Aluminium U-Values Explained
What U-values mean for aluminium glazing, the figures to specify by system, and how whole-unit Uw is confirmed at quote. A trade guide from VitrineAlu.
Specification library
Aluminium technical guides
Spec-led answers on aluminium windows, doors and glazing: the performance figures, the standards behind them, and how the right product route is chosen per project. Written for installers, builders, architects and specifiers across North West England.
Aluminium Fabricator or Installer: Which One Do You Actually Need?
A fabricator builds and glazes the units and picks the system; an installer surveys and fits them. Which one you need, and why it sets your spec.
How big can aluminium doors and windows go?
How big aluminium doors and windows really go: sliding sashes to 2.2 x 2.87m at 420kg, bifold leaves to 1.2 x 3.0m with up to 14 leaves per run.
What is EN 13830 curtain walling?
What BS EN 13830 covers, stick versus unitised curtain walling, and the classes to specify. We fabricate to it, with 66mm sightlines and Ucw from 0.6.
Aluminium window and door weather ratings explained
Air permeability (EN 12207), watertightness (EN 12208) and wind resistance (EN 12210) explained, and how to match each class to your site's exposure.
PAS 24 security explained for aluminium doors and windows
PAS 24 is the UK enhanced-security test for doors and windows. How aluminium meets it, the link to Approved Document Q, and how to specify a tested route.
Acoustic aluminium windows: how Rw ratings work
How Rw ratings work in acoustic aluminium windows: laminated panes, acoustic interlayers and asymmetric glazing, to Rw 46 dB where specified.
How an aluminium thermal break works
How a polyamide thermal break cuts conduction through aluminium frames, why frame Uf differs from whole-window Uw, and the U-values our units reach.
Aluminium glazing explained
The sealed glass unit does most of the work. How panes, low-e coatings, warm-edge spacers and argon fill set the whole-unit U-value and the acoustics.
Aluminium window and door finishes and colours
How aluminium finishes work: architectural powder coat in any RAL colour, matt to gloss, dual-colour inside and out, and anodised-style where specified.
Aluminium window styles explained
Casement, tilt-and-turn, heritage sash and fixed lights compared: how each opens, vents, cleans and meets egress, and where each style suits.