Windows near the sea: PVC or aluminium?
The short answer: both materials work on the seafront, but only if they are specified properly. PVC does not corrode and insulates better; aluminium allows slimmer frames and large sliding doors, but needs a coating prepared for a marine environment. What really fails by the sea is usually the hardware, the screws and a lack of maintenance.
Updated 21/10/2026 · Factory prices without VAT, fitting or transport
What the sea does to a window
- Salt air: sea air carries salt that settles on frames, hardware and tracks. Combined with humidity, it attacks unprotected metal.
- Strong sun: UV light fades and ages surfaces, especially on south- and west-facing walls.
- Wind and sand: the easterly levante pushes water and sand into seals and sliding-door tracks.
- Humidity: encourages condensation in winter and corrosion of screws and hinges.
PVC and aluminium by the sea
| PVC | Thermal-break aluminium | |
|---|---|---|
| Salt air | Does not corrode | Well protected if the coating is prepared for a marine environment |
| Sun | White copes very well; dark colours get hotter | Powder-coated colour is very stable in the sun |
| Insulation | Very good as standard | Good with a thermal break |
| Large sliding doors | Up to medium sizes | Ideal for large panels and slim frames |
| Maintenance | Wash with water | Rinse with fresh water more often |
| Indicative price 1200 × 1200 mm, 2 panels | €365 – 500 | €470 – 645 |
What to ask for if you live near the sea
- Corrosion-resistant hardware and screws. This is the part that suffers most: ask what the hinges, locks and screws are made of.
- For aluminium, a coating with marine-grade pre-treatment. Not all coatings are the same; ask for it to be stated in the quote.
- Good drainage in sliding doors. The drain slots must carry water and sand outside.
- Glass suited to the orientation. On south- and west-facing walls, solar-control glass reduces summer heat.
- Light colours in PVC if the window gets direct sun for many hours.
Maintenance: 15 minutes every few months
- Rinse frames and tracks with fresh water and a soft cloth, no abrasive products.
- Clean the drain slots of sliding doors: if sand blocks them, water gets in. See windows leaking in heavy rain.
- Put a few drops of lubricant on locks and hinges once or twice a year.
- Check the seals: if they are hard or cracked, they can be replaced without changing the window.
Signs that salt air is already affecting your windows
- White powder or rust spots on hinges, locks or screws.
- Sashes that are hard to move, or sliding doors that drag and squeak in the track.
- Paint lifting at the corners of an old aluminium frame.
- Hard or cracked seals that no longer seal: air, dust and, with an easterly wind, water get in.
- Fogging between the two panes: the double glazing has lost its seal.
Often replacing the hardware or the seals is enough. If the frames are old and have no thermal break, replacing the whole window usually pays off more.
So which one?
- PVC for the best insulation and lowest maintenance in a flat or house with normal-sized windows.
- Thermal-break aluminium for large sliding doors, slim frames or dark colours with sea views.
- Either way, the hardware, the coating and the fitting make the difference.
Still unsure? Our “PVC or aluminium?” test gives a recommendation in 4 questions. See also PVC windows and aluminium windows.
How we help
- We make everything in our workshop in San Fulgencio, a few kilometres from the sea, and fit it with our own team.
- Free measuring visit within 30 km of the workshop and a fixed price after measuring.
- We work in Torrevieja, Guardamar, Orihuela Costa, Santa Pola and along the Vega Baja coast. We speak English.
Frequently asked questions
Does aluminium corrode near the sea?
Well-coated aluminium with a pre-treatment designed for a marine environment resists very well. Problems usually come from coatings that are not prepared for the coast, chipped paint, or hardware and screws that are not corrosion-resistant.
Does PVC turn yellow in the sun?
Quality PVC with UV stabilisers keeps its colour for many years. Dark foiled profiles get hotter in the sun, so on very exposed walls we recommend light colours.
How often should seafront windows be cleaned?
Ideally rinse frames, tracks and hardware with fresh water every few months and check the sliding-door drains before the rainy season.
Which is cheaper?
For the same size, PVC is cheaper: a two-panel 1200 × 1200 mm window costs €365 – 500 in PVC and €470 – 645 in thermal-break aluminium, ex-works.
Is it worth replacing old aluminium windows on the seafront?
If they are aluminium without a thermal break, with rusty hardware and single glazing, usually yes: you gain insulation, less noise and less maintenance. If the frame is sound, sometimes replacing the hardware, seals or glass is enough.
Living near the sea?
Get a price in a minute or send us photos on WhatsApp: we will tell you which material and finish suit your home.