Technology

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 Table of content

1 UPVC.......................................................................................................................................5

1.1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................5

1.2 Advantages Of UPVC Windows And Doors:...................................................................5

1.2.1 1: Durability:..............................................................................................................5

1.3 2: Ease Of Use And Maintenance:....................................................................................5

1.4 3: Sound Insulation:..........................................................................................................5

1.5 1: Thermal Insulation:.......................................................................................................5

1.5.1 1: Expensive:.............................................................................................................6

1.5.2 2: Availability.............................................................................................................6

2 Aluminum................................................................................................................................7

2.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................7

2.1.1 Advantages of Aluminum Windows and doors.........................................................7

2.2 1: Durability and Maintenance:.........................................................................................7

2.3 2: Thermal Performance:...................................................................................................7

2.4 3: Affordability:.................................................................................................................7

2.5 Disadvantages of Aluminum Windows And Doors..........................................................8

2.5.1 1: Appearance:...........................................................................................................8

2.5.2 2: Oxidation and Corrosion:......................................................................................8

2.5.3 3: Loses heat and Interior condensation:...................................................................8

3 WOOD...................................................................................................................................10

3.1 Introduction.....................................................................................................................10

3.2 Advantages......................................................................................................................10

3.3 Disadvantages:................................................................................................................10

4 PRICE:...................................................................................................................................12

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 4.1 Aluminum.......................................................................................................................12

4.2 UPVC..............................................................................................................................12

4.3 Wooden...........................................................................................................................12

5 AVAILABILITY IN PAKISTAN...........................................................................................14

5.1 UPVC:.............................................................................................................................14

5.2 ALUMINUM:.................................................................................................................14

5.3 WOODEN:......................................................................................................................14

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 List of Figures

Figure 0-1; UPVC Window...........................................................................................................6

Figure 0-2; UPVC Door.................................................................................................................6
Figure 2-1;Aluminum Window.....................................................................................................8
Figure 2-2;Aluminum Door..........................................................................................................9
Figure 3-1: Wood Windows.........................................................................................................11
Figure 3-2 Wood Door.................................................................................................................11

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 1 UPVC

1.1 INTRODUCTION
UPVC is stands for Unplastisized Poly Vinyl Chloride which is also known as rigid PVC as it is
hard and not flexible. UPVC products such as UPVC windows and doors are nowadays
commonly used in housing facilities as they are long lasting, durable and having good aesthetic
looks.

1.2 Advantages Of UPVC Windows And Doors:

1.2.1 1: Durability:
In comparison to conventional doors and windows UPVC windows and doors have better life
cycle. Since these products are temperature and termite resistant they outlast the traditional doors
by almost a complete lifetime of the wooden or aluminum doors used in traditional buildings.

1.3 2: Ease Of Use And Maintenance:

UPVC windows come with negligible maintenance. Since UPVC is not biodegradable, the doors
and windows will not have any fungal attacks. They are also very light in weight so they are easy
to carry and transport making it easy to use.

1.4 3: Sound Insulation:

UPVC windows provide very good sound insulation against noise pollution. It is advisable to use
UPVC windows for houses which are near Airports, Highways, temples, mosques etc., for sound
insulation.

1.5 1: Thermal Insulation:

UPVC windows provide very good thermal Insulation which leaves no space for increased
consumption of energy, be it for air conditioners or for heating machines.

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1.6 Disadvantages Of UPVC Window And Doors:
1.6.1 1: Expensive:
Sliding UPVC windows and doors are very expensive than traditional windows/doors. The cost
may be upto 2-3 times the cost of a typical aluminum 25mm series window

1.6.2 2: Availability
UPVC windows are not easily available in market as compare to traditional
windows.

Figure 0-1; UPVC Window

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Figure 0- 2; UPVC Door

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 2 Aluminum
2.1 Introduction
Aluminum doors are widely used in commercial properties for they are durable and add strength.
They reduce the chances of a door being breached or broken by burglars.

These doors appear to be a favorite choice with modern buildings, but they have their own share
of pros and cons.

2.2 Advantages of Aluminum Windows and doors.

2.3 1: Durability and Maintenance:
Aluminum windows and doors have an extremely long life while being highly resistant to
outside weather elements. Aluminum can be left in its finished condition and virtually
maintenance free due to its corrosion resistant and anti-rust properties. Furthermore, they are less
likely to warp, rot, swell, or crack over time, thus ensuring a long product life. They also do not
require any periodical or annual expenditure on paint or polish and can simply be wiped clean
with the help of a damp cloth.

2.4 2: Thermal Performance:

When combined with energy efficient glass, aluminum windows are able to meet or exceed
energy efficiency standards by providing excellent thermal and sound insulation thus easily
outperforming more expensive wood and UPVC counterparts. Aluminum windows can easily
achieve a significant boost in heat gain and loss through windows by nearly 60%. They are also
an environmentally sustainable material with one of the highest recycling rates of any metal.

2.5 3: Affordability:
Aluminum windows are significantly less expensive than wooden frames thus helping provide a
great economical alternative for both commercial and private use. Moreover, they are easy to
manufacture and the materials are quite affordable thus making it an ideal and cost effective
alternative for windows.

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2.6 Disadvantages of Aluminum Windows And Doors
2.6.1 1: Appearance:
Most people find that aluminum is far less attractive than wooden windows. Wood is
generally more aesthetically pleasing and tends to lend a more natural and refined look while
aluminum can look inferior. It must be said, however, that aluminum can be customized to match
any color or style.

2.6.2 2: Oxidation and Corrosion:

Oxidation is a natural phenomenon that occurs in aluminum that can cause aluminum frames to
rust over time. Aluminium windows will oxidize over a period time which appears as a white
residue formation and cavity. Additionally, if suitable measures to tackle electrolysis are not
taken, aluminium is also susceptible to corrosion.

2.6.3 3: Loses heat and Interior condensation:

Aluminum is a good thermal conductor which basically means that aluminum windows may not

work well in cold climates as heat will be lost through the frame. Additionally, aluminum
frames also permit for condensation or even frost to form on the interior surface of the window
which and can pose a whole range of issues.

Figure 2-3;Aluminum Window

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Figure 2-4;Aluminum Door

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 3 WOOD
3.1 Introduction
Wood is still most popular choice of material for construction of doors, windows and ventilators
because of ease of cutting, shaping and joinery with simple hand tools. There are so many
advantages and some disadvantages of installing the wooden door, window and ventilator frames
which are as under.

3.2 Advantages
Wood is bad conductor of heat and electricity so less prone to condensation.
Wooden frames give very good or attractive looks in the building.
They can provide any finish required by the architect.
Wooden frames can be painted or polished in any shade.
There is no problem of rusting in wooden frame.
The problems of joints with frame and masonry can easily be solved by fixing wooden beading
on the joints.
Maintenance of the wooden frames is easy and cheap.
They have long life if good quality timber is used.
In wooden frame addition and alteration can be done easily.
Wooden frames doors and windows are more resistance to air and wind than the metal frames as
they have minimum joint in frame and shutter.

3.3 Disadvantages:
The wooden frames are affected by termite and insects.
Cost of the good quality timber is very high. So they are costly than metal frames but cheap in
the comparison of aluminum frames.
Suppliers/contractors provide bad quality timber which has knots, rotten pieces and due to
these ;defects the frames destroy in a short time.
If season wood is not used than due to this there is twisting problems found in the wooden
frames.
The wooden frames are affected by the moisture.

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Figure 3-5: Wood Windows

Figure 3-6 Wood Door

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 4 PRICE:
4.1 Aluminum
Aluminum Section with sliding and fix panel in any brand/company in 1.2 gauge, all hardware
made
under the brand name “khaas”(local), natural section color (silver) and 5 mm plain clear glass
(Ghani or
Tariq float).
Cost with fixing labor complete around Rs 450 to 470/sqft
Cost with fixing labor complete around Rs 750 to 800/sqft

4.2 UPVC
Even the most economical UPVC window costs more than the best quality aluminum windows.
UPVC ismostly used for double glazed windows, a window that becomes sound, heat and dust
proof. It consists of special section and two glass sheets parallel to each other with vacuum gap
or argon gas filled in between. This type of window costs a minimum of 1500 to 2000 Rs/sqft.
Whereas a typical UPVC window with single glazed glass costs between 900 to 1200 Rs/sqft.
UPVC comes in natural white color with all imported hardware.

4.3 Wooden
Wooden doors and windows depend upon the quality of wood different wooden doors and
windows have different prices

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Types of Wood Price Duradility
Partal Rs 1300/cft 15 to 18 year

Kail Current price of Pakistani kail wood 30 to 35 year

in Lahore:
Rs 3000/cft

Current price of Imported kail wood

in Lahore:
Rs 1800 – Rs 2500/cft

Deodar Current price of Deodar/Diyar 40 to 50 year

wood in Lahore: Rs 6500/cft

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 5 AVAILABILITY IN PAKISTAN
5.1 UPVC:
In Pakistan it is not widely used because of it’s high price. But it has some benefits due to which
people prefer it. And it is available in Pakistan upto certain limit

5.2 ALUMINUM:
Now a days in Pakistan it is widely used because of it’s durability and it is available in large
quantity but it is costly.

UPVC sections are being imported in Pakistan from China and Europe in different qualities.
Quality of UPVC

5.3 WOODEN:
Windows and doors made from wood is mostly used in Pakistan as it is cheap and durable upto
certain limit. Pakistan has a wide variety of wood furniture including doors and windows. And it
is available in heavy quantity in Pakistan.

Some variety used in Pakistan

Partal , Kail , Yellow pine , Ash wood , Mohaagni , Diyar ,Meranti

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 6 Conclusion
So by selecting and observed so many different kind of door and windows we concluded that the
door, from wood are less expensive and easily avalible in market it is durable up to 20 to 40
year.These kind of door and windows can be easily install because in Pakistan the labour work
for installing the doors and windows are so good and so many it can be varnish easily with
different kinds of colours .

The best material for door and windows to be made is Diyar , Pine , Kial , Partal.

In Pakistan’s house construction industry, just like last 10 to 15 years that belong to the evolution
of tiles, same applies for aluminium windows. Aluminium windows have replaced all other type
of windows such as wooden or steel without any exceptions or conditions. These windows are
much more durable as compared to other conventional windows and do not require periodic
maintenance, are easy to install, economical and have aesthetic look. Aluminium windows can be
replaced anytime without any hassle as they only require dismantling by undoing the screws
whereas conventional steel windows are much more difficult to remove because of its grouting
with concrete.

Some of the most renowned companies manufacturing aluminium sections in Pakistan are:

Chawla

Alco

Prime

Metalife

GR

Pakistan are high standard UPVC windows. UPVC sections are being imported in Pakistan from
China and Europe in different qualities. Quality of UPVC section is measure by the width of its
section in millimetres(mm). Sections available are ranging in between 50 to 75 mm. Reason for
it not being used very commonly in Pakistan is its expensive cost. However it has many
advantages such as much more durable than aluminium, high quality imported hardware, smooth
operation both in slide and openable panels etc.

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