Doors and windows: aluminum vs UPVC vs wood — which to choose
Doors and windows aren't just openings for light; they're the barrier against driving rain, noise, heat and thieves. Three materials dominate the Thai market, each with clearly different strengths
Aluminum
The real market leader: withstands sun and rain, doesn't swell, rot or attract termites, light enough for large panels, mid-priced, with slim modern profiles. Its weaknesses are conducting heat well and the limited sound insulation of standard sliding tracks. The aluminum grade matters a lot: 1.2 mm or thicker for standard panels, powder coating lasts longer than ordinary anodizing, and the edge seals decide whether rain seeps in. Casement systems seal water and sound better than sliding, but cost more
UPVC (vinyl)
Its selling point isthe best sound and heat insulationof the three, because the plastic doesn't conduct heat and the systems usually use tightly compressing multi-point locks. Suits houses by the road, bedrooms and rooms with AC running constantly. Costs about 20–40% more than aluminum. Good to know: very large panels need internal steel reinforcement (always ask the manufacturer), color choices are fewer, and choose a brand with UV stabilizers for hot climates, or it yellows and gets brittle quickly
Solid wood
A warm beauty other materials can't imitate, and it can be repaired, sanded and refinished again and again — in exchange for lifelong care: repaint/restain every 2–4 years, a risk of swelling and shrinking with rain and sun if the wood isn't kiln-dried enough, and termites as a permanent enemy. Price depends on species (teak, makha, red wood), usually the most expensive of the three; suits Thai-style homes, resorts or showpiece spots like the front door
How to choose for your needs
Balanced budget for the whole house → good-grade aluminum · roadside rooms/need quiet → UPVC in those spots or throughout · showing off luxury → solid wood front door + aluminum elsewhere · for every material: glass 5–6 mm or thicker, tempered glass for large wind-exposed panels, and installers who measure and seal well matter as much as the frames, because almost all leaks come from the installation, not the frame