A big part of what Karoly Windows & Doors specializes in is maximizing impact resistance for homes throughout Tampa Bay. Given how tough they are, you might think that means we’d highly recommend getting aluminum windows. However, we don’t.
Why is that?
Well, if the only factor to consider was pure impact resistance, then aluminum windows would be the clear winner over vinyl impact windows. However, pure strength in the face of wind pressure and impacts, while a high priority, isn’t the only factor to consider when choosing an impact window.
Let’s go over a few of the reasons why we generally don’t recommend aluminum windows for Florida homes:
1: Aluminum Windows Are Bad at Stopping Heat
Let’s start with the single biggest reason why we avoid installing aluminum windows: They’re terrible at helping you control the temperature in your home.
Aluminum is an excellent thermal conductor, readily absorbing and redistributing heat throughout itself until the environment on both sides of the aluminum reaches equilibrium. How good of a thermal conductor is aluminum?
According to Alloys International, 6063 aluminum, the aluminum alloy most commonly used for making windows, has a thermal conductivity rating of 200 W/m*K (Watts per meter Kelvin).
Now, let’s compare that to vinyl. Polyvinyl Chloride, or PVC, has a thermal conductivity rating of just 0.17 W/m*K. That’s less than 1/5000 the thermal conductivity rate. In the time it takes a vinyl window frame to let through 1 watt of energy, an equally thick aluminum window frame will have let through 5,882 watts of energy.
There’s a reason they make baking sheets out of aluminum!
Considering that temperatures in Tampa Bay for June, July, and August 2026 routinely exceeded 90 degrees Fahrenheit (Source: Weatherspark), that’s a major problem. You know, because the aluminum in an aluminum window won’t stop carrying that heat into your home until it’s 90 degrees on the inside, too.
2: Aluminum Windows Show Scratches Easily
When you get new windows, you generally expect them to last for a long time without you having to get up to do touch-up work on them every time there’s a stiff breeze. However, with aluminum windows, you’re often left doing just that.
Aluminum windows have to be painted to match the desired color scheme for your home. But even the best paints can easily chip when placed over bare metal. Every scratch, every pebble that hits your window frame, every overenthusiastic cleaning of your window can result in the paint being peeled or scratched off your window and exposing the bare metal beneath it.
This mars the beauty of your new windows, meaning that you’ll have to go over the scratches with a fresh coat of paint to fix your home’s look.
Compare this to a vinyl window, where the vinyl is extruded in the color that it’s in (typically white, tan, or bronze). If the surface layer of the vinyl gets scratched, the vinyl underneath is still the same color. This makes it much less likely that any random scratch will be visible under any but the closest inspection.
This isn’t as severe an issue as the thermal performance of the window, but it is a frustration factor for many homeowners.
3: Aluminum Windows Are Susceptible to Salt Corrosion
If your home is nearer the coastline, which describes much of the Tampa Bay area, then it’s frequently subjected to salty ocean breezes. When the salty ocean air hits an aluminum window, it can cause that window to start pitting or rusting.
This saltwater corrosion is a major issue for many homes with aluminum or other metal fixtures. The divots and discoloration that can appear on a metal-framed window not only hamper its visual appeal, they can actually interfere with the operation of the window if they get severe enough.
Windows with rusted frames may be more prone to sticking than ones with corrosion-free frames.
Compare this to vinyl-framed windows. PVC is largely chemically inert. It doesn’t react to the presence of salt in the air like aluminum does. This means that a vinyl window will last much longer than an aluminum one with less frequent cleaning and maintenance.
Are Vinyl Windows Really That Much Better Than Aluminum Windows in Florida?
When it comes to energy efficiency, maintenance, and useful life in Florida, yes! Vinyl impact windows are the go-to choice for homeowners in Florida because they’re easier for homeowners in Florida to maintain.
What About Impact Resistance? How Do Vinyl Windows Stack Up Against Aluminum Windows?
In terms of absolute impact resistance, pure aluminum window frames tend to be a bit stronger than their vinyl counterparts. However, vinyl impact windows can still be built strong enough to meet even high velocity hurricane zone (HVHZ) standards!
What’s the secret? It’s that vinyl impact windows have an aluminum core buried beneath the layers of vinyl. This aluminum center provides reinforcement to the vinyl shell so you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
The vinyl protects the aluminum interior from exposure to saltwater, scratches, and the heat of the Florida sun.
Get The Best Installation for Vinyl Impact Windows for Your Home!
Need new impact windows that will not only block hurricane force winds and flying debris, but hot Florida weather, all while looking great doing it? Reach out to Karoly Windows & Doors to get started with a free, no-obligation in-home consultation!
We’ll measure your window openings, assess your needs, and walk you through the best window options for your home.
Claim your free consultation today:
