What is a clad wood window?
A clad wood window has wood on the inside and an aluminum shell on the outside. Sun says its clad-wood windows “feature wood interiors with extruded aluminum-clad exteriors.” Bertrand calls its Alutrend Classic “an advanced wood-aluminum window system that blends the beauty of natural wood with the durability of aluminum.” See wood-clad window and aluminum clad.
The wood is what you see and touch. The aluminum faces the weather. Cladding means less exterior upkeep than bare wood.
Why does clad wood suit Texas sun and heat?
The shell takes the sun, wind and rain instead of the wood. Sun says the heavy-gauge aluminum extrusions “serve as a protective barrier against the elements of nature.” Sun finishes the aluminum with “High Durability Powder Coating.” Powder coat is a dry paint that is baked on.
Ask each maker how to care for the wood inside. Pair the frame with Low-E glass and check the SHGC for west and south walls. See energy-efficient windows for Texas.
What does Bertrand offer?
Bertrand, in Luzino, Poland, builds two clad wood families that matter here.
Alutrend (wood-aluminum):
- Classic: pine, meranti or oak inside, with a frame depth up to 90 mm. Bertrand lists Uw of 1.1 to 1.2 W/(m²K).
- Passive Classic: Bertrand says it is “a certified component of Passivhaus Institut.” That is the passive house standard body.
- Retro: three depths: Standard, XL (93.5 mm) and MAX (107.5 mm).
Synergic (wood with an aluminum cover):
- Species: pine, spruce, larch, meranti, oak and mahogany. Hemlock or walnut on request.
- Bertrand lists a U factor of 0.16 with triple glazing and 0.26 with double glazing, “confirmed by NFRC.” See how to read an NFRC label.
- Warranty: 5 years. Burglary resistance up to RC2 class.
- Exterior colors: any RAL, in structure or matte.
Bertrand ships from Poland and lists no U.S. subsidiary. See the Bertrand partner page.
What does Sun offer?
Sun’s USA / Clad Wood line is built in Owensboro, Kentucky. Its series features are an extruded aluminum exterior, a clear pine interior, an integral nailing fin, a powder coated exterior finish, Low-E insulated glass and argon-filled airspace. Sun says the pine can be stained, painted or left unfinished for you or a painter.
Sun makes casement, double hung and fixed styles in clad wood. See casement and awning windows, double hung windows and the Sun Windows partner page. Sun publishes no U-factors on the pages we read, so ask for the NFRC data.
What warranty terms does Sun publish?
Sun’s warranty page lists these terms for its clad wood residential products. Read the full text for conditions and for other lines, which differ.
| Component | Published term |
|---|---|
| Insulated glass seal | 20 years |
| Powder coat finish, D2000 | 20 years |
| Powder coat finish, D3000 | 30 years |
| Wood structural stability | 10 years |
| Non-electrical hardware | 10 years |
Sun says the warranty “extends to the owner of the structure in which the products are originally installed and is fully transferable.” Bertrand publishes 5 years for Synergic only.
How do Bertrand and Sun compare?
| Bertrand Alutrend / Synergic | Sun USA Clad Wood | |
|---|---|---|
| Interior wood | Pine, meranti, oak (Alutrend); six species (Synergic) | Clear pine |
| Exterior | Aluminum, RAL colors | Extruded aluminum, powder coat |
| Published U-factor | Synergic 0.16 triple, 0.26 double (NFRC) | None on pages read |
| Published warranty | 5 years (Synergic) | Glass 20, finish 20 or 30, wood 10, hardware 10 years |
| Made in | Poland | Kentucky |
Are clad wood windows right for a historic home?
They often are. The wood interior, slim sash and divided lite options suit older designs. A certificate of appropriateness may be required in a historic district. Read windows in Dallas historic districts and compare clad wood vs steel vs aluminum frames.
What should you ask before ordering?
- Which wood species and interior finish, and can I see a sample?
- Which exterior color, and what is the finish warranty?
- What are the NFRC U-factor and SHGC for my glass?
- What is the lead time, and who installs?
- What does the written warranty say about stains, fading and glass?
How do you finish the wood inside?
Sun’s pine is “ideally suited for staining or painting.” You can have the windows delivered with no interior finish, so you or a painter can stain or paint them. Sun also offers factory priming and painting in its standard interior colors. Bertrand’s Alutrend Classic offers wood painted with transparent paints, which show the grain, or with opaque paints from the RAL color palette. Its aluminum overlays can be painted in a decor that imitates wood or in uniform RAL colors.
Interior color also affects how the window reads from the street and from the room. Match trim, doors and floors before you lock the stain. Ask for samples in the room’s light. Wood color shifts with stain, and a sample on a table can look different on a west wall.
How do clad wood windows compare with steel and aluminum?
Clad wood gives a warm interior and a metal exterior. Steel and aluminum give the slimmest sightlines. The right choice depends on style and care.
- Clad wood: warm interior, classic or modern shapes, many species.
- Steel: very narrow frames, industrial or modern look. See steel windows.
- Aluminum: slim frames and many colors. See aluminum windows.
Passive house needs are a special case. Bertrand lists Alutrend Passive Classic as a certified component of Passivhaus Institut. Ask whether that fits your project and your local code.
Next step
Tell us the style of your home and the finish you want. We will pair it with Bertrand or Sun. See all windows or start your project. Call (214) 484-9982.
Questions people ask
What is a clad wood window?
It is a window with a wood frame and sash inside and an aluminum shell outside. Sun describes its line as wood interiors with extruded aluminum-clad exteriors. You get a stainable or paintable wood surface indoors and a weather-facing metal shell outdoors.
Which wood species can I choose?
Bertrand's Alutrend offers pine, meranti or oak. Synergic offers pine, spruce, larch, meranti, oak and mahogany, with hemlock or walnut on request. Sun's USA Clad Wood line uses a clear pine interior that you can stain or paint.
What does Sun's warranty cover on clad wood windows?
Sun's warranty page lists 20 years on the insulated glass seal, 20 or 30 years on the powder coat finish (D2000 or D3000), 10 years on wood structure and 10 years on non-electrical hardware. Read the full warranty for conditions.
What warranty does Bertrand publish?
Bertrand's only published term is 5 years on Synergic. Its FAQ says all products have a warranty that covers manufacturing defects, with length and terms that vary by product. Ask for the written warranty for the exact line.
How do clad wood windows handle Texas sun?
The aluminum shell takes the sun and weather instead of the wood. Sun says the cladding is a protective barrier against the elements. Pick a color with the powder coat in mind, and pair it with Low-E glass to cut heat gain.
Are clad wood windows right for historic homes?
They often are, because the wood interior and slim profiles suit older styles. Districts may review exterior changes, though. Read our guide to windows in Dallas historic districts and confirm with the city before you order.
Terms on this page
Sources
- Bertrand: Alutrend Classic (what it is)
- Bertrand: Alutrend Classic (wood)
- Bertrand: Alutrend Classic (depth)
- Bertrand: Alutrend Passive Classic
- Bertrand: Alutrend Retro
- Bertrand: Synergic (what it is)
- Bertrand: Synergic (U-factor)
- Bertrand: Synergic (warranty)
- Bertrand: Synergic (security)
- Bertrand: Synergic (species)
- Bertrand: FAQ (warranty)
- Sun Windows: Clad wood
- Sun Windows: Clad wood (cladding)
- Sun Windows: Exterior colors
- Sun Windows: Warranty (glass)
- Sun Windows: Warranty (finish)
- Sun Windows: Warranty (wood)
- Sun Windows: Warranty (hardware)
- Sun Windows: Warranty (transfer)
Product facts come from each maker’s own published pages, checked on November 5, 2026. Makers change their lines, so confirm details for your project with Honey Rock Window and Door.
