Aluminium Window Buying Guide

If you’re considering buying aluminium windows for your home there are a number of key considerations to make.

Whether you’re looking to replace all the windows in your property, or a small number, they need to fit seamlessly into your home without compromising its original features.

Here the Heritage Window Company will guide you through those all important steps to help you find the best solution for you and your home.

What Makes A Quality Aluminium Window?

It’s important to consider the below checklist and ensure that you’re choosing the best quality windows possible.

• Easy maintenance
• Matches the properties aesthetics
• Improves security
• Supported by a secure frame
• Reduces draughts
• Thermal efficiency
• Environmentally friendly
• Made to measure
• Industry tested performance and weather resistance
• Noise reduction
• Firm frame and design
• Long lasting guarantees
• Adds value to the property

Important Decisions

Opting for new windows in your property is a big decision, and investment. With that in mind it’s important to have the below purchasing questions in mind.

Aesthetics

The aesthetics of new windows offer the biggest benefit, get it right and your home is instantly transformed.

UPVC is often used for thicker frame profiles. While it is generally the lower cost solution you may also find that you are limited to a small amount of colour choices and bespoke application.

Aluminium is commonly used for thin frame profiles. They are designed to be thermally broken to stop condensation. In addition to being  aesthetically pleasing you will find a much wider architectural application with the  widest range of colours and styles.

Steel again is used for thin profile frames, although these don’t tend to be thermally broken and can be very high cost.

Timber is the traditional material used for windows. However, this comes at a high cost.

Thermal Efficiency

Modern double glazing is highly energy efficient and helps reduce energy costs.

The Window Energy Rating (WER) tells you how energy-efficient your windows are.  Window manufacturers will display how energy efficiency their products are using an energy-rating scale from A+ to E.

The whole window, including frame and glass are assessed to allow for heat loss, air leakage and solar gain, this in turn then determines the overall rating that shows the impact of fitting the window in your property.

Security

A sign of a good window is one which will not only keep you and your family warm and comfortable, but also increases security in your home. It is always advisable to check if your windows are PAS24 tested.

PAS 24 is a set of tests designed to assess the security of doors and windows against opportunistic burglars. The tests consider the size of tool used and the time it would take to be noticed.

Choosing The Right Window Company

Which company will best satisfy your design needs?

• Research companies for all of the above buying queries, ensuring that you are not compromising on your requirements
• Request to see installations , insist on samples and visit a showroom.
• Ultimately need to feel comfortable that the company’s values , service and product meets your needs
• Use review sites to gauge customer service.
• Try not to be too price led , the cheapest is not always the best option , it’s about value against the product and services being offered.