This is why you can't say "no" to aluminium windows and doors

Options are good, without them any designer can feel restricted and limited. When it comes to windows and doors, there are many material options. Timber, steel ,PVC, aluminium – realistically you can make a window out of anything you please.

Every material has strengths and weaknesses and will offer different applications various advantages, however, aluminium is one consistently favoured window material. The reason for its popularity? Let’s delve a little deeper and explore exactly why architects, builders and even home owners can’t say no to specifying aluminium windows and doors.

Flexible

Aluminium windows and doors can be made into custom shapes and sizes, allowing architects to enjoy almost endless design options, limited only by their imaginations. EDGE Architectural aluminium window and doors offer unprecedented flexibility with U-MAX™, MAX™ and GEN™. These suites were developed and tested for strength, reliability, longevity and energy efficiency, but also for elegance, aesthetic and flexibility. Front, centre and offset glazed systems can be reversed and combined to change the glass plane. MAX™, double glazed systems, U-MAX™, thermally broken systems and GEN single glazed suites are interchangeable, providing opportunity to maintain visual unity and achieve desired energy ratings across different façades. Aluminium windows and doors can powder coated or anodised, meaning almost any colour finish is potentially available, further enhancing aluminium’s design flexibility.

Comfortable

Aluminium, when thermally broken offers end users exceptional interior comfort levels. Combined with strong double glazed specification, thermally broken aluminium frames dramatically reduce transference of heat from inside out. Interior comfort is important all year round. During summer, thermally broken aluminium reduces interior transoms and mullions from fostering heat from outside. In winter, less cold is transferred via mullions and transoms, keeping inside temperatures warmer.

Interior comfort should never be underestimated, not only do humans feel better when inside rooms that maintain enjoyable temperatures, we also feel better in spaces that don’t require extreme levels of artificial heating and cooling. The U-MAX™ thermal break range offers high energy ratings, changing from double glazed to thermally broken gives approximately a 15 percent improvement in U value.

Thermal imaging camera showing temperature transfer outside to inside through thermally broken U-MAX™ sliding door.

Thermal imaging camera showing temperature transfer outside to inside through thermally broken U-MAX™ sliding door.

Thermal imaging camera showing temperature transfer outside to inside through energy efficient glass.

Thermal imaging camera showing temperature transfer outside to inside through energy efficient glass.

Sustainable

Today, approximately 13 million metric tons of aluminium are used in construction per year. In contrast to many other building materials, which mostly go into landfills after demolition of the structure, aluminium may be recycled for economical and environmental sustainability. Since the 1980s, the aluminium recycling industry has nearly quadrupled its annual output of metal from post-consumer scrap. Aluminium is sourced from primary aluminium and recycled aluminium. Recycling is critical to sustainable development by allowing resources to be saved and waste reduced. Used aluminium can be easily and endlessly recycled without quality loss.

Did you know the actual aluminium extrusion process does not create emissions of any kind? Neither does cutting, milling, drilling or machining aluminium.

Low maintenance

Unlike timber and some other window and door materials aluminium is relatively low maintenance once fabricated and installed. No regular painting or re-touching is required and windows won’t warp or rot. Maintaining aluminium is dependant on how it’s finished and project location. Powder coating and anodising both have recommended cleaning intervals where light washing with warm water is needed to maintain a fresh factory finish.

Discover when you should be cleaning your windows and doors by downloading an Ai finish selector here. 

Durable

A major advantage of aluminium windows is the strength of the metal. Aluminium window frame systems are strong but still lightweight, making them an ideal choice for commercial construction since the 1960s. Corrosion resilient with no risk of warping, aluminium is selected for harsh atmospheric conditions because of its durability compared to other window and door materials.