Aluminium Windows Technical

Dimensions

All opening vents are hung on concealed stainless steel variable angle friction stays with easy clean, egress hinge as standard where possible.

Side hung windows can be up to 900mm wide and up to 1300mm high.

Top hung windows up to 1300mm wide x 1300mm high with restricted hinges where required.

For larger panes we also offer inward opening tilt & turn windows up to 1500mm wide x 1500mm high although greater heights can be achieved by reducing the with up to 2400mm maximum.

Profile

Clean slim-line square edged profiles provide a contemporary look, much sought after in modern design architecture. The aluminium profile incorporates chambered sections which enable larger vent designs to be achieved due to the increased strength and stability provided. A polyamide thermal break delivers optimum thermal efficiency and greatly reduces the risk of cold transfer from the outside to the inside associated with older traditional aluminium window systems.

Security

All opening vents offer a very high level of security and give a quick smooth and easy operation. As standard vents would be fitted with an internal key-lockable handle to operate espagnolette multipoint locking mechanism however, non-key locking handles can be supplied for fire escape windows. Each individual locking point is on an eccentric cam, which allows adjustment to ensure a tight compression seal. Casement windows have an additional locking point enabling a partial opening position for ventilation (night vent position)

The lockable window handle has a 90 degree stop position for espagnolette window locks. In operation the handles are opened by pushing the cylinder button and the handle locks automatically when closed, however for additional security the cylinder can also be deadlocked with the key.

As standard all opening and dummy vents are internally beaded for additional security, alternatively an externally glazed system is possible.

For high level and hard to reach windows we are able to fit automated window opening mechanisms that can work via a crank handle or electric motor.

Weather seals

System tested and approved to the highest BS 6375: Part 1 exposure Category and conforms to BS7950: 1977 Weather Tightness classification:
Air Permeability Class ‘C’.
Water Tightness – 600pa.
Wind resistance – 2400pa

Appearance

Our aluminium windows are available as standard in polyester powder coated White, Anthracite Grey RAL 7016 or Grey Aluminium RAL 9007 and in a semi-gloss finish. Handles are available in Black, White or Chrome only, however, there is an option to colour code the tilt and turn handle or even the option of a stainless steel effect handle.

Other RAL colours (over 201 colours available), or even different colours to the inside and outside, or wood grain effect are available for a nominal charge. In addition you can specify the gloss level of paint finish. For systems installed within 5000m from a shoreline the requirement for Marine environment paint finish is also available. A Marine grade consists of all profiles being first cut to length then powder coated with a coating at least 60 microns ensuring there is no exposed aluminium meeting at the corner joints. For more information please contact our technical sales department.

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  • Ventilation
  • Trickle vents with an airflow equivalent to either 2500mm² or 5000mm² can also be incorporated with the addition of a 20mm add-on head profile; these also can be colour coded to suit.

Fire Escape

Under Document B of Building Regulations it is a requirement that windows in habitable rooms in upper storeys of domestic dwellings, which are serviced by only one stair, be designed to provide a means of escape.

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  • The window must have an opening area of at least 0.33m² and be a minimum of 450mm in each direction. The bottom of the opening area should be no more that 1100mm above the internal floor. To accommodate this requirement windows must be designed with larger opening top hung vents or side hung vents fitted with fire egress hinges. Note: The clear opening calculation must take into account the area taken up by the opening vent. As a guide it is best to specify the dimension from outer frame to centre of mullion to be a minimum of 650mm to comply.
  • Egress hinges open to 90° and by pressing a button on both the top and bottom friction stay hinges this allows the vent to slide fully across thus providing an unobstructed means of escape. Egress hinges also enable high level windows to be cleaned easily from the inside.

Customised

Dummy sash inserts are available when equal glass sightlines are required, providing a balanced appearance.

Designs can be customised according to your preference – the options include mid-rails, mullions, plant-on bars with dummy spacer grids, deeper top and bottom profiles and solid in-fill panels, among many others.

Glazing

The system is internally glazed and depending upon type can accommodate glass thickness from 4mm to 36mm. Our standard 28mm unit comprises of 4mm clear toughened glass with Low ‘e’ to the inner pane x 20mm argon gas cavity x 4mm clear toughened glass to comply with building regulations for safety and thermal efficiency. All units are BS kite marked, manufactured to BS6206A and BS5713 standards.

• New Window Energy Ratings
  • Window Energy Ratings are similar labels to what you will find in an electrical superstore when you are buying white goods, they range from band A to G with A being the most efficient.  When a window achieves an A band on the label it means that a window is equally balanced, it will let through as much energy from outside vs. the amount of energy it looses from inside by the use of Low-Iron outer panes and Low-e inner panes.  The transfer from energy from outside is called solar gain and is measured with a G-Value and the heat losses from inside are measured with a U-Value.
  • This is very important information to consider when purchasing windows.  Whilst an A rating may sound as though it is the best window available you might want to consider if you will be a benefitting with an A rated window over a B or a C.
  • For example a window on a North Elevation or in a shaded position will not benefit from solar gain as there would be no direct sunlight or energy pass through the glazing, so it would be better to benefit from improved thermally efficiency (U-value) to reduce heating bills.  You might have a large number of windows on a South Elevation that you don’t want to act like a Greenhouse and let through vast amounts of heat.  In this situation of the undesirable ‘Greenhouse effect’ on windows many customers like the benefits of Anti-sun or Solar Control glass, however if this glass was specified it may not comply with replacement regulations, as it reduces the solar gain (g-value) although they would give a more comfortable living environment.
  • Because of this IDSystems prefer to prioritise on offering the most thermally efficient windows (this is the heat loss) as after all this is what you will notice in the way of your heating bills and you wouldn’t usually have your heating on when the windows are experiencing the highest level of Solar gain during the summer!
  • At IDSystems we will always ensure that our products will meet or surpass current regulations and are always improving the quality and range of our products to offer improved thermal efficiencies and Window Energy Ratings.
  • For further advice please contact our technical sales department.

IDSystems offer a wide choice of glazing options, including internal venetian or pleated blinds which can be incorporated inside the glazed unit. These are very popular, especially on internally opening systems where curtains are not practical.