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Ten mistakes to avoid when choosing aluminium windows, and the fix for each

Many problems after fitting trace back to decisions made before ordering: price-only comparison, no written glass specification, measuring too early and no drainage plan. Here is each mistake with a practical fix.

THE SHORT ANSWER

The expensive mistakes are made on paper, not on site

A window can be well made and still disappoint if it was specified loosely. AluK’s own guidance for homeowners lists mistakes such as choosing on price alone, ignoring glass specification, overlooking air and water tightness, accepting poor installation and picking a style that does not suit the opening. We agree with that list and add several that we see in quotations.
Verdict: the single most useful habit is to insist on a written, itemised specification, so every quote can be compared on the same terms. The rest of this guide shows what to put in it. If you are comparing price drivers, read our aluminium window prices guide alongside this one.

Mistakes made while comparing quotations

1. Choosing on price alone

AluK warns that cheap windows often cut corners on materials, sealing and hardware, which later shows as drafts, seepage and upkeep. The fix is to compare the system, glass, hardware, finish and scope line by line, then look at price. A lower quote that leaves out installation or glass is not lower.

2. Comparing a system with a fabricated window

AluK distinguishes system windows, designed and tested as a complete solution, from windows built locally from standard sections, where results depend more on workmanship. Both can be good, but they are different products. Ask each supplier to name the profile series.

3. Judging by a corner sample

A cut corner shows the section, not how the unit operates or seals. Operate a full-size working window or door before you buy, and look at the handle, the track and the gasket.

4. Choosing the material before the opening

Deciding aluminium, uPVC or timber first leaves the real questions unanswered. Settle opening size, glass weight, exposure and budget, then choose the material. Our aluminium vs uPVC guide sets out the trade-offs neutrally.

Mistakes in the specification

5. No written glass specification

Glass is a large part of the cost and decides heat, noise and safety. A quote that says double glass is not a specification. Write the build-up, for example 6+12+6, the coating, and whether laminated or toughened glass is required. See the glass options guide.

6. Ignoring tightness ratings

Poorly sealed windows let in air, dust and water, especially in heavy rain or wind. Ask for the air and water tightness class of the system, under which standard. In a monsoon region this is not optional.

7. The wrong opening type for the space

A sliding window on a rain-exposed bedroom, or a folding door where a slider would do, causes everyday frustration. Match type to use: casement for ventilation and rain exposure, sliding for wide balconies, fixed for views, lift and slide for large heavy panels.

8. Forgetting security and hardware

Locks, handles and rollers are the parts you touch daily. Ask about multi-point locking, hardware brand and material, and how replacement parts are obtained. In coastal homes, ask for stainless fittings.

MISTAKES 9 AND 10

The two mistakes that cannot be fixed with a better product

9. Measuring too early or at one point. If frames are made from approximate sizes taken before plastering, tiling and flooring, they will not fit the finished opening. Windows should be measured on site by the fabricating and installing partner, at the structural stage and again before manufacture, with width and height taken at several points and diagonals checked for squareness. Our measurement guide sets out the method.
10. Treating installation as an afterthought. AluK names poor installation as one of the main reasons good windows fail. The frame must sit plumb and level, be anchored, and have a sealed, drained perimeter. Ask who installs, whether they are trained on the system, and who is responsible if a joint leaks. If you are replacing existing windows, our renovations page explains what changes.

What an itemised quotation should contain

Hold every quote you receive against this list. If an item is missing, ask for it in writing before you compare totals.
  • Series or model name, and who manufactures the profile
  • Frame finish, colour and the finish class, with a certificate if one is claimed
  • Glass build-up, coating, spacer type and whether toughened or laminated
  • Hardware brand and material, including locks and rollers
  • Opening sizes, quantities and sash configuration for each opening
  • Scope of installation, sealing, making good and flyscreens
  • Taxes, transport and payment schedule
  • Lead time, stated per project rather than generically
  • Manufacturer and workmanship warranty terms, with what voids them

Rain, salt and heat catch people out

Three additions to the ten apply across Karnataka and Goa. First, no drainage plan: a sliding window that cannot shed water through clear weep holes will leak, and a track that is never cleaned will block. Our monsoon rain guide shows what to check.
Second, treating a coastal elevation like an inland one: finish class, fasteners and cleaning routine matter within reach of salt air, as covered in windows for Goa’s climate. Third, mixing finishes across elevations: a colour that looks matched in the showroom can read differently in sun and shade, and different batches can vary. Ask for a sample on site and keep a single supplier and finish batch for a facade.

FAQ

Questions before you order

What buyers ask us once they have a quotation in hand.
Choosing on price alone. AluK notes that cheap windows often cut corners on materials, sealing and hardware, which leads to drafts, seepage and upkeep. Compare specification first, and treat the cheapest total with suspicion until you know what it leaves out.
Check that series, finish, glass build-up, hardware, installation scope and taxes match. If one quote names a system and another says aluminium sliding window, you are comparing different things. Ask each supplier to write the same fields.
You can order, but final measurement should happen after the openings and finishes are defined. Frames made from rough sizes are a common reason for remakes. Agree in writing who bears the cost of re-measurement or remanufacture.
It is not required, but operating a full-size unit tells you things photographs cannot: effort, noise, handle feel and sightline. Our showroom in Tilakwadi is set up for this. If you cannot travel, we can start with drawings and photos.
Two or three comparable ones are enough. More quotes without a common specification just produce more confusion. Write one specification, send it to each supplier and compare the answers.
Ask for two documents: the manufacturer’s product warranty and the installer’s workmanship terms. Check duration, exclusions, what voids them, and who services. We do not quote generic warranty periods, because terms depend on the system and project.
Some can: drains can be cleared, gaskets replaced, hardware adjusted. Others, such as wrong sizes or an unsuitable system, usually mean remaking. This is why the checks before ordering matter more than the fixes afterwards.

Related

Price guide

Cost factors.
View →

Glass guide

Glazing.
View →

Measuring

Measure openings.
View →

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Upload or send a competing quote through the request form and we will list the missing specification lines. Call +91 89704 69999 or visit the Tilakwadi showroom.
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