Are Aluminium Windows are Doors a Better Investment
Aluminium has been the go-to product for architects designing window frames in new houses for at least the last couple of decades. Architect designed modern properties in Anthracite grey, triple glazed aluminium frames have come a very long way since their inception in the late 1970s.
If you are as old as me you might recall that original aluminium framed products just looked like a strip of metal, fitted within a hardwood timber frame, they were single glazed, didn’t close properly, and streamed with condensation. It still puzzles me why they were so popular at the time !!
Thankfully Aluminium windows and doors have come a long way since then. Available a standard range of white, black, and anthracite grey options where you can have the external and internal colour different from each other, aluminium frames are the architect’s choice due to their sleek, slim lines helping create stylish exterior facades.
A lot of architect-designed houses come with bi-fold doors, which Realistic only provide using aluminium – PVCu is not an option we will even consider for our clients.
Quite simple the frames are stronger than PVCu or timber as they are made from metal, this means less is needed to hold in the glass and hardware. Aluminium is naturally strong, meaning you don’t require a bulky frame support, which architects as well as clients love. By maximising the glass area, you the best possible viewing platform.
Our clients love the modern look because sight lines are slimmer, giving you an increase glazed area.
The fact that you get to use more glass is a massive benefit to some people. Most of your window will be glass, not frame, and combined with high grade triple glazing is therefore more thermally efficient.
Advancements in thermal technology now mean that aluminium windows and doors are among the best-insulated on the market, owing to the inclusion of internal thermal breaks.
When the ambient temperature changes uPVC/Timber products can expand and contract, whereas aluminium is highly stable, neither expanding nor contracting, this allows for larger opening configuration on doors.
Requiring very little maintenance, aluminium doors and windows are durable, strong, and highly corrosion resistant. They don’t need painting or in the case of timber staining to keep them weatherproof, and they won’t rust, corrode, rot, peel, or flake.
Some older properties have Crittall steel-framed windows which look great but don’t perform as well as their aluminium counterparts when it comes to retaining heat or eliminating drafts.
Did you know?
Whilst aluminium frames generally cost more than PVCu, it’s a little know fact that they are cheaper than timber
Aluminium profiles are insulated with a polyamide core, designed specifically to prevent heat transfer through the frame
Double glazed units come standard with a 20mm argon gas filled gap
Triple glazing provides better heat retention as well as greater noise reduction
Low Emissivity glass reflects heat back into the room whilst Low-iron outer glass pane improves window clarity
Double gasket seals help improve weather resistance
Corrosion-proof paint finishes comply with British Standards for weather performance
Multi-point locking systems provides you with lockable ventilation
Window and doors must with Building Regulations when you replace them
Aluminium frames have an extended frame warranty
Aluminium products are fully recyclable without the loss of quality, so technically they can be melted down and made into windows again and again.
