What Are the Advantages of Insulated Aluminum Windows and Doors?
If you’re considering upgrading your windows and doors, you’ll have come across all the usual UPVC options – windows and doors made of plastic. But what if you want something with a different aesthetic that will also insulate your Commercial Building?
Hollow metal door frames made of aluminum have become increasingly popular in recent years. They look great and confer many of the same benefits of their UPVC plastic counterparts. Aluminum windows and doors can accommodate double or triple glazing and use interior insulating voids, just like mainstream plastic frames. They’re a stunning addition to practically any commercial building.
Do you know all of the advantages of hollow metal doors and windows? Here they are in a handy, helpful list.
Also Read: Why Do Companies Need A High-Quality Door Closer Supplier?
Easy to Maintain
You might think that aluminum frames require special care and attention compared to the plastic alternative, but they don’t. Aluminum frames have no additional maintenance requirements and may last longer in certain conditions. All you need to do is clean the dirt off every three to four months, and you’re done.
Excellent Thermal Efficiency
People often like to criticize the aluminum window and door frames because the metal they contain is a conductor. Aluminum frames transfer heat more effectively in and out of a building than plastic; the argument goes, so they’re less efficient.
The argument, however, is flawed. While it’s true that aluminum does conduct heat better than plastic (and can lead to heat loss), modern aluminum frames contain an interior plastic heat break. The break prevents the metal from conducting heat out of the room in the same way as a full UPVC frame, but with all the aesthetic benefits of brushed metal.
The Spruce says that “aluminum windows without thermal breaks only work in temperate climates.” If you live in a harsh climate, you’ll need to double-check that the windows you’re planning on buying contain a thermal break.
Long-Lasting
A metal door frame made of aluminum can last for up to thirty years with the right maintenance. The reason for this has to do with the way that manufacturers treat the aluminum before molding it into frames and the natural corrosion-resistance of the metal.
High Strength
Aluminum has what scientists call a high-strength-to-weight ratio. The idea here is simple. You can have a durable and heavy material or a weak material that’s light. Aluminum is one of those rare materials that are both strong and light, making it ideal for people who want long-lasting windows and doors.
The business setting is an ideal place to install aluminum windows and doors. Commercial hollow metal doors are popular in offices and retail spaces thanks to their professional aesthetic and long-lasting properties. Businesses tend to prefer aluminum over other frame materials.
Also Read: 7 Key Benefits of Investing in Commercial Wood Doors
Plenty of Aesthetic Options
Not all aluminum windows are the same.
Colors
You can choose from a variety of colors and finishes. Colors include:
- Red
- Green
- Navy Blue
- Dark grey
- Anthracite
- Brown
- Gold
Finishes
You can also choose from a variety of finishes. Finishes include:
- Wood-graining (to mimic the appearance of wood)
- Matte
- Glossy
- Metalized
Manufacturers create aluminum windows in parts with the outside of the frame separate from the inside. You can, therefore, choose to use a different color on the inside from the outside, giving you even more customization options.
Can Be Fitted to a Variety of Window Shapes
You can mold aluminum into practically any shape you want, making it the ideal frame material for irregularly-shaped windows and doors.
Eco-Friendly
UPVC windows are not only made of plastic but a particular type of plastic with some unfortunate properties. UPVC has a nasty habit of leaking harmful chemicals into the surrounding environment, including commercial buildings.
If you want your window and door frames to be eco-friendly, aluminum is one of the best options. Aluminum frames last a long time and don’t degrade into microscopic particles which damage ocean ecosystems. Aluminum is an inert metal, and it does not give off harmful chemicals that could hurt you, your family, or your customers. You can also recycle aluminum windows when the time comes to remove them, whereas the vast majority of UPVC is not recyclable.
Highly Affordable
It’s no secret that aluminum frames are not the cheapest frames you can buy: that accolade goes to UPVC. Aluminum frames still, however, represent excellent value for money.
Why?
The main reason is the lower lifetime cost of your windows. Aluminum frames, as we’ve previously discussed, are fabulously durable. You can install metal frames and then leave them for three decades with practically no maintenance, and they’ll serve you well. The problem with UPVC is that it doesn’t always last as long. It might cost you less to install in the first place, but if you have to replace your windows more frequently, it’s no cheaper in the long run.
What about wood? Is that cheap? New wooden frames are certainly a vast improvement over the structures of old, but they’re still prone to damage and degradation. If you have wooden frames, you need to keep an eye out for rot and water damage all the time. Maintaining wooden frames is still a difficult task, and only something you should consider if you have an attractive, listed period property.
Non-Flammable
All the businesses want their buildings to resist fire if and when it starts. Companies already have plenty of systems in place, like sprinklers and fire-rated doors, that kick into action when they detect a fire. Homes, on the other hand, have fire alarms but few active fire mitigation measures.
Being a metal, aluminum is highly fire-resistant compared to wooden and plastic window frames. Aluminum does not burn or provide additional fuel that a fire can use, preventing it from spreading or taking in more oxygen from the outside.
Does Not Attract Dust
Aluminum is not an electrically conductive metal. You can’t pass a current through it. Because of this, aluminum windows cannot electrify, so it’s much less likely to attract dust.
Are you impressed by the benefits of aluminum windows? Call DWS today to find out more about how our aluminum windows could benefit you.
