Aluminium windows - advice please

Allright

I'm a newbie poster and hoping that somewhere out there someone can give me some advice about the following problem:

Six months ago we completed a dormer attic conversion, we used aluminium framed windows for a couple of reasons - colour finished to match the exterior, more eco friendly than uPVC and no maintenance (very important due to the very exposed nature of the position). The windows are argon filled and have K glass, but only because we particularly demanded them. There are no trickle vents.

Unfortunately we have always had a draft coming in at the hinge sides of one opening (have complained but told its normal!) and with the recent cold weather have discovered that the rubber seals have shrunk and now have cold air coming in around the actual window panes. We also have condensation on the frames, but we were warned about this!

What I need to ask is this: are the above problems normal for new aluminium windows & to be expected, or have the sub-standard/out of date windows been fitted?

We have the builders coming on Tuesday to look at the windows & am so annoyed with the windows that would love to be able to tell them to take them out and start again, but don't know if I would be over the top with this attitude! Help, please!!

blackiebest

Allright,

I am in the window business so you should know that from the start. We do not however make Alu windows only Aluclad wood windows.

Your problem; I feel it has nothing to do with the glass, these are sealed units and therefore independant of the frames within which they are installed. Your windows should NOT concede air or 'draught' at the hinge side. This is not normal and is a manufacturing defect. It should be possible to adjust the close mechanisim to prevent this, if not the manufacturer should R/R/R (repair, replace or refund).

The seals/gaskets around glass is rubber. This appears normal in the Alu window business however we would never use it for reasons stated ie. shrinkage. Silicone is the norm among reputable manufacturers.

Condensation on frames could be caused by a number of factors. I suspect from your post that you bought the windows and your builder installed? Windows should always be insulated between the frame and the opening using a quality low expanding foam. Did your installer do this?

I suspect you may have two seperate problems; 1) Bad window design and manufacture 2) Bad installation.

Pure Alu windows are more appropiate for commercial rather than domestic settings and the qty of 'cahmbers' can drastically affect the thermal performance of the window.

Hope this of some help.

Blackie

Mellor

You left out the most important factor in aluminium windows,
as alu conducts heat vry well, the inner and outer face of the frame needs to be separated by a thermal break,

Allright

Thanks Blackiebest & Mellor for your replies.

Mellor, I think you're right in your guess about the thermal break.

Blackiebest, the aluminium windows were our architects idea and specified in the planning permission - I think he did alot of commercial work. I do know that the builders had trouble sourcing the windows and at one stage suggested aluminium clad wooden windows, but we (in our innocence) assumed our architect knew what he was talking about and held out for the alu windows - big mistake as it turns out. Even our architect when he saw the windows stated he hadn't seen windows like ours for 15 years and didn't think they still made them like that - not exactly a vote of confidence you'll agree.

250882

OP Aluminium framed windows started out a long time ago. They were the main replacement for timber framed windows in the 80's as teak frames were expensive and aluminim gave the illusion of strenght however they soon realised that it led to windows cracking (expansion and contaction) excessive condensation on frames and glass and problems with coldbridging. Then PVC came along and revolutionised the industry (good or bad??)
Modern Aluminuum frames are thermally broken and generally have areally good U-Value but are much more expensive than PVC. Seems that your manufacturer never heard of these and put in some of the first generation.