Section 1: The Frame Material Is Only One Part of the Cost When homeowners first begin researching aluminium windows, one assumption appears again and again: “They’re expensive because aluminium is expensive.” It seems like a logical conclusion. After all, if the frame is made from metal rather than uPVC, surely the material itself must account […]
Tag Archives: glazing specification
02
Jul
Jul
Section 1: Aluminium Doesn’t Rot, Warp or Rust Like Many People Assume When homeowners ask how long aluminium windows last, they are often looking for a simple number. Twenty years? Thirty years? Forty years? While those figures can provide a useful indication, they do not explain why aluminium has become one of the most trusted […]
02
Jul
Jul
Section 1: Performance Starts Long Before Energy Ratings When homeowners begin comparing aluminium and uPVC windows, one specification often dominates the conversation: the U-value. Energy ratings have become one of the most familiar ways of judging modern glazing, leading many people to assume that the window with the lowest published figure must automatically be the […]
02
Jul
Jul
Section 1: What Are Window Sightlines? When homeowners begin comparing aluminium windows, conversations usually focus on frame colours, glazing performance, security or energy efficiency. Sightlines are rarely the first topic discussed, yet architects often notice them almost immediately. In fact, the width and proportion of a window’s visible frame can have a greater influence on […]
01
Jul
Jul
Section 1: The Problem: Aluminium Is Extremely Good at Conducting Heat Aluminium has become one of the defining materials of contemporary architecture. Its strength, durability and ability to support slim, elegant frames make it an obvious choice for modern windows and doors. Yet aluminium also possesses one characteristic that once limited its use in residential […]
01
Jul
Jul
Section 1: Why Two Materials Can Be Better Than One When homeowners first encounter alu-clad windows, they often assume they represent a compromise between timber and aluminium. The name itself can create the impression that one material has simply been added to another as a protective layer. Architects see the concept rather differently. They do […]
01
Jul
Jul
Section 1: Have You Agreed the Right Specification—Not Just the Right Product? Paying a deposit often feels like the point where a glazing project becomes official. The decisions appear to have been made, the products selected and the installation begins to feel real. Yet architects rarely think of this stage as simply ordering windows and […]
01
Jul
Jul
Section 1: Don’t Start by Comparing Quotes—Start by Comparing Expertise When homeowners begin looking for a glazing supplier, the first comparison is often price. Quotations are gathered, specifications are skimmed and attention naturally focuses on the figure at the bottom of the page. It is an understandable approach, particularly when glazing represents a significant investment […]
30
Jun
Jun
Section 1: Measurements Come Last—Architecture Comes First When homeowners hear the phrase “made-to-measure glazing”, the first thing that often comes to mind is a tape measure. The assumption is understandable. If windows or doors are being manufactured specifically for a property, then accurate dimensions must surely be the starting point. In reality, architects approach bespoke […]
30
Jun
Jun
Section 1: Stop Comparing Materials Before You Understand the Building One of the most common mistakes homeowners make when choosing between composite and aluminium is treating the decision as though it begins with the material itself. Product brochures encourage comparisons of strength, insulation, security and appearance, making it seem as though one material should naturally […]
29
Jun
Jun
Section 1: Start With How You Want to Live, Not Which Door Looks Better The conversation surrounding bifold and sliding doors often begins with appearance. Homeowners compare frame profiles, opening styles and photographs of completed projects, hoping one system will clearly emerge as the superior choice. Architects, however, usually begin somewhere entirely different. Before discussing […]
25
Jun
Jun
Question #1: What Problem Is This Specification Actually Solving? A glazing quotation often feels like the conclusion of a project. After weeks of researching products, comparing suppliers and arranging site visits, receiving a detailed proposal can create the impression that the difficult decisions have already been made. The conversation naturally shifts towards lead times, installation […]
25
Jun
Jun
Mistake #1: Assuming Every Window Performs The Same Job It is easy to understand why windows are often compared primarily on price. At first glance, two quotations may appear to describe products that perform the same function. They fit the same opening, achieve similar dimensions and promise comparable levels of energy efficiency. If one quotation […]
25
Jun
Jun
Mistake #1: Leaving The Door Until The End Of The Project Among all the major specification decisions within a building project, the front door is surprisingly often left until the final stages. By this point, planning approvals have been secured, structural work is underway and attention has naturally shifted towards completing the project. As programme […]
24
Jun
Jun
Error #1: Specifying Performance Figures Instead Of Occupant Comfort Few aspects of glazing specification receive as much attention as performance figures. U-values, solar gain coefficients, energy ratings and thermal performance data are now central to most glazing discussions. These metrics are important and provide valuable information when comparing systems. However, problems can arise when specification […]
24
Jun
Jun
The Most Common Regret Is Following Trends Instead Of Architecture The window colour homeowners most often regret is not anthracite grey. It is not black. It is not white. It is the colour they chose because everyone else was choosing it. This may sound surprising, particularly given how much attention is given to identifying the […]
24
Jun
Jun
Why Bifold Doors Became The Default Choice There was a time when bifold doors were considered a premium architectural feature. They appeared on ambitious self-build projects, high-end extensions and television programmes showcasing contemporary design. Large glazed openings that folded neatly away felt innovative, aspirational and distinctly modern. Today, bifold doors are so common that many […]
23
Jun
Jun
What A U-Value Actually Measures A U-value is one of the most commonly quoted performance figures in the glazing industry. It appears in brochures, technical documents, building regulation discussions and sales conversations. Yet despite how often it is used, many homeowners are never given a clear explanation of what the number actually means. In simple […]