Why use Google when I can ask Scoobynet? :)

Pros or cons of these materials? One guy claimed that aluminium transmitted the cold a lot more, so he preferred uPVC.

I'm in Lisbon, so temperatures from +5C up to +40C, high humidity, and by the sea, so salty air. House is on a hillside, so exposed to winds and weather.

Currently have aluminium, but single glazed - I'll bin the lot and replace with double glazing.

Colour is not a problem as I expect them to be white and stay white (no need for funny painting).

Thanks for any advice!

Aluminium lasts longer and uPVC will keep you a little warmer inside. For most people its thick or thin frames or the cost that makes their minds up.

How much longer? I can't see what would go wrong with uPVC over time?

will the aluminium be painted? they look the dogs IMHO.

I've got a guide somewhere - will see if i can find it.

My aluminium is white, I don't know if it's painted, plastic coated, whatever, but it looks like it won't give up over time. There are also many manufacturers here who will make such windows, so I'm not stuck for choice. Just want to check I'm making the right one.

We have alumimium windows & doors. They're powder coated white and show no signs of wear & tear. They have UPVC trim on the inside to aid insulation and prevent condensation. These were installed 5 years ago. I found that aluminium frames tend to be less 'chunky' than UPVC so you get more glazed area.
I still have a couple of windows that have UPVC frames but I will be changing these to aluminium - no comparison IMHO.
Not sure about the affects of salt air combined with humidity though - would be worth checking into this.

I found that aluminium frames tend to be less 'chunky' than UPVC so you get more glazed area.

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Not sure about the affects of salt air combined with humidity though - would be worth checking into this.

A-ha! Thanks for the "less chunky" comment... And the tip about PVC on the inside.

Effects of salt/humidity; my current alu ones are about 10 years old (house rebuilt in 94), and apart from not being Persil white, show no signs of physical changes at all.