Aluminium vs Wood Windows — Which Is Better?

Aluminium Windows vs Wood Windows

Still torn between aluminium windows and wooden ones? This article compares both materials in detail so you can decide with confidence. We look at price, lifespan, maintenance, how each material copes with the Malaysian climate, and the situations where wood still makes sense. If you are planning a renovation for a terrace house, a semi-D or a condo unit, this comparison should settle the question before you spend a single ringgit.

Full Comparison

Criteria	Aluminium	Wood
Price	RM150-350/unit	RM200-500/unit
Lifespan	30-50 years	10-20 years
Maintenance	Minimal	High (repaint every 3-5 years)
Rust and rot resistance	Yes	No (mould, termites)
Weather resistance	Excellent	Moderate
Colour options	20+ powder coat	Limited
Weight	Light	Heavy
Eco-friendly	Recyclable	Trees cut down

The price band for aluminium covers the common window types. A fixed panel starts from RM150/unit, a sliding window from RM180/unit, a louvre window from RM200/unit and a casement window from RM250/unit. A grille window with the security bars built into the frame starts from RM320/unit. Every unit comes with standard 5mm glass included, and installation is charged separately at RM50-100 per unit. You can see the full breakdown in our aluminium window price guide for Malaysia.

Why Aluminium Wins in Malaysia

1. Tropical Climate

Malaysia has high humidity and heavy rain. Wood swells, rots and gets attacked by termites easily in tropical weather. Aluminium window frames are not affected. During the north-east monsoon, homes in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang take weeks of driving rain, and wooden sashes that absorb water start to stick in their frames. On the west coast, humidity sits above 80% for most of the year, which is ideal for mould on timber. Coastal homes in Penang, Port Dickson and Kuantan face salt air too. Aluminium forms a thin oxide layer that protects it from corrosion, so it does not need the constant attention that wood demands near the sea.

2. Long-Term Cost

Even if the upfront price looks similar, the maintenance cost of wood is far higher. Repainting alone, every 3-5 years, can cost RM50-100/window. Over a 30-year period that is 6 to 10 repainting cycles for each window, before you count sanding, filling cracks, replacing rotten sills and treating termite damage. An aluminium window over the same period needs a wipe down with soapy water and an occasional check on the rubber seals. AluFrame backs its profiles with a 10-year warranty and the accessories with a 5-year warranty, which is something no timber supplier can match.

3. Durability

Aluminium windows can last 30-50 years without replacement. Wooden windows usually need replacing after 10-20 years. In practice, the timber windows on older terrace houses built in the 1980s and 1990s are often the first thing a new owner replaces, because the frames have warped enough that they no longer close properly. Aluminium keeps its shape because it does not absorb moisture, so the sash still meets the frame cleanly decades later.

4. Modern Design

Aluminium profiles are slimmer, giving you more glass area and more natural light. Slim, clean and modern. A powder coated finish is available in 20+ colours, from natural silver and matt black to wood grain shades that mimic oak or walnut. That means you can get the warm look of timber without the upkeep. Powder coated aluminium windows start from RM280/unit, and the finish resists UV fading far better than paint on wood.

When Is Wood Still a Good Fit?

• Heritage homes that need to keep their original look
• Interior decorative windows that are not exposed to the weather
• Very high-budget projects using premium hardwood

If you own a pre-war shophouse in George Town or Melaka under heritage guidelines, timber may be required by the local council. For everything else, including most terrace houses, bungalows, semi-Ds and condo units, aluminium is the practical choice. Condo owners should also check with their management office, because many strata bodies require a uniform external frame colour, which is easy to match with powder coat.

Worked Example: Replacing Wooden Windows in a Terrace House

A typical double-storey terrace house has 8 windows. Say you choose 6 casement windows at RM250/unit and 2 sliding windows for the kitchen and bathroom at RM180/unit. The windows come to RM1,860. Installation at RM50-100 per unit adds RM400-800, so the total lands between RM2,260 and RM2,660 with standard 5mm glass. Removal of the old wooden windows is included in a retrofit job, and 6-10 windows are normally installed in 1-2 days. Compare that with repainting 8 wooden windows every 3-5 years at RM50-100 each, and the aluminium option pays for itself well within its lifespan.

What to Check Before You Order

• Ask whether the quote includes removal of the old windows. AluFrame includes this for retrofit work.
• Confirm the glass type. Standard 5mm glass is included, and tempered, tinted or double-glazed upgrades start from RM30/unit.
• Check the warranty in writing: 10 years on profiles, 5 years on accessories.
• Request a free site survey so the installer measures every opening rather than working from your estimate.
• If you live in a condo, get the management's approved frame colour before you confirm the powder coat shade.
• Ask how many days the installation will take, so you can plan around it.

For more on the replacement process itself, read our guide to upgrading old windows to aluminium.

Conclusion

For the majority of homes in Malaysia, aluminium windows are the more practical, durable and economical choice. Wood has its place in heritage restoration and sheltered interiors, but for external windows that face sun, rain and humidity every day, aluminium wins on lifespan, upkeep and design freedom. AluFrame supplies and installs aluminium windows and doors across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. Browse our service areas by state to see if we cover your area.

WhatsApp AluFrame to replace your old wooden windows with aluminium! Send us your window count and photos, and you will receive a free quote within 24 hours, plus a free site survey before any work begins.