The Origin Twin Flush window was launched on 1st October 2015 and features many innovations for an aluminium window. Origin offer several ‘firsts’, specifications and options that you won’t find on any other aluminium window marketed for the domestic and light commercial sector.
So for the domestic market Origin is to be credited with creating something quite unique compared to other aluminium windows and provides extra choice for homeowners and installers. At the same time Origin bring to their new aluminium window service levels, specifications and choice that few can match.
Do consumers and installers have choice?
Our own aluminium systems directory lists companies with products you’ll rarely see offered by installers.
The average homeowner doesn’t have access to every single window system on the market. Residentially at least home improvements simply don’t work this way.
When it comes to looking for aluminium windows for the residential market, it can be argued that the aluminium window sector has stabilised itself on just a few systems. Installers are hardly spoilt for choice when everywhere you go you’ll see the same aluminium systems on sale.
The residential home improvement market for aluminium windows appears to be served by just a few systems companies with established aluminium windows catering for the domestic market. These are the products that most end users see and most installers offer:
- Smart Systems
- AluK Systems
- SAPA Building Systems
- Reynaers
- Schuco
Given the size of the national firms, aluminium windows by Everest and Anglian should also be mentioned here.
Trade Suppliers of aluminium windows are also ‘guilty’ of not providing choice. For any installer looking for a provider of aluminium windows it is often the case that these same systems will be on offer. There are large numbers of trade supply aluminium window manufacturers that typically supply AluK, Smarts and SAPA. Nothing wrong with this and more recently some have branched out into Schuco and Reynaers to complement their product ranges.
What about aluminium windows used commercially?
We all too often ignore dwellings that are constructed as part of commercial contracts. These are contracts carried out for main contractors but the construction projects themselves are actually developments of dwellings.
In most modern apartments you’ll find windows by Kawneer, Metal Technology and Senior Architectural.
Here you’ll see aluminium windows from long established systems companies some of which have truly outstanding aluminium windows. These you’ll rarely see on offer by your local installer.
It’s unfair for these systems companies’ windows to be regarded as commercial when the reality is their very well made and designed windows end up being used by buyers of new build homes and apartments in a domestic setting!
- Metal Technology
- Senior Architectural Systems
- Comar
- Kawneer
- Technal
- Aluprof
So if this is the case, why aren’t local installers also offering these window brands?
The divide between commercial and residential.
It is the clear division between commercial and residential contracts that seems to be limiting real choice of homeowners. There are your average domestic installers that only do domestic replacement window work and other installers are set up to provide windows for commercial contracting. Even the systems companies own websites give a clear message as to whether their products are targeted at the end user or commercial and specification sector.
So if you live in a recently constructed apartment it’s quite likely that whilst you may have an AluK, Smarts or SAPA window, you may also have a window from another system that you won’t find widely available.
As well as Schuco or Reynaers there are systems companies such as Kawneer, Gutmann, Hansen, Hunter Douglas, Hueck and others that have been innovating in aluminium windows for many years already. They too can offer some pretty sophisticated windows in their product portfolio. But they can also achieve what the mainstream systems can’t.
It’s no different for PVCu windows.
We believe there can be restricted choice for PVCu windows and composite doors as well. Visit most typical plastic window showrooms and all to often you’ll see the same brands of windows and doors. Rehau, Kommerling, Synseal, Liniar, Residence 9, Evolution Windows and Solidor are just a few very popular examples.
Just like aluminium the availability of identical PVCu products across many showrooms not only demonstrates that these products are great but they’re products that installers want to sell. Importantly it proves the end user customers like them too.
Creating bespoke windows.
The Schuco Parametric system is a fantastic example of what some systems can create with aluminium.
In marketing to the end user, the term ‘bespoke’ is rather overused when the reality is they’re made to order and rarely bespoke in the true sense of the word.
For those architects or clients that are looking for something absolutely unique, there are aluminium systems companies that can create you truly bespoke windows.
We are not talking about windows to your chosen colour, window handle style, opening options or sizes. This is the creation of windows for specific projects and to a specific design. Here special extrusions are designed and produced. One-off aluminium windows are made to meet a specific client design need or where the window is required to perform a particular function. Even powder manufacturers can be asked to create a colour not to be found in an RAL colour swatch.
Schuco and others do this brilliantly for architects and those with something exact in mind if they’re prepared to pay the cost of it.
So next time a homeowner is looking to replace their old windows or a window installer is looking to add aluminium to their product ranges it’s quite likely they will come across the same brands of windows.
However for the architect, designer and discerning buyer there are other established aluminium windows and doors in the market that many don’t consider and some have never heard of. If you’re presently on the hunt for an aluminium window or door to meet a specific design or requirements, please contact us.
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