Aluminium windows and doors manufactured to today’s standards are one of the best options for sustainability and long-term performance. They are unique in their ability to withstand all kinds of weather conditions with very minimal maintenance to keep them looking their best.
Windows and doors of all materials have come a long way in the last 70 years or so, but the changes in aluminium building products have been particularly significant.
Some readers may remember the aluminium windows fitted in the 1950’s. They did not have thermal inserts, so they were cold to the touch, and they did not have any coatings, so they suffered from corrosion. Both of these things have now been resolved, allowing homeowners to enjoy all of the inherent benefits of aluminium with none of the compromises.
Aluminium doors and windows manufactured today offer superb thermal efficiency, reduced condensation, and excellent sustainability credentials with minimal maintenance. Meanwhile, timber windows and doors still require work to ensure they do not deteriorate in bad weather, and PVC-U home improvements still expand and contract in the heat and in the cold, which can make them difficult to use in weather extremes.
What to look out for when choosing quality aluminium doors and windows for all weathers
If you have been researching your new home improvements for a while, you have probably come across Window Energy Ratings (WERs) by now. This is a great system to help homeowners compare the energy performance of their new windows, just as you would with a new washing machine or fridge. And using WERs as a comparison tool, aluminium achieves outstanding performance with its ability to attain an A++ rating. But to really build confidence before you buy, there are a few other things to look out for to ensure your new windows and doors will keep you warm and cosy in all weathers.
Air permeability
The air permeability of your windows and doors is about how much air can get through the products, particularly looking at all of the joints in the frames. In your home this would equate to draughts coming into your property. If you have ever experienced draughty windows, you will know that this isn’t just a problem when it’s windy outside. You can feel a draught in almost any weather and the problem can obviously negate some of the energy saving benefits your windows and doors provide.
Test: BS EN 1026:2016 – this test takes assembled windows and doors and assesses them against positive or negative pressures. That means forcing air towards the products on one side and sucking air from the other side to see how much passes through. It cannot measure air permeability between the windows or doors and the building construction, but the test gives a strong indication of the products’ integrity.
Water tightness
Anyone living in the UK will understand the importance of windows and doors that do not let the water in! We have always been known for our wet climate, but we are now regularly issued severe weather warnings for rain throughout the year. Whether there is a substantial downpour on its own, rain showers over a prolonged period, or driving wind and rain together, we want to be sure our windows and doors hold fast.
It is not just about comfort either. Doors and windows that let water in and are left untreated, can cause damp and mould, which can be bad for our health.
Test: BS EN 1027 – Simulating the effect of rain, water is sprayed at windows and doors undergoing this test. The pressure of the sprayed water gradually increases in stages every 5 minutes to see if it breaks through at any point, and is classified based on the performance. Eg, our SL68 casements achieve a water-tightness classification of 1200 pascals, which takes 75 minutes of increasing pressured rainfall.
Wind load resistance
Homeowners in the UK also need to consider protecting their properties against gale force winds. In 2025 it was reported that the UK witnessed the highest wind speed it had seen for at least ten years with storm Éowyn bringing gusts in excess of 100mph. Whether we are battening down the hatches for wind speeds like this, or much lower but still significant 30 or 40mph gusts, windows and doors can be a vulnerable part of our homes, so testing them for their wind load resistance offers additional peace of mind.
Test: BS EN 12210 – this test looks at how well windows and doors resist wind load and classifies them accordingly. The test is conducted on assembled windows and doors in accordance with BS EN 12211 (the standard relating to the method of testing). BS EN 12210 covers a few different tests including an air permeability test as we looked at above, a relative frontal deflection test, safety test, and a repeated pressure test. The aim is for the doors and windows to complete all assessments with no serious damage. Example, SL68 was successfully windload tested to 1600pa (approx. 110mph winds) and strength tested to 50% above this level.
Reduce harmful condensation with aluminium windows and doors
Another thing to take into consideration when shopping for new doors and windows is the risk of them developing condensation. All windows are likely to experience some kind of condensation, but where and why it happens matters. Certain materials offer better, longer lasting protection than others due to the behaviour of the material over time. For example, if a material expands and contracts, it can put more strain on all of the window’s components. Aluminium is a rigid and durable material as well as offering excellent thermal efficiency, so it gives homeowners a solution that will last the distance.
How to select doors and windows based on testing
It is important for us to say that the standards we have been talking about in this article are not compulsory. That means manufacturers and installers do not have to complete these tests to sell their products and as a homeowner, you can still buy doors and windows if they have not been tested to these standards. However, quality focused companies like Reynaers believe in pushing our products as hard as we can before they make it to your home, to make sure they exceed expectations.
Whether you live on the coast or in a particularly exposed area, or you would simply appreciate the additional peace of mind in our increasingly volatile UK climate, it might be pertinent to ask about the air, water and wind performance of the windows and doors you are considering.
Contact one of our reputable Reynaers at Home partners for more information about our top performing aluminium windows and doors today.
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