Aluminium windows and doors have made giant leaps in development in terms of aesthetics and energy efficiency, which might be why it has quickly become the material of choice for home improvements today.
Rising fuel bills have made us all pay more attention to saving energy around the home. We are turning devices off instead of leaving them on standby, switching to energy efficient light bulbs, and turning the thermostat down a few degrees, but this doesn’t address the bigger picture. New windows and doors keep homes warm and can save hundreds of pounds on energy bills.
Did you know?
Most of the windows in UK homes do not meet existing Building Regulations for thermal efficiency. They may have been compliant when they were installed, but new legislation has surpassed the old to ensure new windows and doors meet more stringent energy efficient guidelines. And more changes are to come.
That is why upgrading your windows and doors could make a huge difference to the overall thermal efficiency of your home and save money on expensive fuel bills.
Why choose aluminium for your new windows and doors
Aluminium windows and doors are a fantastic choice for the planet and for your wallet, and here are our top five reasons why.
1. Best in class for energy ratings
According to current UK Building Regulations new windows must achieve a British Fenestration Ratings Council (BFRC) Window Energy Rating (WER) label of ‘B’ or above, or an equivalent U-Value of 1.6W/m2K, but this is likely to increase soon as there is increasing pressure to reduce our carbon footprint. (For the tech hungry among you, you can find out more about Building Regulations and U-Values here).
Thanks to some serious technological advances (see number 4 in our list below) aluminium is now an excellent choice for thermal efficiency. For example, the Reynaers at Home SL 68 Slim Frame aluminium windows can already achieve an A++ rating, which means by choosing this option, you can not only enjoy savings on your fuel bills straight away, you can also be confident that any upcoming legislation won’t overtake the performance of your newly installed windows any time soon.
2. Stronger material supports more glass
Generally, the more glass, the better the thermal efficiency. Aluminium is such a strong material it allows glass to take centre stage with a slimmer window frame design. It can also support more robust glazing whether you opt for double or triple glazed windows, as the frame is strong enough to support the glass unit inside completely, working with it seamlessly to seal the cold air out and the warm air in.
3. High performance without compromising on design
It is thanks to aluminium windows and doors that traditionally ‘Grand Design’ features have now become mainstream. Other materials have tried to emulate the look of aluminium by offering darker colour choices, but with the significant developments that have been made in the material’s energy efficiency, there is now no need to compromise. Aluminium windows and doors offer a unique sleek, modern design with optimal thermal performance.
4. New and improved manufacturing techniques
Huge technological strides have been made to improve the energy performance of aluminium windows and doors. They now contain something called a thermal break which is a piece of additional material inserted inside the aluminium frame that effectively creates two sections – an inside section and an outside section. The technology stops the heat transfer between indoors and outdoors and prevents condensation from forming.
5. Long lasting efficiency benefits
Boasting a lifespan of 30-40 years, aluminium windows and doors are durable and robust, and retain their insulating properties. Aluminium is also 100% recyclable at the end of its life and is endlessly recyclable. In fact, according to the Aluminium Association, nearly 75% of all aluminium ever produced is still in use today.
Reynaers Aluminium takes a science led approach to embed sustainable practices in its product design and manufacture, to ensure an ongoing commitment to carbon reduction. We are dedicated to offering circular products that have a long lifetime and are recycled after use, making aluminium a good choice for your long-term carbon footprint too.
The next step towards a warmer home
If you would like more information about aluminium windows and doors, you can speak to one of our friendly Reynaers at Home partners who will be happy to give you professional help and advice to get you started on your journey to a modern, warm home that saves you money.
Need professional advice on design, specification or installation?
We have a network of carefully selected Partners who will help guide you through your home transformation process.
