Aluminum Windows
Slim frames, big glass and a modern look — but how do aluminum windows really handle an Ontario winter? Here is an honest guide to the pros, the cons, the costs, and when replacing old aluminum windows makes sense.
The Basics
What Are Aluminum Windows?
Aluminum windows have frames made from extruded aluminum. The metal is light but very strong, so the frames can be slim while holding large panes of glass. That is why you see them on condo towers, storefronts and modern custom homes.
The catch is that metal conducts heat. Modern aluminum windows deal with this using a thermal break — a strip of insulating polyamide or resin that separates the outside of the frame from the inside, so the cold cannot travel straight through. Most older aluminum windows from the 1960s to 1980s have no thermal break at all.
At WindowFixers.ca we install custom vinyl windows, and we replace a lot of old aluminum windows across Toronto, the GTA, York Region and up to Barrie. This guide gives you the honest picture so you can choose what is right for your home.
Honest Advice
Aluminum Windows: Pros and Cons
Aluminum has real strengths. It also has real weak spots in a cold climate. Here are both sides.
What aluminum does well
- Very strong frames, so the profiles can be slim and the glass can be large.
- A clean, modern look — narrow sightlines in black, bronze or grey finishes.
- Will not rot, warp or swell, and powder-coated or anodized finishes need little care.
- Handles very large openings, window walls and tall units that other frames cannot.
- Aluminum is fully recyclable at the end of its life.
Where aluminum falls short
- Metal conducts heat, so the frame feels colder in winter — even with a thermal break.
- Inside frames can collect condensation or frost on very cold, humid days.
- Usually costs noticeably more than a comparable vinyl window.
- Older aluminum windows without a thermal break lose a lot of heat.
- Fewer residential suppliers and installers, so lead times and repairs can be longer.
Quick Comparison
Aluminum vs Vinyl Window Frames
The short version. For the full breakdown, read our vinyl vs aluminum windows guide.
| Feature | Aluminum | Vinyl |
|---|---|---|
| Frame material | Extruded aluminum, ideally with a thermal break | Multi-chamber PVC frame |
| Winter comfort | Frame feels cooler; more risk of frame condensation | Frame stays close to room temperature |
| Energy efficiency | Good with a thermal break, poor without one | Very good — ENERGY STAR certified for Ontario |
| Look | Slimmest frames, very modern | Slightly wider frames; modern slim profiles available |
| Typical installed price | About $500–$1,200 per window | Usually the best value per window |
| Lifespan | About 20–30 years | About 20–40 years with a quality frame |
| Best for | Condos, commercial, very large modern glass | Most Ontario houses — comfort and value |
Prices are typical installed ranges per window in Ontario and vary by size, style and glass.
Best Uses
Where Aluminum Windows Make the Most Sense
Aluminum is the right tool for some jobs. For most detached houses and townhomes in Ontario, vinyl is the warmer, better-value choice.
Condos & High-Rise Buildings
Most condo towers use aluminum window walls because the frames are strong enough for height and wind loads. Replacement here is usually handled by the building, not the owner.
Storefronts & Commercial Spaces
Shops, offices and restaurants use aluminum for big glass, heavy daily use and slim storefront framing.
Modern Custom Homes With Huge Glass
Floor-to-ceiling glass and very tall window walls are where aluminum’s strength really shines — if the budget allows a high-quality thermally broken system.
Aluminum Window Replacement
Time to Replace Your Old Aluminum Windows?
Many Ontario homes and townhouses built from the 1960s to the 1980s still have their original silver aluminum sliders. If you notice any of these signs, new windows will make a big difference:
- Water or ice forms on the frames every winter and drips onto the sill.
- The metal feels icy to the touch and you feel a cold draft near the window.
- Silver sliders stick, rattle or no longer lock properly.
- Frames are pitted or chalky, and the seals or weatherstripping are failing.
- Fog or moisture is trapped between the panes.
- Rooms with those windows are always colder than the rest of the house.
The Upgrade
What You Get When You Switch to Vinyl
Our custom vinyl windows are made to fit the openings your old aluminum windows leave behind.
Warmer Frames
Vinyl does not conduct cold the way metal does, so the frame stays close to room temperature and winter frame condensation becomes rare.
Slimmer Modern Profiles
Today’s vinyl frames are slimmer than the boxy vinyl of the past. Large picture windows paired with casements give you that clean, mostly-glass look.
Low-E, Argon & Triple Pane Glass
Pair the frame with Low-E coated, argon-filled double or triple pane glass for the best comfort you can get in an Ontario winter.
Lifetime Transferable Warranty
ENERGY STAR certified vinyl windows backed by a lifetime, transferable manufacturer warranty and our own workmanship guarantee.
Want the warmest glass possible? See our triple pane windows.
Window Styles
Replacement Styles for Old Aluminum Windows
Keep the same style you have now, or change it up — every window is custom-sized to your openings.
What to Expect
How We Replace Aluminum Windows
A clear, four-step process from first measurement to final walk-through. Want the full details? See our window installation services.
Free In-Home Measurement
We look at your current windows, measure every opening and give you honest advice on the best replacement for each room — with an upfront, all-in written price.
Custom-Built Windows
Your new windows are made to the exact size of each opening, so there are no gaps to fill and no cold spots around the frame.
Careful Removal & Install
We remove the old aluminum frames one opening at a time, set the new windows level and square, then insulate and seal them inside and out.
Cleanup & Warranty
We finish the trim, haul away every old window and all debris, and back the job with the manufacturer warranty plus our own workmanship guarantee.
Why WindowFixers.ca
A Window Team That Gives Straight Answers
Here is why Ontario homeowners trust us to replace their old windows.
Our Own Crews — Never Subcontracted
The team that quotes your home is the team that installs it. Taking out old aluminum frames cleanly takes care and experience.
Honest Advice, Not a Sales Pitch
We install vinyl windows, and we will tell you straight when another material makes more sense for your project.
Old Windows Hauled Away
We remove and take away every old window and all the debris, so you are left with nothing but new windows and a clean room.
Local, Family-Owned, 10+ Years
A decade of installs from Toronto and the GTA up to Barrie, and 8,700+ happy clients, built almost entirely on referrals.
What Do Aluminum Windows Cost?
Aluminum windows typically run about $500–$1,200 per window installed. Compare aluminum, vinyl and other frame materials side by side and get a ballpark for your home in our free cost calculator.
Aluminum Windows FAQ
The questions homeowners ask us most about aluminum windows.
Free In-Home Estimate
Replace Your Old Aluminum Windows
Tell us a little about your home and we will schedule a free in-home measurement and give you an upfront, all-in price for new custom vinyl windows — with no pressure and no obligation. Serving Toronto, the GTA, York Region and up to Barrie.
Mon–Sun: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM