Aluminium Casement Window: What It Is and Why choose it
Aluminium casement windows are a popular choice for residential and commercial buildings due to their strength, durability and design flexibility. They offer excellent ventilation, a stylish appearance and can be customised to meet specific aesthetic and functional requirements. If you want to know more about it, read this article and I’m sure you’ll get something out of it!
Table of content：
- What is aluminium casement window
- Structural for aluminium casement windows
- Advantages of aluminium casement windows
- Limitations of aluminium casement windows
What is aluminium casement window？
An aluminium casement window is a type of window that is hinged on one side and opens outward or inward like a door, typically operated by a crank or lever. The frame of the window is made of aluminium, a lightweight and durable material known for its strength, resistance to corrosion, and ability to support large panes of glass with minimal framing.
Aluminium casement windows are windows that utilise an aluminium profile frame as the main structural material, with the opening and closing action of the sash achieved by hinges or hinges mounted on one side. The lightness and strength of aluminium allow the frame to carry large glass panels while maintaining structural stability. Aluminium casement windows are usually used in places that require good ventilation and visibility, and can be configured with different types of glass and hardware to enhance the functionality and aesthetics of the window.
Structure of aluminium casement windows:
Its structure mainly includes the following parts:
Window frame and sash
Frame: The window frame is the part fixed on the wall of the building and is made of aluminium profiles. The role of the frame is to support the window and connect with the wall to form a stable frame structure. Window frames can be optimised with thermal breaks to improve their thermal insulation properties.
Aluminium sashes.
The sash is the part of the window that can be opened and closed and is also made of aluminium profiles. The sash is embedded with glass and can be connected to the frame by hinges to ensure smooth movement when the sash is opened or closed.
Hinges:
Hinges are the key component that connects the window frame to the sash, which is usually installed on one side of the window. They enable the window sash to rotate along a fixed axis for flush opening and closing. The quality and design of the hinges directly affects the durability and experience of using the window, so it is necessary to choose reliable quality hinges!
Hardware for casement windows:
1. Window handles
Handles are used to operate the opening and closing of the window. High-quality handles are usually made of stainless steel or galvanised steel and are finely machined to ensure smooth operation and durability.
2. Locking Mechanism
Locks are used to lock the sash and ensure security when the window is closed. Multi-point locking systems can provide greater security for windows.
3. Stay Arm or Crank Mechanism
A stay arm or crank mechanism helps control the opening and closing angle of the window and holds the sash in place when needed. For windows that open outwards, the stay arm also prevents the sash from closing suddenly due to wind forces.
Window Glazing:
Most of the windows will be glazed with these three types of glass, which should be decided according to the needs when our project requires the installation of windows.
1. Tempered glass: This glass is usually used for security purposes and is heat treated to increase its strength and when broken it breaks into small, blunt pieces rather than sharp shards.
2. Low-e glass: this type of glass has a special coating that reflects infrared light to retain indoor heat in the winter. It is better to choose this type of glass when your house is in a cold area as it keeps the heat inside the house during the winter season, thus increasing the energy efficiency.
3. Laminated glass: Laminated glass consists of two or more layers of glass. It has a layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) in the centre which provides additional safety, security and noise reduction.
Weatherstripping.
Sealing strips, usually made of rubber, silicone or EPDM, are usually provided between the window frame and the window sash. The function of the sealing strip is to improve the air and water tightness of the window, reduce the exchange of indoor and outdoor air, and improve the thermal insulation performance of the window.
Thermal insulation strips
Modern aluminium casement windows often feature an insulating strip, a non-conductive material (e.g. polyamide or polyurethane) inserted between the inner and outer frames. This material reduces the transfer of heat and cold, improving the thermal performance and energy efficiency of the window.
Advantages of aluminium casement windows:
1.Provides an unobstructed view:
With no sliding sashes, casement windows provide a clear view of the exterior both when closed and when fully open. It pairs better with a viewing balcony than other styles of windows. This is because casement windows provide an open view and feature different angles of opening and closing.
2. Outstanding durability:
Aluminium alloy has good corrosion resistance, not easy to rust or rot, even in wet or harsh environments, it can remain in good condition for a long time. Therefore, aluminium casement window installation can still perform excellently in coastal or forest environments again.
In addition, aluminium profiles are not easily affected by UV rays or temperature changes, so after a long period of use, aluminium casement windows can still maintain their structural and cosmetic stability. This makes aluminium casement windows more suitable for coastal areas such as Australia or Malaysia. This is because PVC or other materials can darken under prolonged UV exposure.
3. Excellent sealing performance:
The structural design of aluminium casement windows gives them excellent sealing performance, which can effectively block outdoor wind, rain, dust and noise, and enhance indoor comfort and energy efficiency. Choose a quality aluminium casement window manufacturer – Hugh Aluminium.
Not only that, aluminium casement windows are watertight better than other materials. This is because the window frame consists of extruded aluminium profiles, a material that is strong and integrally formed. Therefore there are no problems of water leakage and infiltration to arise.
4. Flexible design of aluminium window frames
Window frames are assembled from aluminium profiles, a material obtained through the aluminium extrusion process. Different designs of aluminium window frames can be obtained by changing the extrusion die, and these designs can be matched with different types of glass and handles.
In addition, aluminium can be finished in a variety of ways (e.g. anodised, powder coated, etc.), providing a wide choice of colours and textures to suit a wide range of architectural styles.
5.Low maintenance costs and long service life:
Aluminium alloy has a smooth surface that is not easy to accumulate dust and dirt, making daily cleaning relatively simple. And its surface treatment is corrosion-resistant, basically does not require complex maintenance. Compared to other materials, such as PVC or wood, aluminium window frames have the lowest maintenance costs.
The table below provides a clear comparison of the maintenance requirements and service life of aluminium, PVC and wood:
| Material type | Average life time | Factors affecting lifespan | Maintenance Requirement |
| Aluminium | 30-50 Years | Quality of finishing (e.g. anodising, painting) | Largely maintenance-free |
| Plastic vinyl (PVC) | 20-30 Years | PVC quality, environmental exposure (UV, temperature extremes), installation quality | Avoid strong physical shocks and clean regularly |
| Wood | 10-20 Years | Wood species (hardwood/softwood), climatic conditions, pest effects | Requires regular painting or lacquering, insect and anticorrosion treatment |
Limitations of aluminium casement windows
1. Relatively high costs
While aluminium casement windows have low long-term maintenance costs, their initial installation costs can be high, especially when fitted with advanced configurations such as high-performance double-pane insulated glass. If you’re on a tight budget, vinyl windows may be a more cost-effective alternative with good energy efficiency.
2. Need outdoor unobstructed space:
If you plan to install casement windows on the first floor of your home, consider the outdoors. Open aluminium casement windows can obstruct pavements, parked cars or plants. If you don’t want to trim plants or remove casement windows, casement windows may not be right for you. Sliding windows will work better for you when you have these problems!
3. Extremely cold weather can affect aluminium
Aluminium is a good conductor of heat, which means it allows heat to escape from the inside of your home in cold weather. Even with insulation, aluminium casement windows may not be as energy efficient as other materials such as vinyl or wood in extremely cold climates.
Are aluminium casement windows the best option?
Aluminium casement windows add a modern touch to your house design. They are durable and last up to 50 years, making it a good investment compared to other materials.
Aluminium casement windows come in a variety of styles and sizes to suit different types of houses. Their modern aesthetic and durability make them a popular choice for many homeowners. The lightweight design possibilities they offer are beneficial for many types of designs. Aluminium casement windows are a versatile and durable option, but they may not be suitable for every situation. If you live in an extremely cold climate, have a historic or traditional home, or need superior insulation or soundproofing, you may want to consider other window materials.
If you are looking for aluminium casement window replacements or bulk purchases (or any type of aluminium window). Hugh aluminium can help – we are a large manufacturer of aluminium window and door frames. If you need to purchase a batch of high quality aluminium windows for a project our dedicated team can help.
frequently asked questions
1.Aluminium windows don’t open or close smoothly
The cause of the problem in this case could be rusty or loose hardware in the window. For example, deformation on the locks or tracks. The solution to face these problems can be to clean or lubricate the window tracks regularly. Replace or repaint the handles when they are rusty.
2.Corrosion or discolouration of window surfaces
When fading or rusting occurs on the surface of aluminium windows, the vast majority of the reasons are due to problems with the manufacturer’s quality management. We should choose a high quality aluminium window manufacturer —— Hugh Aluminium, a large aluminium manufacturer with ISO 9001 quality management certification.
3.Does your company offer window and door installation?
As you can see, we are a manufacturer of aluminium windows and door frames. Our scope is the production and design of windows and doors and therefore does not complicate their installation. However, we will provide complete after-sales and installation instructions. Some of our customers’ windows will be pre-installed in the factory, depending on the requirements of your building project.
