When it comes to windows and glazing for residential properties, and you want to find the best aluminium windows to replace dated windows or for a new extension or new build, this article tells you all the essential things you need to know.
With competitive price and timely delivery, Tianjin Frame Metal sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
We will also delve into the practical aspects of design and options, security, energy efficiency, and colours. These tips are designed to make your search for the best aluminium windows easier, especially when you need French, bifolding, or sliding doors to match.
The best aluminium windows depend very much on their intended use, the style you want, and, in many cases, the brand. If you would like personal help and advice, please get in touch with your specific questions.
How to choose the best aluminium windows.Based on the opening type and the look you want to achieve, here are the best aluminium windows by category:
Best casement slimline windowsLooking for the slimmest possible windows? New build openings typically allow you to have narrower frames. You&#;ll find window replacements call for a slightly thicker front-to-back or frame width dimensions, but the most suitable replacement window very much depends on the survey.
One of the better aluminium windows brands, Reynaers Slimline 68 delivers contemporary sightless, infinite design options and thin frame and opening sash profiles. With sightlines of between 15mm and 65mm depending on the configuration, Reynaers SL68 promise beautiful styling, gorgeous window handles and the legendary Reynaers engineering and quality.
A premium window brand Schüco markets their windows as barrier-free, with good reason. Schüco AWS 70 SC is developed specifically for the UK market and comes as fixed or outward opening versions. The sightlines are slim at around 38mm for the outer frame and 51mm for the opening vent profile. These windows are superbly well-designed, built with the incredible Schüco quality and come recommended. Even better with Schüco AWS 70 SC is their impressive size capability, opening vents can go up to 1.8m wide or 1.8m high.
Alitherm 400 is very stylish, and affordable and comes with a matching range of residential side and back doors. Available double or triple-glazed, Alitherm 400 comes with side or top opening windows at impressive sizes, meaning bigger panes of glass and fewer mullions and transoms. It&#;s, therefore, very good for contemporary windows in new extensions or new-build homes. With substantial frame options, Alitherm 400 creates windows in several frame styles and has very pleasing slim sightlines of 59mm with a fixed module and 71mm with an opening vent.
Expertly made by Origin, their slimline OW-70 aluminium windows promise slim sightlines, high quality hardware and a dependable manufacturer guarantee. These, too, come with a 65mm sightline but don&#;t come in every possible configuration, for example, bay windows. However, they&#;re widely available, meaning prices stay competitive. The exterior flush casement design is also very pretty compared with the overlapping nature of window vents on other systems. The OW-80 by Origin is even better in terms of performance but quite a bit thicker.
The downside to aïr MOD windows is that they&#;re only available south of Birmingham, however, these are an independent system, available in five different versions, and the styling is outstanding. Available as a flush casement, contemporary window, slim steel-look and a tilt and turn, all of these windows come with very pleasing styling, fantastic quality and made by one of the longest established aluminium manufacturers in the UK.
Best floor to ceiling windowsChoosing a well-designed system with floor-to-ceiling windows is limited only by the capabilities and maximum sizes of the glass and the competence of the window company. Essentially any current aluminium window will work as a fixed floor-to-ceiling window. Therefore, there isn&#;t an overall best system, but there are products designed to create the best possible floor to ceiling glazing and glass walls.
The top end window system by Reynaers, Masterline 8 stands out for its gorgeous frame styling and impressive capability. Masterline 8 also combines doors and windows but is styled in such as way that any floor to ceiling window looks ultra-modern, sleek, elegant and also timeless. Options include glass corners and opening elements if required.
Schüco is renowned for the engineering and design of its systems and the PD, or Panorama Design, is no exception. Better suited to contemporary new builds, Panorama Design comes as floor to ceiling windows that can be fixed, have a hidden opening system and even a fully opening element for ventilation. Schüco AWS PD.SI promises minimal framing and excellent thermal insulation. It&#;s the kind of system you see in ultra-modern Grand Designs houses created with glass walls in every room.
A more affordable option, Cortizo COR-70 has pleasing European styling and looks great as a fixed window capable of large widths and heights. This system also comes as a hidden vent option allowing for slimmer windows but also opening for ventilation, without the bulk of traditional casements.
Best tilt and turn aluminium windowsTilt and Turn windows aren&#;t as popular in the UK as they should be, but they&#;re better than casement windows in several ways. First of all, the size capability of tilt and turn windows is significantly better than side or top-hung outward-opening windows. With heights up to the size of a standard door, tilt and turn windows are great for flat roof terraces or when you simply want bigger opening windows.
Their main function is tilting inwards for ventilation. Then you can rotate the handle in the opposite direction, and the entire opening element swings inwards. Not everyone likes the idea of an opening inwards window, however, they also have the advantage of letting you clean the outside pane of glass from inside the room.
Once again, Schüco arguably makes the best tilt-and-turn window because theirs has passed security testing in the open tilt position. In contrast, every other window is tested in the fully closed and locked position! Smart Systems, Aluk and Reynaers and aïr MOD also make excellent tilt and turn windows worthy of consideration.
Hybrid windows use aluminium outside and real wood inside. These have been available as tilt and turn for many years already and, in our view, are also some of the best, not to mention the warm-to-the-touch inside of real wood and its timeless style. You can get in touch with us for more information on hybrid windows or doors.
Best flush casement aluminium windowsThe flush casement or timber-look window is relatively new in aluminium. However, the flush design where the opening vents are flush with the mullions or frame has been around for longer with plastic windows and also hybrid materials.
Origin&#;s OW-80 window is our top choice for the best flush casement aluminium window. The styling is excellent, also being unique in having a flush look on the inside too. It&#;s well-priced, widely available and has features top-brand hardware and excellent insulation when upgraded with Aerogel.
We love the flush casement version of the aïr MOD range of windows because it&#;s so flexible and easy to integrate with the four other styles available in the collection, whether casement, steel-look, contemporary or tilt and turn. It&#;s not available everywhere, but worthy of consideration. The styling is really good too as are the slim overall sightlines for a tilt and turn, that&#;s usually bulkier in other systems.
Another excellent flush casement aluminium window, Alitherm 500 comes as fixed or opening windows, including large openers and a top or side-hung opening design. You can use this window in dwellings or light commercial projects. The window has reasonable U-Values depending on the glass used and the typical 65mm sightline also makes them much slimmer than the Origin version. Another great styling feature of the Alitherm 500 is the integrated trickle vent section, essential in all new windows now, and a very smart cill section that looks streamlined with the window.
Best aluminium sliding sash windowUnfortunately, aluminium still has quite a way to go in providing pleasing vertical sliding sash windows. Right now PVCu systems do it much better with Roseview, Masterframe and others providing authentic styling. However, if you must go for aluminium there are two excellent choices available.
The Royale sash window made by Duration Windows is beautifully slim and has some of the thinnest meeting rails, typical of old timber windows at only 42mm.
This window has an excellent mix of traditional features with a chamfered sash, a choice of cills and side sections and frame depths that make installation easy. As well as the traditional sash horns, Duration Royale comes with period hardware if required, highly insulated glass units and a tilt in facility for the sliding sashes, letting you clean the glass from the outside.
Suitable for dwellings or commercial buildings, Smart Systems Alitherm 600 looks really good in modern houses designed in the period style and provides a slimline sliding window, also available with optional sash horns. VS 600 is also widely used in non-dwellings where a school, care home, hotel or hospital would prefer the inline opening without opening windows projecting outwards.
Helping you understand aluminium windows, it&#;s first of all worth explaining the three common features of most aluminium windows. Importantly, whichever brand you go with, certain aspects of your new windows are the same. This then leaves you to choose the right product based on brand, styling or a specific design or functional requirement. These common features apply to both replacement windows and those for a newly built opening.
Similar to thermal insulation, meeting the required energy efficiency stipulated by Building Regulations also applies to your glass. Single glass does not meet these requirements. Therefore, you won&#;t find anyone selling single glazed exterior windows.
All of the best aluminium windows, including mid-range and trade windows, come with double glass units as standard. Most windows are designed for 28mm thick although 24mm is also acceptable.
Again as standard, expect to get a minimum glass specification of a soft-coat low-emissivity (low-e) coating, warm edge spacer bars and argon gas fill. The low-e coating helps retain interior heat, the spacer bars are the edges of your glass and the argon gas instead of air creates a high performance glass in your windows.
Finally is the painted surface of your new aluminium windows. This advanced powder coated finish not only provides colour. It also protects the bare metal surface.
Your new windows come painted by specialist colour applicators under strictly controlled environments. Again, most products you see come with a surface finish of similar quality.
A typical thermal break in an aluminium window profile helping with energy efficiencyAlso known as thermally broken, energy-efficient or insulated, all exterior use aluminium windows come with thermal insulation. In simple terms, the aluminium profiles are separated by a non-metal component (the thermal break) between the inside and outside faces of the window profile. Its job is to prevent the transfer of cold.
It&#;s this thermal insulation combined with the double or triple glazing giving you windows with good window energy ratings or U-Values but also windows that must meet current Building Regulations for energy efficiency. All windows meet these Building Regulations as well as safety, ventilation and means of escape such as in a fire. It&#;s highly unlikely you&#;ll find any aluminium window today without a thermal break.
Further illustrating similar technical standards of aluminium windows, the following table shows window specifications and standards you&#;ll find most comply with.
For the critical components of windows like the profiles and the paint finish some systems companies produce in-house. Other systems companies outsource to independent extruders as well as specialist powder coaters. Specialist manufacturers produce rubbers and seals. Your glass comes from glass manufacturers. Therefore, when it comes to the quality of everything that makes a window, you can regard quality as generally the same.
Again this leaves you to focus on style, design and personalisation options.
FeatureRelevant Industry StandardQuality of aluminium profiles and extrusions Aluminium Alloy .T6 to BS EN 755Part 9: or
BS EN Quality of polyester powder coated finishBS EN -1:.Quality of glassBS and Approved Document NQuality of glassBS and Approved Document NSecurityPAS 24, Document Q, Secured by Design, BS, BS EN Weather resistanceBS : Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3:Water resistanceBS : Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3:Air permeabilityBS : Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3:Quality of rubber gasketsEPDM Rubber manufactured in accordance with BS.Quality of woolpile sealsBS :Polyamide Thermal BreakPA66 GF25Anodised coloursSilver or bronze anodised BS (AA25).Aluminium window standards and specifications Who makes your new aluminium windows?The company is the world’s best Ultra-slim edge Casement Aluminum Windows supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
The vast majority of window installers do not make any windows. Instead, they buy them from specialist trade manufacturers. Some of these trade manufacturers work incredibly closely with their customers (your installer), with product training, installation support, pricing software and marketing.
Many installers are rightly proud of their relationships with the factories making your new windows and you can ask them to reveal either the supplier or the system.
There&#;s now the option for you to buy your new windows direct from some manufacturers and getting your builder to fit them. The obvious benefit is saving money although it&#;s unlikely you&#;ll get the same guarantee and support you would with the full supply and installation service.
The window system is the brand, the aluminium profiles and accessories. Also within the system is bringing the window to market, testing for security or weather performance. Aluminium windows systems companies invest substantial sums designing some of the best aluminium windows.
Then, the system including aluminium profiles, accessories and components are supplied by the systems company to its network of manufacturers. At the same time, these manufacturers are trained and supported by the systems company ongoing.
Your relationship is with your supplier and installer. They work with their manufacturer and supplier who in turn works with the systems company.
There are some exceptions to this with some systems companies also making their own windows also acting as suppliers. Origin is one of the best known brands of windows as well as sliding and folding doors working in this way. Anglian and Everest, two of the biggest names aren&#;t systems companies by they make their windows buying profiles from a systems company.
What does this mean for you? Often these systems companies come with decades of aluminium experience and frequently part of global groups. Schuco and Reynaers is an excellent example of two systems companies providing some of the best aluminium windows available, made through their network of manufacturers.
The following window brands, including specific variants, you can consider as some of the best aluminium windows. The reason they&#;re the best is down to several factors including who makes them, the overall design and quality, styling options as well as brand reputation. This is also reflected in the pricing.
Mid-Range Aluminium WindowsBest Aluminium WindowsStellar Aluminium WindowsSchuco WindowsAluk Optio 58BW casementReynaers Windows SAPA Crown Casement WindowSmart Systems Heritage RangeComar Eco and EcoLT windowsSmart Systems AlithermSheerline Classic and PrestigeOrigin OW70 and OW80Everest Aluminium Windowsaïr MOD aluminium windowsAnglian Aluminium WindowsKeller Minimal WindowsSenior Architectural Windows Windows from IQ GlassKaye Building Systems KBSWindows from PanoramahDeceuninck Decalu Windows AluK Optio 58BW ST steel replacementCortizo Aluminium WindowsTable of mid-range and best aluminium windowsThe reason Reynaers and Schuco are widely regarded as the best aluminium windows brands is the multiple window solutions and different window products they design.
As well as this, Reynaers and Schuco have a portfolio of windows that are specialist and intended for specific requirements and uses. Examples include fire-proof, bomb and blast-resistant windows as well as maximum security windows for buildings where security or protection is critical.
It&#;s this expertise and window knowledge passed onto their windows and doors for dwellings making them some of the best aluminium windows available and the choice of leading architects and designers.
Of course, other specialist window businesses are creating high-end architectural glazing. Still, these are for Grand Designs type projects, often different from the windows and doors most people want for their home or new extension. Examples include windows disappearing into the floor, floor to ceiling windows, guillotine windows, frameless box windows and many bespoke window creations.
Why the best aluminium windows differThe good news is there are no &#;bad&#; aluminium windows. Most brands share similar material specifications, quality and production standards or security specifications and more. It is incorrect manufacturing or installation creating a bad product and customer experience. It&#;s rarely a design fault with the window system itself.
Aluminium systems companies invest substantial sums in testing, certifying and bringing their windows to market, even those at the mid-range or trade price. Consequently, window problems come lower down the supply chain.
Some installers dislike certain brands as they find them complicated to fit. This is however of little concern to the homeowner customer. Or reports of leaking windows or those letting in drafts are again down to incorrect manufacturing or installation.
Security of aluminium windows.As we mention, many of the best aluminium windows share standardised specifications. Some windows come with enhanced security, others with more basic. Therefore you can take it as granted that all major systems are independently security tested. Ask to see the certification and check the credentials of the tested window.
The multi-point locks, window handles and components used to make your aluminium windows come from global or British companies that specialise in designing and producing hardware for windows and doors. The same applies to the seals, gaskets and rubbers.
Some aluminium systems use standard locks and handles. Other systems companies may work with more high-end lock companies such as Yale, Roto or Winkhaus, widely regarded as providing better locking systems.
It&#;s the window hardware where Reynaers and Schuco mentioned earlier that stand out. Schuco for instance provides automation with their window handles. Reynaers offers designer hardware even with anti-bacterial and high-end finishes and textures.
Why your windows don&#;t need to match your doorsThe functionality of a window and a door are entirely different. It&#;s for this reason they don&#;t match. Therefore there&#;s no specific reason why the best aluminium windows from one brand need to have matching doors.
For example whilst Reynaers and Schuco design better aluminium windows, a customer may want a minimalist and super-slim sliding door &#; something not available with either of these brands. Similarly, Origin makes excellent slim or traditional looking windows but you can&#;t find a slide and stack bifold door in their range.
Therefore, it&#;s not a problem having windows from one system, your grand patio doors from another and even a front door from an alternative brand. It&#;s about choosing the right product for your property project.
There are just a few advantages to having windows and doors all from one brand:
Casement windows have become a preferred choice for many homeowners, merging aesthetic elegance with functional design. These windows, known for their clean lines and simple operation, fit seamlessly into various architectural styles. They offer distinct advantages regarding ventilation, view, and energy efficiency. Casement windows present a solution that balances style with practicality for those considering window options, whether for a new build or an upgrade to an existing space. A key aspect of their popularity lies in their adaptability. Casement windows suit traditional homes and contemporary spaces, making them a versatile choice for a range of design preferences. Furthermore, their ease of operation and maintenance adds to their appeal, especially when window access is challenging.&#;
Casement windows are characterized by side-hinged sashes that open outward, typically operated by a crank, handle, or lever. This design allows maximum ventilation as the entire window can open, unlike sliding or double-hung windows. The ability to fully open also contributes to easier cleaning and maintenance, particularly for windows on higher floors. From a functional standpoint, these windows offer excellent energy efficiency. When closed, casement windows seal tightly against their frame, creating an effective barrier against air infiltration. This seal helps maintain a consistent indoor temperature, reducing the strain on heating and cooling systems and energy bills. In terms of security, casement windows provide an added layer of safety. The locking mechanism design, typically embedded within the frame, makes them more challenging to break into from the outside. This feature mainly benefits ground-level windows or those in more accessible home areas.
Material choices for casement windows include:
Each material brings unique benefits, allowing homeowners to choose based on aesthetic preference, maintenance considerations, and budget. Casement windows also offer a range of customization options. From the choice of glass, including double-glazing for better insulation, to various finishes and colors, homeowners can select features that best fit their home's style and personal preferences. Whether seeking a modern look with fiberglass frames or a sleek, contemporary design with slim aluminum profiles, casement windows can be tailored to meet specific design needs. This combination of functionality, efficiency, and customization makes casement windows a comprehensive choice for residential window installations.
Casement windows, celebrated for their versatility, come in various styles and materials, each offering unique benefits to fit different architectural and design needs.
Each material has distinct advantages, allowing homeowners to choose based on performance, aesthetic appeal, and budget considerations.
Casement windows are not just about aesthetics; they offer several practical advantages, making them a preferred choice for homeowners.
Casement windows provide superior energy efficiency. When closed, the sash presses tightly against the frame, creating an airtight seal that minimizes air leakage and drafts. This feature, coupled with options like double-glazing and low-E coatings available in vinyl and fiberglass windows, enhances insulation, reduces energy consumption, and may lower utility bills.
The crank-operated mechanism makes casement windows easy to open and close, particularly for hard-to-reach areas. This user-friendly feature is ideal for all age groups, ensuring effortless operation.
The ability to open the window fully allows for maximum airflow, making casement windows excellent for natural ventilation. This feature is particularly beneficial in rooms that require frequent air exchange, like kitchens and bathrooms.
Casement windows offer enhanced security. The hook-shaped locks within the frame make it more difficult to pry open from the outside. Additionally, the materials used &#; vinyl, fiberglass, and aluminum &#; contribute to the window's overall strength and security.
With various finishes, colors, and hardware options, casement windows are customizable to fit any home's aesthetic. Vinyl and fiberglass windows, in particular, offer a range of color choices and finishes, allowing homeowners to achieve the desired look, whether it's a traditional feel or a modern appearance. Combining these benefits makes casement windows a comprehensive solution for those seeking functionality, energy efficiency, and aesthetic flexibility in their window choices.
To ensure you make the right choice for your home when selecting casement windows, focus on the following decision points:
Proper installation and regular maintenance are critical to the longevity and performance of casement windows.
Casement windows offer ample customization options to align with your home's design and taste.
Selecting the right supplier is crucial for quality and satisfaction in your casement window investment.
Casement windows are an excellent choice for homeowners looking for a blend of style, functionality, and energy efficiency. From versatile design options to practical benefits like enhanced ventilation and security, they offer a comprehensive solution for modern living spaces. When considering casement windows, consider factors like material choice, design preferences, and the expertise of your installation partner. US Window & Door, with their quality products and professional service, can guide you through this process, ensuring that your home benefits from the beauty and functionality of casement windows. Remember, the right casement windows can transform the look and feel of your home, making this investment both a functional and aesthetic upgrade.
For more information, please visit Aluminum Glass Swing Door.