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When choosing new windows for your home or business premise there are three main points to consider. Firstly, how thermally efficient and energy saving will they be? Secondly, are they strong enough to withstand break-ins and, thirdly, will they require time-consuming maintenance on an ongoing basis. Most new windows will take care of at least two of these points, but if you want to cover all three, then it may be time to consider investing in low U-Value aluminium windows from EKCO.
In recent years, soaring energy costs have encouraged home and business owners to carefully examine ways in which they can save money which is, quite literally, flying out the window. Changing energy suppliers is usually the first course of action along with better insulation for your home or business premises. Next, we need to examine how energy efficient our home is.
For example, do you need to turn on the heating when it’s not particularly cold outside? If so, you could be losing heat via your existing windows. Energy efficiency in the home is measured in U-Values; the lower the U-Value, the more energy efficient your home or business premises is so when it comes time for you to invest in new windows you should choose a product with a low U-Value to keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer.
Aluminium windows are often overlooked when it comes to saving energy as metal, unlike timber, is not a naturally low thermal conductor which reduces heat transfer across a window frame.
However, aluminium windows have a thermal break inserted into the frame. A thermal break is a layer of non-metal material, such as reinforced polyamide, which acts as a barrier to heat loss thereby making aluminium window frames energy efficient.
One of EKCO’s main aluminium window suppliers is Origin, who employ a unique thermally efficient compound called Aerogel within their aluminium frames.
Aerogel was originally developed to be an insulator for space suits to keep astronauts warm in space. Now this same technology can ensure that the U-Value of your home or business premises can achieve ratings as low as 0.8.
However, it’s not just the choice of low U-Value aluminium frames which make your windows energy efficient, it’s also whether you choose to fit double or triple glazing.
This choice should, in part, be based on where your home or business premises is located. For example, if you live in a naturally colder part of the country, or if your windows don’t get the sun during the day, then it may be wise to choose triple glazing, otherwise double-glazed windows may be sufficient.
One of the major benefits of choosing energy efficient aluminium windows rather than timber or uPVC windows is the flexibility it offers when it comes to design. Because aluminium is a metal, it can be shaped to create almost any window design whether rectangular, round, triangular or even trapezium.
This flexibility allows for a wide range or unique window designs which is perfect for architecturally designed homes or business premises such as restaurants or bars.
Aluminium is not only flexible, but also strong enough to create window frames with slimmer sightlines. This means less frame and more glass which allows in more natural daylight – perfect for fixed pane floor to ceiling, full-height windows.
Keeping intruders out and our loved ones safe is a key factor in choosing new windows. And, if you own a business you will want to keep your insurance premiums low and go to sleep at night knowing that your premises will be free from break-ins. At EKCO, your safety is our priority, which is why we ensure that our range of aluminium windows have achieved police-preferred Secured By Design status.
Unlike uPVC, aluminium window frames will never warp. Unlike timber, which required some maintenance during its lifetime, aluminium frames are virtually maintenance free and will look as good in decades to come as the day they are installed. Energy efficient aluminium frames are also an excellent choice if your home or business premises is located on the coast as they are more resistant to the negative effects of sea air which can cause rot, mould or dampness in timber windows.
Finally, it’s good to know that aluminium is one of the most sustainable building materials available and can be recycled time and again without losing any of its original qualities. So, choosing thermally efficient aluminium windows may mean investing a little more than windows manufactured from less expensive materials but, rest assured, that they won’t cost the Earth.
To find out more about energy efficient aluminium windows from EKCO contact us on 01506 857 007 or visit our showroom at Uphall, near Livingston.
54 West Main Street, Uphall, West Lothian, EH52 5DW ‘Parking available’
Mon - Fri 8:30am - 4:30pm, Sat 9:30am - 4:30pm, Sun: Closed
