In modern conditions, windows are increasingly used, which have some unique characteristics. Often we are talking about the materials used to create the frame. Speaking of metal windows, their main feature is the absence of even the minimum possibility of air transmission. Moreover, such windows are incredibly durable, and outwardly they are quite good, especially if we compare them with old wood varieties of products.

Aluminum windows have gained considerable popularity in recent years. Surely the whole point is that they have a fairly modest weight, as well as phenomenal reliability. Now such products are actively used in residential buildings, in enterprises, as well as in many other facilities.

Numerous manufacturers of aluminum windows note that the main feature of this product is durability. Some companies provide a guarantee for windows without any problems, which has been in effect for ten years. In such conditions, you can be sure that aluminum windows - the best option.

In this article, we will analyze the main features of aluminum windows, and also consider the main stages of installing this product.

Features of aluminum windows

It should be noted immediately that today aluminum windows are not installed as often as metal plastic or wooden ones. However, recent trends indicate that after a while aluminum products will become quite common. Obviously, gradually this product becomes cheaper, and leading manufacturers try to improve the characteristics of windows, using the most advanced developments in this field.

It is worth analyzing the main advantages and disadvantages of aluminum windows. And the advantages are as follows:

• Modern appearance. Often, aluminum windows outwardly practically do not differ from metal-plastic ones. But at the same time, it should be borne in mind that only a limited range of coloring of windows can be found on the market. With classical variations, there will certainly not be any problems.
• Weight of windows. Often, if you take into account the current conditions, aluminum windows are used in the construction of high buildings. Moreover, it is on the basis of aluminum that windows are made that have large dimensions. The thing is that the other variants of the windows are too heavy, which is not very good for constructive reasons. On the same basis, you need to take into account the safety of windows. Aluminum is light metal, but at the same time it does not have any significant drawbacks compared to other variants of windows.
• Excellent thermal insulation. This advantage is especially important at home, where it is necessary to keep the heat even in a terrible frost. Accordingly, in this case, aluminum windows are slightly superior to metal-plastic windows, and even more so wooden ones. To obtain a better thermal insulation, it is advisable to install appropriate heaters.
• Ease of maintenance. According to leading manufacturers, it is easy to care for aluminum windows. Moreover, in some cases, maintenance may be even easier than in the case of metal-plastic windows. In many respects this aspect depends directly on the design of the window.

The disadvantages of aluminum windows are as follows:

• High price. To date, aluminum windows are still unavailable to ordinary consumers. Often they are ordered by companies that install windows in shops or offices. For ordinary consumers, small orders may simply be prohibitive in terms of finances.
• Some limitations of available colors. Many people consider the lack of the fact that the range of these products is limited, especially if you have in mind a modest list of possible colors. For example, most manufacturers are limited to only a couple of "tree" color options. On the other hand, aluminum windows have a wide range of shades, which can not boast of many other products.

There are many other advantages of aluminum windows. For example, such products can have arched doors. Also, we can not fail to mention the absence of visible wide bridges.

Disadvantages of windows can also be shown depending on the conditions presented, as well as the specifics of the constructions. Thus, during the purchase of windows, you should learn the entire list of necessary information so that you do not face a whole host of serious problems later.

Appearance and design of aluminum windows

Many manufacturers position aluminum windows as products that can have different designs. Accordingly, such windows can be used in a wide variety of conditions. Obviously, most of the original versions of the windows will need to be discussed with the manufacturer in advance, who will design and analyze the main details of the future window.

As we said earlier, there are quite few original colors for aluminum windows on sale, but a lot of classic color solutions. Accordingly, manufacturers provide a whole palette of colors, from which you will need to choose the option you like. However, as is known, often people get the most usual variants of windows. Aluminum products, in its original form, have a somewhat grayish color, but often they can be confused with the most common for many metal-plastic windows.

As for the main types of aluminum windows, they are as follows:

• Warm profile. This version of the product has special thermal inserts, which are combined with the glasses. Most often thermal insulation is produced on the basis of common insulating materials, among which one can mention nylon, propylene and ethylene. This design also has up to 5 air chambers. Accordingly, the warm profile will allow to keep the room high air temperature, while completely avoiding even a small external exchange. In addition, often in these windows is installed a special insulation, which improves the isolation of the room from noise. This is especially true in the case when it comes to industrial premises, where soundproofing must be approached as responsibly as possible.
• Cold profile. This variation of aluminum windows is not often used. From the name it can be understood that such windows do not have special isolation. Moreover, a cold profile means the use of only one camera. Accordingly, this version of windows is most often used in warehouses, where there is no special need for insulation. As for residential premises, they use a cold profile only for installation on balconies and verandas.

Obviously, the second option is much cheaper than the first, so in the current conditions, the cold profile is used most often. But under a certain scenario, it makes sense to overpay a little and become the owner of energy-efficient windows, the positive sides of which will be well felt in the winter.

Feasibility of purchasing aluminum windows

Many people who want to install new windows look at different versions of this product. It should be borne in mind that to date aluminum windows are far from the best option. We have already said that aluminum products will cost significantly more than metal and plastic. But at the same time, such windows also have numerous advantages that will surely be enjoyed by those who want to achieve optimal energy efficiency in the home.

However, aluminum windows are not so good as to overpay for them too much money. Accordingly, the saved money can be invested in the purchase of insulation materials, which will prove to be much more effective in a conventional residential building.

In these conditions, you can only wait a couple of years, when the prices for aluminum windows will fall significantly. The trend indicates precisely that very soon the cost of such windows will be at the level of metal-plastic products. If it is a question of a cold profile, then there is absolutely no point in overpaying, since the differences from metal-plastic bags are only in weight.

Installation of aluminum windows

It should be noted that the process installation of aluminum windows differs little from the analogous procedure with metal plastic products. However, there are some differences. It should be noted that some manufacturers are introducing into their windows certain innovations and original latches, which need to be recognized beforehand. Often companies that produce aluminum windows, all the necessary information is indicated in the documentation.

The best option is to install the windows directly by specialists from the production. In this case, you can be sure that all the actions performed will turn out to be qualitative. Moreover, if, after some time, flaws in the window or flaws are found, you can safely turn to the manufacturer, which uniquely provides a flexible guarantee.

Often the assembly process consists of the following steps:

• Preparatory process. At the very beginning, it is necessary to prepare a window opening for the further installation of the aluminum product. First of all, it is necessary to clean everything from the dust, then analyze the condition of the opening itself. Most often, if an old wooden window was previously installed, there are many irregularities in the opening, which you need to get rid of as soon as possible. For an ideal result, you can make a filler of the opening, however, the same process can be carried out after the window is mounted.
• Insert and window alignment process. Experts advise making quarters for aluminum windows. It's about the side grooves directly in the opening. As for the leveling, the wooden wedges will definitely help in this matter. Separately it is worth noting that during the insertion of the frame many owners are trying to force aluminum windows into the opening by force. Of course, such actions are unacceptable. The thing is that aluminum can be easily bent, so the installation should be done with the utmost care.
• Distance between the frame and the sides of the opening. Often, the technological documentation indicates that the above distance should be about 5 mm. In the event that this value is exceeded, it may be necessary to resort to fastening with additional plates. The plates themselves can not be metal, because the aluminum base of the window can be damaged because of them.
• Fastening of a frame of an aluminum window. Often, the fastening process is based on anchor plates. Thus, through one hole in the anchor plate, the screw is screwed into the frame, and through the other - straight into the wall.
• Frothing process. Of course, foaming is a familiar process when installing windows. In this case, the process takes place in 2 stages. At the very beginning there is a frothing around the entire perimeter of the window. Somewhere after 2 hours you need to remove all wedges, after which you should fill the voids with mounting foam. After the foam has dried, you can cut it with a construction knife. Outside, it is possible to paste a vapor-permeable film that will successfully withstand the passage of moisture and water.
• Low tide installation. Here we need to arm ourselves with screws and attach the ebb to the outer lower part of the window. Even after installation, all the same mounting foam is useful, which needs to fill the space between the tide and the frame. In the outer joints, a sealant can be used.
• Mounting of aluminum window sill. Here everything is the same as with metal-plastic windows. Aluminum window sill is simply wound under the frame, with the installation in a special groove. If there is a gap between the frame and the window sill, you can re-use the sealant.