There are many different types of aluminium window options available. There are a few things that you need to consider to make sure that you get the best aluminium door and window solution for your home and your needs.
You can choose from various opening styles and glazing types. Three important factors to consider are practicability, safety, and functionality. Keep reading to find out what our range of aluminium windows includes.
Why Choose Aluminium Windows?
Aluminium windows are durable (lasting up to 40 years), low maintenance, weather and rust resistant, energy efficient with thermally broken frames, and available in almost any colour. Their strength allows slim frames with more glass, and many systems meet PAS 24 security standards. Learn more in what are aluminium windows?
Aluminium windows have been gaining popularity as more and more homeowners want them in their homes. They are easy to maintain, durable enough to last up to 40 years, look fantastic, and you can be as creative as you'd like regarding colours, styles, and finishes.
Modern aluminium windows are weather-resistant, lightweight, and significantly increase your home's energy efficiency, while also resisting rust and rot, including in coastal areas. modern aluminium window systems also appeal to architects because of their colour friendliness, insulation properties and aesthetics. Many aluminium windows also meet PAS 24 security standards, and reinforced hardware helps protect against forced entry.
Aluminium windows are also often used due to their flexibility and malleability. Aluminium may be extruded into malleable, intricate cross-sections to facilitate construction.
Continuous round, hollow extrusions are frequently introduced in aluminium cross-sections. They are also known as screw splines. This is to unite horizontal and vertical frame parts.
What Are the Different Types of Aluminium Windows?
The main types of aluminium windows for UK homes are tilt and turn, flush casement, standard casement (side-hung or top-hung), sliding and fixed windows, each available with double or triple glazing. How each one opens affects ventilation, security, cleaning and how much glass you get.
The following are the different types of aluminium windows, usually categorized by how they open and function. The main window styles include casement, sliding, tilt-and-turn, awning, and fixed, and each window type comes with its own key features to suit different homes and preferences.
Take a look at the following:
What Are Tilt and Turn Windows?
Tilt-and-turn windows can tilt inward for ventilation or swing inward for a full opening. Compared with other opening options, they open inwards while most windows open outwards, which makes them a secure choice for high-value properties and the right style where versatility matters.
A small part of the window can be left open for extra ventilation during the night. This type of window is also great in smaller rooms like bathrooms. Tilt and turn windows are great for vertical and horizontal movement, allowing tons of air in.
These are great windows for homes that do not have much outdoor space since they open inwards. They can be tilted inward or swung inward like a door and are also easy to clean.
What Are Flush Casement Windows?
With flush casement windows, the sash is closed, meaning that it sits flush in the window frame, creating a flat surface on the outer side. This type of window is often used in homes with a contemporary appearance because they look less bulky and sleeker than standard casement windows, making them a strong fit for contemporary buildings and contemporary designs. Their flatter frame profile also supports a modern aesthetic.
Aluminium flush casement windows are more practical for retaining warmth and preventing draughts. This type of window also adds some extra security, along with its incredible energy efficiency.
Flush casement windows are often made using polyamide thermal breaks to enhance the U value (see what is the U-value of a window?), reduce heat transfer, and improve thermal efficiency by lowering thermal transmittance. This window is very low maintenance and easy to clean, while slim sightlines can also create more glass and more light.
What Are Aluminium Casement Windows?
Casement windows are hinged at the side (side-hung) or top (top-hung) and open outwards like a door. They are the most common window type in UK homes, offering good ventilation, simple operation and secure multi-point locking.
Casement windows are perfect for homes positioned at an angle to the wind direction. Aluminium casement windows are the most common type in the UK. These windows work well and have great ventilation.
This window is hinged on the side or top and can open outward or inward depending on the design. You can easily open these windows at an angle to funnel some air into the house. Casement windows also provide better security as the lock is correctly mounted into the window frame. All of the hooks are shaped.
This window is also referred to as a side-hung or top-hung window. Sashes refer to all of the opening sections that swing outwards from the window's outer frame. Aluminium casement windows come in two forms, top-hung and side-hung.
The sashes on the side-hung windows open to the right and left. In contrast, the sashes on the top-hung windows are attached to the very top part of the outer frame and open out upwards. This type of window has been designed to provide excellent control over rain, wind, and ventilation.
They are very helpful when built on a building's weather-facing side since they prevent rain from entering and let you regulate the wind that enters. You may either have them partially open to allow for air circulation or fully open to 90 degrees.
You can open them up at the appropriate angle during a downpour to let the breeze in but keep the rain out. These kinds of windows are ideal if you wish to cool your house by using cross ventilation.
Casement windows come in sizes up to 2.4 m wide and 1.8 m tall. Their maximum sash dimensions are 1200 mm tall by 600 mm wide. Additionally, you might add top lights or sidelights to these windows. They work nicely in areas like your living room, bedroom, kitchen, and home office.
How Do Horizontal Sliding Aluminium Windows Work?
These aluminium sliding windows consist of one or more panels that slide horizontally along tracks, making them simple to use. One of the most popular forms of light metal windows, they are easy to operate.
You could combine sliding windows with the appropriate glazing options to modify their insulation capabilities and overall energy efficiency, and the right glass options should suit the window system. This will significantly reduce the cost of your energy bills. Because they require so few parts to assemble, maintaining these windows is simple and can deliver long-term cost savings.
Sliding windows are discretely designed, especially when there isn't enough room for the sashes to expand outwards. They come in a variety of basic sizes that vary from 3 meters wide to 1.5 meters high, but bigger custom sizes are also available.
We provide a variety of sliding window systems. Some with slender profiles and others with bulkier profiles. This way, you can select the system that is most appropriate for your home, while aluminium sash windows are a more specialist type.
Fixed-pane windows, folding doors or sliding doors can all be placed adjacent to sliding windows. There won’t be any noticeable gaps because they work perfectly together.You could also couple this type of window up with top lights or side lights.
Do You Need Triple Glazed Aluminium Windows?
Most UK homes don't need triple glazing, because modern double glazed aluminium windows meet Building Regulations. Triple glazing suits colder or exposed locations, north-facing rooms and homes aiming for very low energy use, and it also improves noise reduction. Triple glazed aluminium windows cost around £500 per m².
Triple glazing is also available and is perfect for those living in colder climates. For most homes double glazed is enough - but triple-glazed glass can be great for certain window types.
For the windows that face the road, some people decide to use laminated double glazing to lessen the noise from the traffic. Modern homes typically have double-glazed external windows to help keep the inside warmer and drier.
How Do Double Glazed Aluminium Windows Work?
Compared to single-glazing, double-glazed windows offer more insulation from the outside environment because they are constructed with two layers of glass and an air space that is either sealed or insulated in between.
An inert gas, such as argon or krypton, can be introduced to the air space to further improve insulation. When comparing glass options in the UK, check the U-value – the lower the figure, the better the window insulates.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Aluminium Windows?
Pros: slim frames with more glass, a 30–50 year lifespan, low maintenance, strength, security and recyclability. Cons: a higher upfront cost than uPVC, heat loss through frames without a thermal break, and possible condensation or leaks if seals and drainage aren't maintained.
Aluminium windows are perfect for all interior spaces, offering more durability and a sleeker look than upvc windows or timber while staying relatively low maintenance. Some systems also combine aluminium with timber for better insulation. However, like most things, they do have their pros and cons.
What Are the Advantages of Aluminium Windows?
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Aluminium frames and windows are well suited for contemporary and traditionally designed homes. They can add a very impressive appearance and are generally more attractive. Aluminium window and door frames are also suitable for commercial buildings.
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Aluminium door frames and window frames are available in powder-coated and anodized finishes. Both are very durable and require little to no maintenance.
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Certain windows made of aluminium can be recycled fairly easily. This makes it an excellent material to use when creating an environmentally friendly window. Aluminium sliding windows or any other type of aluminium window can help you reduce your negative impact on our environment and improve your sustainability.
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Aluminium windows are very strong in resilience but are light in weight at the same time. They also have a very long lifespan of about 30 to 50 years or longer if properly cared for and maintained.
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Aluminium does not corrode very easily. It might have a slight impact of corrosion after a few years, but it is not common. Essentially they have corrosion resistance.
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Aluminium windows, along with aluminium doors, are very easy to maintain. The window will require a powder coating or anodizing after long periods of use. We also have advice on sealing aluminium doors and windows and removing scratches from aluminium frames.
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With their little maintenance, aluminium windows also do not attract any pests, termites, or any other sort of insect. Which means no need to call pest control.
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The material does not swell or shrink, making them very easy to operate all year round, no matter the season.
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Due to their high-strength frame sections, the frames can stay slim while maintaining structural integrity, which allows larger glazed areas for more natural light and greater aesthetic appeal.
- They offer good long-term value, as their lifespan and low maintenance offset a higher upfront price than uPVC.
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An aluminium window can be much more energy efficient and soundproof with double or triple glazing and gas or airstrips. The extra use of toughened glass, along with multi-point locking systems, will offer more protection and high security. These features may make costs higher, though.
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Most aluminium windows are made in a factory. So their construction is faster and their installation time is quick and easy. This means they require less involvement from skilled workers and labourers.
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There are different aluminium window opening types. For example, windows and doors can also include bi-fold windows with hinged panels that create a large opening.
What Are the Disadvantages of Aluminium Windows?
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Lower-grade powder coatings can fade or chalk after many years of strong sunlight, so choose a system with a quality-assured finish such as Qualicoat.
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The drawback of aluminium, according to "Madan Mehta" (Author of Building Construction Principles, Materials, System), is its low R-value (R-value is a measurement of heat resistance). The problem has been improved, though, with the latest introduction of thermally enhanced (also known as thermally fractured and more thermally efficient) aluminium frames.
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Heat is well-conducted by aluminium, so in a cold climate heat can transfer out through the frame.
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It is laborious to clean the inside of a small space, especially when there is a lot of dust. To speed up the process, you can use a vacuum cleaner.
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You might experience leaks in wet weather. The seals between aluminium frames and the surrounding brickwork or render may let in water if the sealant isn't waterproof. Using silicone sealants and suitable equipment, such as sealant guns, is crucial.
Aluminium Window Types FAQs
How many types of aluminium frames are there?
Standard designs for aluminium window frames include sash, tilt-and-turn, casement, sliding and top-hung (awning) windows, which are hinged at the top and open outward from the bottom. They also include fixed windows, including picture windows, which do not open and are often combined with other window styles to maximise views and natural light. There are also various frames suitable for bifold windows.
What is the disadvantage of aluminium windows?
Aluminium is a poor heat insulator compared to other materials, though the main benefit of better-insulating alternatives and upgrades is reduced heat transfer. This can be less of a problem, though, with thermal breaks and weather stripping. Condensation: Inside windows with an aluminium frame, frost or moisture can accumulate and cause issues.
Do aluminium windows need maintenance?
Aluminium frames need minimal upkeep, which can save money over time, and occasional lubrication of the window hardware. Aluminium frames are low-maintenance across the entire window because they don't need specialised cleaning agents or treatments.
Which type of aluminium window is best?
It depends on the room. Casement windows are the best all-rounder, tilt and turn windows suit upper floors and rooms where you want secure night ventilation and easy cleaning, flush casements suit contemporary and cottage-style homes, and sliding windows work where there's no room for a sash to swing open.
Can you get aluminium sash windows?
Yes. Aluminium vertical sliding sash windows are available with slim profiles designed to mimic traditional timber sashes. They are a more specialist and expensive option, so they are mostly chosen for period homes where the owner wants low maintenance without losing the traditional look.
What colour aluminium windows should I choose?
Anthracite grey (RAL 7016) is the most popular choice in the UK, followed by black and white. Dual-colour frames let you keep white inside and a darker shade outside. Choosing the same RAL colour as your bifold doors or French doors gives a consistent look.
