The best uPVC alu look windows 2023 – Top alternatives to aluminum

List of the best minimalist uPVC windows

Below you can find a list of European windows we’ve rated in our ranking of aluminum-look uPVC windows. Alphabetical order:

Table of contents:

uPVC alu look windows – an alternative to aluminum windows

Why are we introducing you to minimalist uPVC windows as a very good alternative to aluminum windows? Not only because they are more than 2 times cheaper, but they look very similar, have a similar design and we know from our customers’ experience that they can be easily combined with aluminum windows and doors. 

Top-ranked minimalist uPVC windows – what did we compare?

Our ranking included 6 window systems from 3 European system providers. Comparing one type of window does not give us the whole picture of the capabilities of a particular system. Therefore, we compared sets consisting of 12 pieces of different types of windows. Each window in a similar standard – 3-paned. 

We evaluated windows in 3 most important categories:

  • price
  • quality
  • quality-to-price ratio

While the price of windows is easy to measure in dollars, “quality” for everyone can mean something different to everyone. Below you can check the exact criteria we used to evaluate the quality of the windows.

Best alu look uPVC windows list criteria

In order to pick out the best uPVC windows with an aluminum look, we decided to evaluate their quality. What windows quality means to us? To define it, we adopted the most important (in our opinion) evaluation criteria. Here they are:

  • Thermal capabilities – Uw – The lower the achievable U Factor, the more applications the system has. You will be able to meet the exacting requirements for thermal performance in your project, for example, for a tender.
  • Hardware – Reliability of hardware means trouble-free operation after installation. You will have fewer complaints and service trips. This will save you time and money.
  • Minimal sash + frame height and width of the central mullion – the low height of the frame and sash and the narrow mullion affect the amount of light entering the room. You will meet the requirements of the investor who expects aesthetics and modern appearance of the windows. 
  • Completeness of the system – makes you can use one system for different types of windows in the project. It makes it easier to install and connect windows, and gives you a unified design.
  • Reliability of the supplier – a trustworthy supplier guarantees repetitive production of a certain quality, gives you the assurance of fast and timely execution of orders, and efficiently handles few complaints. For you, this means easier management of works on site and will allow you to complete more projects.

We awarded from 0 to 3 points for each of the criteria listed, so in total one system could receive a maximum of 15 points in the “quality” category.

Top 3 cheapest minimalist uPVC windows 2023

 

The best minimalist uPVC windows in 2023 in our ranking are Aluplast Energeto Neo, which scored 13.5 points out of a possible 15.

If the quality of minimalist windows is most important in your project, buying the Energeto Neo system, which won 1st place in the “highest quality” category, will meet the investor’s exacting requirements. Gealan Kubus and Aluplast Ideal Neo were right behind.

Aluplast Energeto Neo gained a slight advantage over Gealan Kubus due to its reliable supplier and better system completeness.

Energeto Neo offers the option to flush the profile from the outside, very good thermal performance with U-Factor 0.13 Btu/h·ft2·F, high-quality hardware, the height of the frame and sash of 4.53 in. In the aspect of supplier`s reliability Energeto has an advantage over Kubus, which lost 1 point for occurring problems with complaints.

Gealan Kubus – the most minimalist profile

Gealan Kubus ranked 2nd with a loss of only 0.5 points to the winner. It has the option to flush the sash from the outside and from the inside. It has the best U Factor 0.12 Btu/h·ft2·F parameter among all compared profiles. At the same time, it offers the lowest frame and sash height of 3.94 in. 

Kubus is the only one available in acrylcolor on the outside. The acrylcolor coating allows you to easily remove scratches made during installation. Your builder will appreciate the high color fastness, easy care and weather resistance. There are only 9 colors available in the configuration of white on the inside and acrylcolor on the outside.

Gealan Kubus can therefore be an alternative to Energeto, but only if your investor has very specific requirements for profile appearance, low sash and frame height or best thermal performance. However, it will be necessary to allocate a budget for it more than twice as high as for the Energeto.

Best alu look uPVC windows with highest quality – table

 

Windows set Score
Aluplast Energeto Neo 13.5
Gealan Kubus 13
Aluplast Ideal Neo 13
Gealan Linear 12
   

Other considerations

Check in detail below what influenced our final assessment of the quality of the aluminum-look uPVC window systems checked in the ranking. You’ll learn what criteria were important to us and the number of points the windows received for each.

Warmest minimalist uPVC windows

The best thermal performance is Gealan Kubus, which achieved an excellent U Factor 0.12 Btu/h·ft2·F. However, these windows are more than 2 times more expensive than their competitors.

All windows in our list have the option of 3 panes in the sash. We can consider all of them as warm, energy-efficient windows, which will allow them to be used in passive building projects. The worst result obtained is Uw=0,81 W/m2·K (U-Factor 0.14 Btu/h·ft2·F), which we still consider an excellent result.

What is the significance of U-Factor in practice?

Contrary to opinions that sometimes appear, in practice small differences in U-Factor do not translate into any significant savings in energy charges. 

So when does it matter to you? When the technical requirements of a given project assume specific technical parameters for the window. To be honest, it’s all about the numbers. For instance, the difference between Uw 0.9 (U-Factor 0.16) and Uw 0.8 (U-Factor 0.14) is imperceptible neither to the users of the building nor to the people paying the heating bills.

Profile Price (USD) U-Factor (Btu/h·ft2·F) Uw (W/m2·K) Score for U-Factor
Gealan Kubus 8,140 0.12 0.70 3
Aluplast Energeto Neo 3,685 0.13 0.76 2,5
Gealan Linear 3,820 0.14 0.78 2
Aluplast Ideal Neo 3,127 0.14 0.80 2
         

Hardware in uPVC windows alu look

No matter which of the windows featured in our ranking you choose for your project, when it comes to hardware you can rest assured. We considered all the hardware used to be of equal quality and awarded them the maximum number of points. These hardware come from manufacturers renowned in the industry.

Profile Hardware Score
Aluplast Energeto Neo ROTO NT 3
Aluplast Ideal Neo ROTO NT 3
Gealan Kubus WINKHAUS ACTIVEPILOT 3
Gealan Linear WINKHAUS ACTIVEPILOT 3

Windows with the lowest sash and frame height

The lowest height of sash + frame – 3.94 in – have Gealan Kubus windows. This is as much as 0.59 in more than in the worst window in this category.

The low sash and frame height increases the glass area of the window and more natural light enters the room. Conversely, a high of the sash and frame reduces the glass area and looks less modern or even unsightly.

Is this important to you?

Minimalist windows are currently popular due to the worldwide trend in building design. If your builder expects as much glass area as possible, then low sash and frame height will play an important role. Keep in mind that this is a solution that costs more. Gealan Kubus is the only one that comes close to aluminum windows in this respect, but keep in mind that it is a solution that costs more than other uPVC alu look profiles. When it comes to sash frame height, Ideal Neo and Gealan Linear are also worths considering (4.33 in).

In all compared windows, the size of the glazing in relation to the window frame is similar – about 75-76%. The other important difference can be seen only in the specific constructions described below. p.s. Remember that uPVC alu look profiles don`t give as much glazing area as aluminum, but you gain in design.

Profile Sash+frame height Score
Gealan Kubus 3.94 in 3
Gealan Linear 4.33 in 2
Aluplast Ideal Neo 4.33 in 2
Aluplast Energeto Neo 4.53 in 2
Gealan Kubus vs Aluplast Energeto Neo (frame and sash height)

Width of the central post

If your project includes 2-sash or fix (fixed glazing/picture windows) windows divided by a mullion, the width of the center mullion and sash assembly will play an important role.

In the case of fix, the systems offer a 3.7 in mullion, only Gealan Kubus is worse – 6.06 in.

With casement windows and a movable mullion, the lowest mullion and sash assembly was achieved by Gealan Kubus 3.94 in, followed by Deceuninck Elegant 76 Abstract 4.88 in and Gealan Linear 5.16 in. In the case of the fixed mullion, the windows offer 7.01 in – 7.09 in. The most favorable again is Gealan Kubus – 6.06 in.

Completeness of the system – minimalist uPVC windows

In the criterion of the most complete system, we don`t have a single winner – the profiles represent a comparable level.

Almost all the windows in the list received a satisfactory result and received 3 points each: Aluplast Ideal Neo, Aluplast Energeto Neo and Gealan Linear. You can make a perimeter balcony with a frame or a balcony with a low threshold on these systems. All have RC2 grade burglar-proof hardware, while both versions of Deceuninck Elegant 76 also have RC3 available.

Gealan Kubus stands out slightly from its competitors, with no option for panel doors, and the flush version also lacks the option of a movable mullion or a balcony with a low threshold. For these limitations, these windows lose one point and in the completeness criterion they rank last with a score of 2 points.

Evaluation of manufacturers from Poland

As a window broker, we work on a daily basis with dozens of suppliers who produce windows from European system manufacturers in their assembly plants. The reliability of the supplier is extremely important so that you can smoothly carry out your window installation schedule during construction. Therefore, we evaluated:

  • repeatability of production of a certain quality
  • the time of valuation of windows
  • the certainty of fast and timely implementation of the order
  • adherence to declared deadlines
  • percentage of complaints and efficiency of complaint handling

All the window suppliers in our list represent a very solid level (2 points and above). The highest score was given to system manufacturer Aluplast Ideal Neo and Aluplast Energeto Neo. It surpassed the other suppliers primarily due to its high automation, repeatability of high-quality production and efficient way of handling complaints. These admittedly occur infrequently, but when they do, the supplier offers technical support and quick assistance in solving problems.

Detailed comparison of minimalist uPVC window profiles (table)

Windows system Uw (W/m2·K) U Factor (Btu/h·ft2·F) Hardware Min. sash + frame height Completness Supplier`s reliability score
Aluplast Energeto Neo 0.76 0.13 ROTO NT 4.53 in 7/10 3 pts
Aluplast Ideal Neo 0.80 0.14 ROTO NT 4.33 in 7/10 3 pts
Deceuninck Elegant 76 Infinity 0.81 0.14 ROTO NX 4.41 in 7/10 2 pts
Deceuninck Elegant 76 Abstract 0.79 0.14 ROTO NX 4.41 in 7/10 2 pts
Gealan Kubus 0.70 0.12 WINKHAUS ACTIVEPILOT 3.94 in 6/10 2 pts
Gealan Linear 0.78 0.14 WINKHAUS ACTIVEPILOT 4.33 in 7/10 2 pts

As you can see, the windows in the list often went head to head with each other. The price per set of 12 windows and the supplier’s reliability rating played a key role in taking the final positions. 

If our ranking is missing information that is relevant to you, let us know. You can also take advantage of a free consultation with our business consultant and technologist, who will help you choose the optimal solution for your project.