How Long Do Aluminium Windows Last?

The direct answer

Short answer

Modern thermally-broken aluminium windows last 30–40+ years. Powder-coat finish carries a 20-year colourfast guarantee on Schüco systems and 10–15 years on most other UK manufacturers. Frames don't warp, rot, swell, or need repainting.

Practical replacement is rarely driven by the aluminium itself. It's driven by sealed glass units (15–25 years), gaskets (15–20 years), and hardware wear (10–15 years on heavily used windows) — all of which can be replaced without disturbing the frame.

Aluminium vs uPVC vs timber

Realistic UK service life by frame material, in normal residential conditions and assuming reasonable installation quality. Coastal exposure shortens all figures by 15–25%; sheltered inland sites extend them by 10–15%.

Material	Frame life	Maintenance	Common failure mode
Aluminium (thermally broken)	30–40+ years	Annual clean	Sealed unit fogging at 15–25yr
uPVC	25–30 years	Annual clean	UV yellowing on south-facing, gasket perish
Timber (engineered, factory finished)	50+ years	Repaint every 8–12yr	Paint failure, water ingress at joints
Original steel (Crittall)	60–100 years	Repaint every 5–10yr	Corrosion, single glazing, draughts
Composite (alu-clad timber)	40–50 years	Annual clean	Internal timber damp at sash joints

What actually wears out

An aluminium window is a system of components with different lifespans. Knowing what fails when helps you budget — and avoid replacing the entire window when only a part needs renewing.

Component	Typical life	Replaceable in-frame?	Cost band
Aluminium extrusion	40+ years	—	—
Polyamide thermal break	40+ years	No	—
Powder-coat finish	20–25 years	Re-coat possible	£££
EPDM gaskets and weather seals	15–20 years	Yes	£
Sealed double-glazed unit	15–25 years	Yes — common	££
Friction stays / hinges	15–20 years	Yes	£
Locking mechanisms	10–15 years	Yes	£
Handles	10–15 years	Yes — easy	£

Annual maintenance schedule

Aluminium windows are very low maintenance. Following this short schedule extends the practical lifespan towards the 40-year top end. None of these tasks require a tradesperson.

Task	Frequency	Detail
Frame clean	Annual	Mild soapy water, soft cloth — no abrasives, no solvents
Drainage hole check	Annual	Clear holes at base of frame using a soft brush
Hardware lubrication	Annual	Silicone-based lubricant on hinges, friction stays, locking points
Gasket inspection	Annual	Check for shrinkage, cracking, displacement
Sealed unit visual check	Every 5 years	Look for condensation between panes — sign of seal failure
Powder-coat inspection	Every 5 years	Check for chalking, fading, impact damage on south-facing

Real-world longevity

A sense of how aluminium ages in practice. These are systems still in active service across London — not lab figures.

Schüco Royal S 65 (mid-1990s) — many West London commercial buildings still in original frame and powder coat, 30+ years on

1980s curtain walling on City of London office towers — frames sound, glass replaced once at 20–25 years

Apex Glazing's earliest Schüco residential installs (2005) now 20 years old, original sealed units still clear, no powder-coat fade

Crittall steel windows from the 1930s — 90+ years and counting, replaced largely for thermal not structural reasons

Schüco AWS 70.HI domestic installs (2010 onwards) showing no measurable wear on powder coat at 15 years

Frequently asked

Modern thermally-broken aluminium windows last 30–40+ years in normal UK conditions. The aluminium frame itself can outlast the building — it doesn't warp, rot, swell, or corrode in the way timber and steel can. Realistic replacement is driven by sealed glass units (15–25 years) and gaskets (15–20 years), not the frame. Schüco systems installed in London in the early 1990s are still in regular service today.

Are aluminium windows durable?

Yes, very. Aluminium has a 30–40+ year service life, doesn't rust like steel, doesn't swell or rot like timber, and doesn't go brittle in UV like older uPVC. Powder-coat finish carries a 20-year colourfast guarantee on Schüco systems and 10–15 years on most other UK manufacturers. The thermal break (a polyamide strip inside the frame) is rated to last the lifetime of the window.

Aluminium vs uPVC windows lifespan?

Aluminium typically lasts 30–40+ years; uPVC typically lasts 25–30 years. uPVC can yellow under UV exposure on south-facing elevations, and gaskets perish at a similar rate to aluminium. Hardware lifespan is comparable on both. The bigger durability gap is in commercial use and large-pane sliders, where aluminium structurally outperforms uPVC over decades.

Do aluminium windows need repainting?

No. Powder-coat finish is electrostatically applied and oven-cured to the bare aluminium — it's bonded, not painted on. Under normal UK conditions, it doesn't peel, blister, or chalk for 20–25 years. Light annual cleaning with mild soap and water keeps the colour fresh. Re-coating is only ever needed in the event of impact damage, and is usually done as a touch-up rather than a full re-finish.

What's the warranty on aluminium windows?

Apex Glazing's standard warranty is 10 years on the aluminium frame and hardware, and 5 years on sealed double-glazed units. Schüco extends a 20-year colourfast guarantee on the Schueco-supplied powder coat finish. The FENSA installation guarantee provides additional consumer protection covering the certificate and installation, registered with the local authority.

What fails first on an aluminium window?

Sealed glass units fail first, typically at 15–25 years — the seal between the panes breaks down and condensation appears between the glass. Gaskets are next at 15–20 years, then mechanical hardware (handles, friction stays) at 10–15 years. The aluminium frame and powder coat usually outlast all of these and can be reused with new glass and seals if needed.

Do aluminium windows corrode in coastal areas?

Marine-grade aluminium powder coatings (Qualicoat Class 2 or Class 3) resist coastal salt-air corrosion for 25+ years. Standard coatings can chalk or corrode within 10–15 years on exposed coastal locations. For seafront properties, always specify Qualicoat Seaside or Class 2 powder coat. Inland London locations don't need this and standard Class 1 powder coat is sufficient.

How do I maintain aluminium windows?

Maintenance is light. Annually: clean frames with mild soapy water (no abrasives or solvents), check and clear drainage holes at the bottom of the frame, lubricate hinges and locking mechanisms with silicone-based lubricant, and inspect gaskets for shrinkage or cracking. Every 5–7 years inspect sealed units for condensation between panes. That's the entire schedule.