Choosing the Right Window System for Trade Projects

When working with clients to find the perfect new windows for their home, the choice of material, style, hardware and finishes all have a large impact on both the cost and the long term value they’ll receive. Here at Tradeglaze, we supply four premium window ranges: PVCu Casement, Aluminium, Sash, and Tilt & Turn.

Each window type has it’s own benefits, where they’ll excel and give your customers the best experience, and knowing where these distinctions are, lets you help your customers make informed decisions, give them accurate quotes, and end the project with windows that satisfy both aesthetics and performance demands.

PVCu Casement Windows

PVCu casement windows are still one of the most cost effective choices for windows, making them popular in home refurbishment projects. They are usually around 25% cheaper than their aluminium counterparts, allowing them to be used on tighter budgets, while still offering fantastic performance thanks to developments in their production and designs, so your clients own’t have to sacrifice on quality due to restrained budgets.

In terms of maintenance, they are straightforward. Only requiring the occasional cleaning and a simple check of the hinges and seals. If they are looked after properly, they’ll have a life span of 20 to 30 years, meaning they represent excellent value for money.

Visually, casement window frames are slightly bulkier than aluminium frames, which means slimmer slightlines are not their strongest point. However, the range of finishes available more than compensates for this. Here at Tradeglaze, our PVCu casement windows are available in a wide variety of colours, woodgrain finishes and even dual colour options. As such, they are versatile enough to suit both modern new builds, and classic traditional homes.

Aluminium Windows

Aluminium Windows are the premium and more expensive option, providing your customers with windows that are outstandingly durable, along with a stunning modern look. They cost more upfront than PVCu, but they come with slim sightlines, strength, and the ability to accommodate large panes of glass, and as a result are the clear winners in high end and design led projects.

Thanks to the strength and durability of aluminium, they have life spans of 30 to 40 years or more when properly cared for. It also outperforms other materials in terms of longevity, structural strength and stability, and is highly resistant to warping or discolouration. They only require minimal maintenance thanks to their powder coated finishes that are resistance to weathering and UV exposure.

Sash Windows

Sash windows are unmatched in traditional and heritage homes and locations, where authenticity and aesthetics matter most. They are often more expensive than standard casement designs due to their sliding mechanisms and additional detailing, but for period properties or conservation areas, they are often the only suitable choice. Modern PVCu sash models reduce some of the traditional weaknesses, such as draughts and high maintenance, yet they still require more upkeep than casements or aluminium options.

In terms of lifespan, well made sash windows can last 20 to 30 years, though the moving parts, including balances, pulleys, or sliding tracks, require occasional adjustment. They do not offer the slim sightlines of aluminium or the airtightness of tilt & turn, but their appearance is their greatest strength.

Tilt & Turn Windows

Tilt & turn windows strike a balance between style and practicality. While they tend to cost more than standard casements due to their complex hardware, they provide versatility that other window types cannot match. Their dual opening modes make them highly practical for ventilation, security, and easy cleaning, especially on upper storeys or apartment blocks.

Built with either PVCu or aluminium, tilt & turn systems offer comparable lifespans to those products, generally 25 to 35 years, depending on specification. Maintenance is slightly higher than a simple casement because of the multiple moving parts, but modern hardware ensures long term reliability. Aesthetically, they provide a clean, modern look, with finishes available in a wide range of colours, wood effects, and dual options. For projects where functionality and user convenience are key, tilt & turn windows outperform casements, sash, and even aluminium in overall practicality.

Trade-Projects: Specifying for Practical Success

When you, as a trade professional, are helping your clients or choosing what to supply, consider not only the material but also these factors:

Hardware quality: Even with excellent frame & glazing, poor hinges, locks, or seals degrade performance fast.
Glazing thickness/gas fill/spacer bars: Low-E coatings, argon fills, warm-edge spacers all boost thermal efficiency and reduce noise. Tradeglaze’s ranges (PVCu casement, tilt & turn, etc.) offer these features.
Warranty and proven performance: Lifespan estimates matter only if the product is built to last. Guarantees, evidence of testing, and compliance with standards are all crucial.
Colour/finish selection vs lead time: Non-standard / made to order colours often have longer lead times; special finishes may cost extra. Tradeglaze notes that premium or made-to-order colours incur longer lead times.
Installation & site conditions: Proper installation matters, if the window rebate, masonry opening, drainage, and sealing are done right, any material will perform much better.
Client priorities: Is aesthetic / heritage more important? Cost? Thermal performance? Maintenance? Often, clients want a blend; your job is to help them balance trade offs.