July 8, 2024
Do you know aluminum is one of the most plentiful metallic elements living in Earth's crust? Yet, it's a newer industrial material compared to other metals.
Despite that, aluminum's popularity has been rising rapidly over the past few decades. When crafting sturdy and stylish doors and windows, the material has begun to give tough competition to timber and PVC.
It may make you wonder how aluminum achieves this sleek, durable form. Since aluminum is not available in its natural form and is often merged with other materials, it's natural to be curious about its fabrication process.
To feed your curiosity, today's blog takes you through the 'behind the scenes' of creating aluminum windows and doors. Additionally, we discuss the benefits of aluminum windows and doors and their types.
So, if you have a soft spot for aluminum or plan to invest in aluminum doors and window designs, stick around to the end and enrich your knowledge of the aluminum manufacturing process!
Aluminum has become one of the most sought-after materials among renovators and homeowners for its seamless integration in numerous constructions. As a result, according to a Market Report by RationalStat, experts expect the aluminum doors and windows market to continue to grow and reach approximately US$75.5 billion by 2030.
But why? What makes aluminum desirable to thousands of homeowners? What are the reasons behind its soaring popularity?
Let's take a look at the benefits this fantastic material has to offer to understand its fame!
Aluminum is a highly resistant material. Despite being incredibly lightweight, it can withstand harsh sunlight and natural disasters. Moreover, unlike most other building materials, aluminum resists the signs of aging.
You will hardly notice any wear or tear even after years of use. Its resistance to oxidation and corrosion is one of the reasons why many prefer aluminum doors and windows for moisture-prone areas or marine environments.
Durability is one of the best perks of investing in an aluminum door. The material's high strength makes it virtually immune to deterioration. With the adequate aluminum doors and windows-making process, you can use this material to add an average of 50 to 60 years to your windows. On the contrary, PVC windows and doors last around 25 to 30 years.
Due to its incredible durability and lightness, aluminum allows manufacturers to craft exceptionally slim, elegant, and minimalist door and window frames. The material is perfect for homeowners who wish to maintain clean lines across their interior design. Alternatively, the same quality also lends itself to homes that want to display a strong character via industrial style or similar architecture.
The robustness of aluminum also makes it one of the few materials suitable for curtain walls or all-glass windows. These windows usually have a minimum dimension hardly exceeding 63 millimeters for refining their modern aesthetics. Therefore, they need a strong frame, and aluminum is perfect for that. Alternatively, aluminum frames are ideal for large windows that don't have mullions, making the material wonderfully versatile.
Aluminum's thermal break technology is a highly effective insulating material. Residing inside the window frame, the polyamide barrier allows the temperature to be non-conductivity between the inside and outside. This means the shivering temperature outside will not be able to contact or contaminate the warm temperature inside your house or vice versa. You won't have to deal with condensation blurring your view from the window, eliminating the risk of mold growth.
Furthermore, if the aluminum doors and windows-making process involves installing HES or high-energy-saving technology, you can enjoy maximum insulation alongside efficient energy savings. You will be saving a considerable amount on your heating and cooling bills.
Besides keeping you cozy, aluminum door and window frames are impeccable sound insulation instruments. The same technology that keeps the outside weather away from your home also keeps the space calm and noise-free. However, to maximize aluminum's soundproofing properties, you must combine your windows or doors with double or triple-glazed glasses.
Several factors determine a window or door frame's ability to resist outside force or break-ins. Depending on the quality of the aluminum, all the hardware, and glazing, the material can deliver top-notch security against break-in attempts. Aluminum is a robust material that's difficult to damage. Also, you can level up the security measures by equipping the windows with burglar-proof systems.
Popular door and window materials like PVC and wood are vulnerable to fire damage. One of the greatest advantages of aluminum doors and windows is that the metal is non-combustible. Classified as fire class A1, aluminum does not contribute to spreading fire. On top of that, it doesn't release any harmful emissions when in contact with high-heat sources.
Aluminum is not only naturally available but 100% recyclable. You can recycle this material infinitely without compromising its quality. Also, recycled aluminum tends to be more reasonably priced. The environmentally friendly material doesn't release toxic substances, saves energy, and lasts a lifetime.
In addition to being durable and lightweight, aluminum is well-known for being a malleable material. You can cut and bend it in numerous ways to customize it to your needs. Aluminum also allows you to tailor your windows and doors in colors and shades. The material enables you to effortlessly meet all your aesthetic and architectural needs.
Its low-maintenance requirements are another quality that distinguishes aluminum from other window and door materials. Aluminum doors and windows need no special maintenance or cleaning procedures. You can tidy them up with water, a neutral detergent, and a clean, soft cloth. This material's low maintenance requirement is one of the driving factors behind the size of the aluminum doors and windows market.
Due to the thinness of aluminum, its casement doors have low thresholds. It reduces obstacles to a minimum, breaks down architectural barriers, and makes movements easy for everyone, whether walking or in a wheelchair.
The first step of installing aluminum windows and doors is determining your preferred design, color, and functionality for the elements. We recommend starting with an assessment of your property's needs. Then, set up a budget and familiarize yourself with all the different types of aluminum doors and windows.
To help you, here, we present a list of the most well-known aluminum door and window types for security, aesthetics, and durability.
If you opt for an open-plan house or have a small room that needs a bit of sunlight, glass-to-glass windows with aluminum frames are your perfect choice. With this style, the aluminum panel is attached to the walls at 90-degree angles. The absence of a mullion in between will make the room appear airy, bigger, and illuminated.
The turn-and-tilt custom aluminum windows and doors allow you to open the top sash of the structure. This is perfect for brightening up the home, letting natural air inside, and maintaining an open, airy feel throughout the room.
Are you skimming for a pair of beautifully framed floor-to-ceiling windows? Then, the French aluminum windows might be your ideal choice. You can install them as a large casement style without making your space appear loud. Plus, their unique mechanisms allow you to open them both inwards and outwards.
As the name suggests, these windows hung from the top of the walls instead of attaching to them by their sides. These are perfect for tiny homes and floors at a height. Top-hung windows are outstanding at preventing noise pollution.
Alternatively, small spaces can benefit from aluminum sliding windows as well. The thin sliding windows allow users to install them as wall windows or at full height. Furthermore, you can make them appear bolder by applying a protective coat of paint.
If you are looking for commercial aluminum window frames, side-hung windows can be a suitable choice. These windows are highly effective at protecting you from noise and air pollution. They can also restrict heat and cold waves into the space.
Tilt and slide aluminum doors are popular among homeowners because they effectively fight sound waves and protect homes from weather conditions. You can open these doors inwards or outwards to let natural air and light in.
Suitable for oddly shaped spaces, lift-and-slide aluminum doors offer expansive openings. They can be installed straight, bent, or in a corner. For the utmost security, these doors can also be locked from the inside and the outside.
Another flexible aluminum door design is the slide-and-fold door. These doors can be folded into multiple layers and opened and locked from indoors or outdoors.
Like the slide and fold doors, the aluminum commercial doors can consist of multiple panels stacked against each other. It establishes a seamless connection between the outdoor and indoor spaces, providing unobstructed views, modern aesthetics, and excellent insulation.
Well-known for their classic appearance, aluminum French doors are a timeless home choice. With two hinges, these doors open outwards and inwards to offer unmatched flexibility. The glass panels enhance natural light in the space while providing top-notch security. Also, these doors require minimum maintenance, making them perfect for homeowners with busy lifestyles.
Instead of having hinges on the side, these aluminum doors pivot on a central axis. Loved for their contemporary and unique design, aluminum pivot doors are easy to operate, built to last, and offer high-end aesthetics.
You have probably noticed by now that glass is the most common material used with aluminum door and window frames.
The type of glass you choose will play a vital role in ensuring your windows' architectural aesthetics and security. Therefore, it is essential to understand the details of your options and make an informed choice.
The following are some of the most popular glass options for aluminum doors and windows that professionals have recommended.
Float glass, made from high-quality molten glass, has a uniform thickness and a flat surface. Its satisfying smooth surface gives it a classic appearance and makes it ideal for different doors and windows.
Float glasses are strong, durable, and dense. Also, these glasses are well known for their energy-saving qualities. You can quickly turn a float glass into a low-E glass with a single coat of metal oxides.
Laminated glasses are remarkably durable. They consist of multiple layers of glass and resin, mostly polyvinyl butyral (PVB). The strong bond between the glass layers and resin makes it hard for the glass to shatter, and even when these glasses break, they remain contained.
Laminated glasses create a strong barrier against break-ins. Additionally, they offer soundproofing benefits and reduce transmission of UV rays.
Toughened or tempered glass is one of the best glasses to pair with custom aluminum windows and doors. These safety glasses undergo thermal tempering to create a robust barrier against external forces.
Tempered glasses have an unmatched ability to withstand harsh weather conditions, scratches, and wear and tear.
Double-glazed glasses for windows or doors generally consist of multiple glass panes and an air-sealed space separating them. These glasses are well known for their energy efficiency, temperature control, and noise reduction abilities. They are certainly better at improving indoor ambiance than single-glazed glasses.
These glasses are similar to single-glazed glass but with an extra pane. Triple-glazed glasses are even better at providing energy efficiency. They are also outstanding at protecting indoors against noise pollution. However, triple-glazed glasses can be a bit more expensive and may slightly prevent the entry of natural light.
If you wish to buy aluminum windows and doors tailored to your home, try decorative or frosted glasses. These glasses are easy to customize and good at adding aesthetic appeal to the window. They meet various design preferences, provide unmatched privacy, and allow natural light while concealing views.
Tinted glasses are ideal for reducing the light passing through the window. They are an appropriate choice if you aim to reduce heat transmission. They can help minimize glare and UV rays and protect your indoor furniture and decorations from fading.
Low-emission glasses feature a thin film that reflects heat back into the property. This is another energy-efficient choice that enhances thermal efficiency and reduces UV rays.
Windows and doors come in a variety of materials these days. Each material has distinct qualities, price ranges, strength, and durability. However, you can't utilize most of these materials yearly due to extreme weather variations.
Fortunately, modern aluminum windows and doors do not fall into the same category. This metal is well-known for standing up to harsh weather conditions. It's durable, versatile, affordable, and has many styles. That's not all!
Aluminum's flexibility makes it easy to turn it into windows, doors, and frames. With little skill and the correct quality of material, customizing aluminum windows or doors is a straightforward process.
Below, we offer a sneak peek into what goes on during aluminum windows and doors manufacturing.
The first step is determining clients' precise requirements. The manufacturer you hire will inquire about your preferences and budget and measure the space.
Next, the professionals will design your aluminum door and window frame. They will evaluate your window's best shape, color, and ornamentation to ensure a design that suits your property. The goal is to ensure you receive an aesthetically stunning, functional, and reasonably priced design.
Once the design is approved, the next step is to establish the foundation for the aluminum door and window manufacturing process. Manufacturers create aluminum profiles through a process known as extrusion.
Extrusion refers to heating aluminum billets to the correct temperature to force the softened material through a die-shaped opening. Through this process, manufacturers give the aluminum the desired shape and form various profiles with different cross sections, including mullions, sashes, and frames.
To learn more about aluminum profiles and extrusion, check out our latest guide on aluminum profiles.
After giving it the preferred shape, professionals extrude and cool down the profiles and prepare them for cutting. This is a critical phase since manufacturers must be extra careful to ensure they follow the client's measurements. They cut each piece to the lengths required for the windows or doors. Then, they use mechanical fasteners or welding machines to assemble the various pieces according to the design.
Typically, surface treatment refers to processes such as powder coating and anodizing. Powder coating involves applying colored powder on the aluminum frames via an electrostatic process. Anodizing, on the other hand, consists of creating a protective layer on the surface of the commercial aluminum window frames.
Since raw aluminum can be vulnerable to corrosion, when you buy aluminum windows and doors, ensure they have undergone proper surface treatment.
If you opt for glass panes, this is the stage where your hired professionals will set them up within the newly made frames. They may use gaskets, sealants, silicone, or other materials to hold the glass. It's also the stage to finalize whether you desire double-pane, single-pane, or specialized glazing for sound insulation and energy efficiency.
The last step of the building process is hardware installation. Manufacturers will add the essential components to the windows and doors, such as handles, hinges, locks, and weather-stripping. These parts will essentially determine the level of functionality and security you can get from your doors and windows.
Most reputed manufacturers check the quality of their products before shipping them to the installation site. It generally involves putting the frames through quality control inspections, ensuring they are free from defects and satisfy all the applicable industry standards and the customers' wishes.
Finally, your aluminum window and door frames are ready to leave the manufacturing facility and adorn your property. Manufacturers usually arrange for transportation and assist with the installation process. They also ensure that your products are safe during the journey to avert any risks of damage.
High-quality aluminum windows and doors offer countless benefits for homeowners, from minimum maintenance requirements to dependable protection against external forces. The material can withstand years of wear and tear and save you a considerable amount on your electricity bills. Plus, aluminum is easy to access and affordable.
So, if you are ready to embrace the perks of aluminum window and door installation, contact Techno Home today. We offer high-quality, energy-efficient aluminum windows and doors that reduce noise pollution. Through tested and proven methods, we create products that meet your expectations and exceed them.
Contact us today to learn more about manufacturing processes, services, and products!
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