During the winter, there are several ways to protect your aluminium windows. You can install double-glazing or self-adhesive foam strips. You can also use aluminium spacers and thermal breaks to insulate your windows. We’ve discussed a few strategies in this blog post to assist you in safeguarding your aluminium windows throughout the winter season.
Ways to Protect your Aluminium Windows
Here are some great tips shared by our experts for maintaining the shine of your aluminium windows:
Insulate with a thermal break
Using a thermal break to protect aluminium windows in the winter may be a good idea. Not only does it make the windows warmer, but it also helps to avoid condensation. Condensation can cause moisture to build up inside the frame and can damage the frame itself.
A thermal break is not the only type of insulation you should use in your window frames. Vinyl windows, which aren’t thermally conductive, don’t do much for the insulation of a room. However, thermal break insulation is a great idea for high-traffic areas. It prevents condensation from occurring and is also a great soundproofing device.
The best thermal break material is polyamide, which has 160 times the thermal conductivity of steel. In addition to being thermally efficient, polyamide is also a good choice for windows because it has similar expansion properties to aluminium.
Fortunately, new technology has been devised to solve the window insulation problem. It involves a specialized plastic strip between the inside and outside frames of the window. The strip is bonded together on both sides, and it’s placed in a gap between the inside and outside of the window frame.
Add self-adhesive foam strips.
Adding self-adhesive foam strips to aluminium windows can help prevent cold air from entering your home during the winter months. These strips can be purchased at any hardware store and are inexpensive. However, it’s important to choose the right material. There are several types of weather strips to choose from. These include pressure-sensitive adhesive-backed foam, foam tape, and felt strips.
Pressure-sensitive adhesive-backed foam is easy to install and comes in several different thicknesses. This type is best for sealing gaps in window sashes where the bottom of the sash closes against the door frame. It’s also useful for preventing draughts around hinges and around the window frame.
Foam tape is another inexpensive option for window weather stripping. It’s made from closed-cell foam, which makes it weather-resistant. It’s available in different widths and thicknesses, and it’s easy to cut to fit your window sash. It’s also easy to apply.
For larger gaps, a tubular vinyl gasket is a good option. It’s easy to apply, and you can fill in holes with removable rope caulk. However, this type of weather stripping does not last very long.
Felt strips are a traditional option, but they are not as durable as foam or vinyl. They’re inexpensive and come in a variety of colors and thicknesses. They’re also available in rolls, so they’re easy to install. However, they’re not as easy to remove when the weather gets warmer.
Replace spacers
Whether you’re replacing windows in your home or commercial building, it’s important to know what materials to use for window spacers. Choosing the right material can improve energy efficiency, prevent thermal bridging, and reduce condensation between panes.
Most replacement window spacers are made from either foam or metal. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Metal spacers are stronger and conduct heat better, but they’re also more likely to fail than foam spacers.
Insulate with aluminium spacers
Using aluminium spacers to insulate aluminium windows in the winter is not a good idea. Despite their effectiveness, aluminium spacers can cause fogging in the insulated glass unit (IGU).
Most windows are made of a double-pane IG unit, which means the window panes are separated by a spacer. A spacer maintains a gas gap between the panes, which helps to prevent moisture and heat from passing through. Spacers can be made from stainless steel, foam or aluminium. Stainless steel spacers provide an excellent moisture barrier and vapor barrier, but they are not as insulating as foam. They are also less resistant to contraction and expansion forces.
Foam spacers are often used for sound reduction. They are porous and can be placed by hand. These spacers are also better at adapting to IGU contraction, making them less susceptible to sealant movement. Foam spacers are typically made from closed-cell polymer foam. These spacers are not as conductive as aluminium spacers.
Metal spacers are usually made of aluminium or stainless steel. Metal spacers are the most conductive and are usually stronger. Metal spacers also conduct heat more easily. This makes it difficult for interior temperatures to rise.
Install double glazing
Whether you have a classic older style leadlight window or a modern style aluminium window, you can install double glazing to protect your home in the winter months. It can keep your home warmer, lower your energy bill, and improve the aesthetics of your home.
The main benefit of double glazing is the energy savings it can provide. It reduces heat loss by up to eighty percent and helps keep the extreme cold out of your home.
In addition to protecting your home from intruders, double-glazing can also reduce noise pollution. This is especially important in urban districts, where a busy neighbourhood can be disturbed by traffic noise.
In addition, double glazing can also improve your home’s energy efficiency. It’s true that 50% of your home’s heat is lost through the windows, but double glazing can reduce this by up to eighty percent.
Choosing the best type of double glazing is dependent on the needs of your home. For example, large windows that face the sun can benefit from double-glazing. In addition, aluminium material is a strong choice and is unlikely to rot in wet weather.
Another good reason to install double glazing to protect your home in the cold months is to reduce condensation. In some cases, condensation can lead to mould and viruses that can affect the health of your family.