There are many words and phrases that are thrown around in the home improvement sector may not be entirely clear. Have you nodded along politely while someone explained what makes a Gable-End conservatory different from an Edwardian style? Do you skim over words and phrases like “astragal bar” and “cornice” and hope for the best?
Our experts have put together a guide to one of the most important terms to consider when it comes to aluminium windows. What does “thermally broken” mean and what does it mean for you?
You might read the word “broken” and assume that this phrase refers to some negative aspect of aluminium windows. Instead, it’s a hugely positive feature – one of many when it comes to the advantages of these modern windows – and it’s one you’ll definitely want to pay close attention to and understand.
If you think thermally broken aluminium windows sounds difficult to understand, the process and the features of this are also known as “polyamide thermal breaks” or the more straightforward “thermal efficiency” – in essence, that’s exactly what this refers to – how well with aluminium windows provide thermal efficiency, and how do they do this?
In short, very well, and here’s how.
Why Are Aluminium Windows Thermally Broken?
Compared to other materials like uPVC and timber, aluminium is incredibly good at conducting heat. This means that as your aluminium window heats up on the outside, the internal window would become too hot to touch; similarly, or conversely, in winter, your windows would be more prone to condensation, which will not only affect their aesthetics but their performance too.
As such, thermally broken aluminium windows don’t have this issue.
Aluminium windows are thermally broken with the addition of a physical “break” which acts as a barrier between your internal and external window. If it helps, think of a thermally broken aluminium window as a sandwich – there is aluminium on the inside and outside, with a thermal barrier between the two, as a filling. In simpler and less confusing terms, thermally broken aluminium windows have a barrier separating them to improve performance.
How Are Aluminium Windows Thermally Broken?
We work with the finest manufacturers and suppliers around to ensure that our aluminium windows are made in the most modern and high-performance ways possible. Modern thermal breaking uses a polyamide plastic strip – hence the polyamide thermal breaks we mentioned earlier – to act as the barrier between the aluminium on both sides of the window.
Previously, older aluminium windows were thermally broken using a liquid resin. This was less effective, and the glossy barrier was even visible when you looked between the aluminium. We believe you shouldn’t have to compromise on any aspect of your home improvement so a discreet polyamide strip works a lot more effectively in all regards. During the extrusion process to create aluminium windows, the external and internal profiles are manufactured separately and
then combined with the polyamide strip to create the finished window profile. We’ll save the extrusion process definition for another article.
What Thermally Broken Aluminium Windows Offer For You
When you invest in modern aluminium windows, you’re able to enjoy all the benefits of thermally broken window profiles for you and your property. The last thing you want is for your stylish home improvement to be too hot to handle. If aluminium windows conducted all the heat from the outside without a thermal break, the temperate would be too much.
In the colder months, you’ll want to preserve as much heat in your home as possible and keep the cold air at bay. As you close your windows and turn the heating up, the last thing you want is for cold air to permeate through your aluminium window frames without thermally broken technology within. Equally, all that built-up heat could conduct through your internal window to the outside, costing you warmth and money as you turn up your central heating.
Losing heat and letting in the cold are two key ways that homeowners suffer when it comes to the looks and performance of their property. If you were to own aluminium windows that are not thermally broken as they ought to be, your home would be under threat from damp, condensation on the windows, increased central heating bills and unsafe appliances with overheating internal windows. Thermally broken aluminium windows prevent this.
Thermally Broken Aluminium Windows From Abbey Aluminium
If you’re looking for thoroughly modern aluminium windows, look to the experts at Abbey Aluminium. We hope this guide has helped you to understand more about the advantages of thermally broken aluminium windows, what the process involves and how this benefits you and your home.
If you are looking for more advice about any and all aspects of your home improvement involving our cutting-edge aluminium windows and doors, we welcome you to contact us online or by phone on 0118 956 6866.
Or, if you’re ready to get started, you can complete an instant online quote. Enter your specifications to receive a competitive price for modern aluminium windows. We look forward to working with you soon.