French doors are a timeless way to bring elegance, light, and functionality to your home. Whether they open out onto a garden, patio, or balcony, French doors blend style and practicality. But when choosing the right material, homeowners often face a common dilemma: uPVC or aluminium?

Both materials offer advantages, but your final decision should be based on a careful balance of style, performance, cost, and maintenance. In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about uPVC French doors vs. aluminium French doors to help you make the best decision for your home.

What Are uPVC and Aluminium French Doors?

Before comparing, let’s briefly define both materials.

What is uPVC?

uPVC stands for unplasticised polyvinyl chloride, a low-maintenance and durable material commonly used in doors and windows. Unlike plastic, uPVC doesn’t contain phthalates or BPA, making it more rigid and environmentally safer.

uPVC French doors consist of a central frame made from uPVC with double (or triple) glazed panels, often used in modern and traditional homes alike.

What is Aluminium?

Aluminium French doors use slim, strong metal frames to support glass panels. They’re widely known for their sleek, modern aesthetic and exceptional structural integrity.

Key Comparison: uPVC vs Aluminium French Doors

Let’s compare the two options based on the factors that matter most to homeowners.

1. Aesthetics & Design

uPVC French Doors:
uPVC is versatile and can be finished in a wide range of colours and woodgrain effects. It’s ideal for traditional homes, cottage-style properties, or those wanting a classic white frame.

Pros:

• Suitable for classic or contemporary looks

• Available in multiple finishes (white, grey, oak, rosewood)

• Complements traditional homes

Aluminium French Doors:
Aluminium doors provide a clean, minimalistic look that’s often associated with modern architecture. Because aluminium is stronger than uPVC, frames can be slimmer, allowing for larger glass areas and more natural light.

Pros:

• Sleek, slim sightlines

• Contemporary finish

• Powder-coated colours won’t fade easily

• Ideal for modern or industrial-style homes

Winner (Aesthetics): Aluminium – especially for modern designs. uPVC wins if you prefer a traditional look.

2. Durability & Strength

uPVC French Doors:
uPVC is long-lasting and resistant to rot, rust, and corrosion. However, it can warp or fade over decades, especially when exposed to strong UV light or extreme heat.

Aluminium French Doors:
Aluminium is significantly stronger and more durable than uPVC. It won’t warp, rust, or corrode, and powder-coated finishes last decades with minimal wear.

Winner (Durability): Aluminium – hands down. It offers superior longevity and strength.

3. Energy Efficiency

uPVC French Doors:
uPVC is a natural insulator. When combined with high-quality double or triple glazing, uPVC French doors can provide excellent thermal performance, reducing heat loss and energy bills.

Aluminium French Doors:
Modern aluminium doors come with thermal break technology, where a polyamide barrier is inserted between the inner and outer frames to improve insulation. Older aluminium models had poor efficiency, but modern ones are much improved.

Winner (Energy Efficiency): uPVC – by a narrow margin, though thermally broken aluminium is catching up fast.

4. Security

uPVC French Doors:
uPVC frames with a multi-point locking system can provide a good level of security. However, they are slightly more vulnerable to forced entry compared to aluminium due to the material’s flexibility.

Aluminium French Doors:
The inherent strength of aluminium makes these doors more secure. When combined with robust locking mechanisms, aluminium French doors offer superior protection against break-ins.

Winner (Security): Aluminium

5. Maintenance

uPVC French Doors:
uPVC is incredibly low-maintenance. It doesn’t need repainting, and an occasional wipe with soapy water is enough to keep it looking new.

Aluminium French Doors:
Aluminium also requires little maintenance, though its finishes may need occasional care, especially in coastal areas where salt exposure can affect longevity. However, powder-coated frames resist corrosion and fading well.

Winner (Maintenance): Tie – both are very low maintenance.

6. Cost

uPVC French Doors:
uPVC is generally the more affordable option. Ideal for homeowners on a budget, it offers great performance at a lower price point.

Aluminium French Doors:
Aluminium is more expensive to manufacture and install. However, many see the cost as a long-term investment due to durability and resale appeal.

Winner (Cost): uPVC – it’s the clear winner for budget-conscious buyers.

7. Environmental Impact

uPVC French Doors:
uPVC can be recycled, but not as easily or extensively as aluminium. The manufacturing process is also more energy-intensive.

Aluminium French Doors:
Aluminium is highly recyclable and retains its properties after recycling. Over 75% of all aluminium ever produced is still in use today.

Winner (Sustainability): Aluminium

Summary Table: uPVC vs Aluminium French Doors