Window and door frame buying guide
What you need to know before buying aluminum frames, what to look out for, which product is right for you, and how to find the right one based on your needs. The answers are in the following section.
Aluminum, a fully recyclable product, belongs to the light metals and is suitable for the construction of small or large window frames with a long service life, without the need for special maintenance. It boosts the Greek economy, as all stages of production, from the extraction of the raw material (bauxite) to the manufacture of the final products (frames), can be carried out in our country. Doors, windows, curtain walls, and aluminum shading systems incorporate cutting-edge technology, offering high thermal insulation, exceptional safety, high aesthetics, sound insulation, functionality, and minimal maintenance requirements.
How will we ensure however that the prospective buyer will choose the right manufacturer of aluminum systems, in order to enjoy the advantages of, which it may have previously encountered at exhibition spaces and the enthused? Some consumers had in the past the unpleasant experience of experience from the use of problematic aluminum frames , having at the same time and share responsibility, because perhaps they chose with the sole criterion the low price, without taking into account their particular characteristics and the level of quality of the product they were offered to them by the manufacturer of the product they chose to buy from them and and the level of quality both of the constructions, as well as and the same as the manufacturer, who has the primary role.
The truth is that in most cases, prospective buyers of window frames are unable to know how to meet their needs and expectations from installing new aluminum window frames in their property. It is therefore largely up to the professional manufacturer or seller to fully understand the needs and expectations of the prospective buyer of aluminum window frames during the sale and to point out the special features and advantages that the user will enjoy from the use of the new aluminum window frames, always in relation to the location of the property and its requirements.
The role of guarantees and certifications
It is important to make clear from the outset that there is a written guarantee, which creates a secure environment for the sale, as well as a complete technical description of the products in an understandable manner. The certifications of both the products and the proven competence of the aluminum frame manufacturer, as well as the procedures it applies and the quality systems, play a decisive role in the result and in ensuring the protection of the buyer. Professional aluminum frame manufacturers have the know-how and ensure the result by implementing Production Control Systems or ISO, which allow them to affix the necessary CE marking to aluminum frames.
Upon completion of the project, the manufacturer must provide the consumer with a product performance statement and a warranty (minimum 2 years) covering both the manufacture and installation of the aluminum systems. The consumer must carefully check the existence of certificates from the aluminum frame supplier and the reference to the agreed product characteristics in the necessary project contract. The buyer must pay particular attention to understanding the description of the frames to be delivered, so as not to confuse them with non-agreed properties that are advertised in the relevant advertising. It is also important for consumers to know that the manufacturer is responsible for the quality of the frames and their installation. Therefore, the choice of profile manufacturer alone does not guarantee the quality of the final result.
The origin of window frames and the POVAS guide
Greek aluminum system manufacturers have made significant progress and possess a high level of expertise and product quality, as do aluminum frame and curtain wall manufacturers. In recent years, due to energy requirements in the building sector, manufacturers have become specialized in high energy efficiency frames, always with the aim of saving energy but also achieving high levels of security due to the requirements created by rising crime rates.
The Panhellenic Federation (POVAS), in order to contribute to the effort to inform consumers and ensure the quality of products and services, has published a concise technical manual on quality control in the manufacture and installation of aluminum systems, which is easily accessible to prospective buyers via the Federation’s website at povas.gr. In this way, we are trying to put a stop to consumer misinformation and strengthen the proper functioning of the market. The choice of manufacturer plays the most important role in the degree of consumer satisfaction with the installation of aluminum doors, windows, and glass partitions in their home or workplace. For this reason, consumers should look for certified manufacturers and all the necessary information that lends prestige and credibility to a modern professional.
The importance of this issue is extremely timely and obvious for the Greek “unprotected” market, which since 2010 has been facing unprecedented provocative actions involving the illegal importation of low-quality window frames with forged documents or certificates, which do not meet the specifications and are not accompanied by guarantees, creating an environment of insecurity in the market since, unfortunately, they are chosen solely on the basis of their low price. In many cases, installation is carried out by foreign contractors, which provides no security for the consumer in the event of problems with the manufacture or installation of aluminum systems.
The advantages of thermally broken frames
Modern thermally broken aluminum frames have high specifications and several advantages that meet a wide range of design requirements for small or large building openings in various shapes, giving flexibility to engineers and architects due to the robustness of the aluminum profiles from which they are made and the possibility of many reliable color options, even two-tone (exterior-interior). Aluminum is an environmentally friendly material, an ecological product which, as already mentioned, does not emit dangerous gases even in the event of fire. This makes it non-combustible for fire resistance regulations and is another important reason why aluminum frames are the first choice for consumers.
In recent years, there have been significant developments in architectural aluminum profiles in terms of improving their thermal insulation properties. The term “thermal break” in window frames we mean the interruption of the thermal bridge (heat transfer) achieved by separating the profile into two parts and joining them using insulating materials that isolate the inner and outer surfaces. This allows for a significant reduction in the transfer of heat (or cooling) from the interior to the exterior environment (or vice versa).
How thermal break works
The role of thermal break is played by polyamide 6.6, which is a thermoplastic material, extremely “noble” and relatively expensive, which for this specialized use is reinforced with glass fibers, at a rate of about 25%. The glass fibers are essentially the armor of the bar. This reinforces the mechanical properties of polyamide, which has low thermal conductivity. Polyamide can be used to manufacture cross-sections of reduced thickness without compromising the stability of the final structure. Increasing the width of the profile while simultaneously increasing the width of the polyamide used as a thermal break significantly reduces the heat transfer through the mass of the material.
Thermal transmittance coefficients range from approximately 1.8 to 3.0 W/m2K. This is further enhanced by the addition of foam thermal insulation material in the space between the polyamides. This achieves thermal transmittance coefficients of approximately 1-1.8 W/m2K for the profiles, while thermal transmittance coefficients of less than one have also been reported. One of the most important advantages of thermal breaks is the reduction of water vapor condensation on the surface of the frame and other adjacent smooth (non-porous) surfaces inside the space.
The increased width of the profile allows for the use of thicker glass panes (double or triple), contributing positively to the thermal and sound insulation offered by the frame. In addition, the use of rubber gaskets with the largest possible contact surface with the aluminum improves not only thermal insulation, but also airtightness and watertightness.
Modern window frames in practice
If we take as an example a house located in zone B (e.g. Attica) which has four balcony doors measuring 1.20×2.20 m, built in 1980. Replacing these with new aluminum doors with thermal breaks can have the following results:
- energy savings of approximately 30%/year (~1900kWh)
- savings of approximately €600/year on cooling and heating costs.
- reduction in CO2 emissions of approximately 1570 kg/year
The overall energy saving performance of a window frame does not depend solely on the Uw coefficient, but also on other properties, such as air permeability. Here is an example to help us understand this better. If a window frame has a very good thermal conductivity coefficient (low value of 1.8) but does not have a good air permeability value (value of 1), then we lose a lot of energy due to air transfer (the window frame leaks), even though the energy loss due to heat flow in the window frame is low. The overall result, however, is not good.
For this reason, simply replacing the glass in old frames is often ineffective in terms of the overall result. It is also important to carry out annual maintenance, which is often stipulated in the contract when purchasing aluminum window frames and is a prerequisite for extending the warranty, as this increases the smooth operation of the window frames.
In conclusion, it should be noted that the quality of products and services offered by the aluminum construction industry is high and reasonably priced, provided that consumers turn to certified and specialized professionals. In any case, POBA, because it often receives complaints from individuals, informs consumers as the Panhellenic Federation at every opportunity in order to avoid misinformation and deception with unpleasant consequences for all of us.
Article by Mr. Theophilos Pagiatis, President of the Panhellenic Federation of Aluminum and Iron Manufacturers.