This aïr MOD windows review takes a closer look at the trade benefits of the new aluminium system from Everglade. And explains why this unique design and concept provides sales and business benefits for installers buying in fabricated aluminium windows.
The philosophy behind the aïr MOD system windows is to make specifying, selling and installing aluminium windows significantly easier. Understanding aluminium windows also just got easier.
aïr MOD windows background
Everglade Windows is one of the best known trade fabricators in the UK. Trading over forty years, multi-award-winning and with one of the most high-tech factories, this London-based fabricators has made aluminium from day one. Over the years, Everglade has dealt with multiple systems such as Smarts, Reynaers and PVCu.
In creating aïr MOD windows, Everglade set out to create a simpler system with fewer options. At the same, the system offers all the choice in several different window types while removing all the complexity involved with aluminium systems. aïr MOD windows come in:
- Contemporary and traditional window styles
- Flush casement windows
- Steel look and a brand new Heritage steel look
- Tilt and turn windows
Overall aïr MOD windows for the trade use about 45% less components than other systems offering multiple variations of product.
aïr windows make aluminium easy to understand.
Study the market, and you’ll see multiple aluminium window systems. In the early years of aluminium, products were simple. Externally beaded casement windows with a basic set of extrusions, gaskets, seals and accessories.
Over the years aluminium systems evolved into multiple product types. Many of these use their own series of sections, gaskets, seals and accessories. Fabricators understand the complexities of aluminium systems better because they make the products. Installation companies buying in windows have a different learning process. This is especially the case for surveyors having to understand the options available within a system and the profile combinations needed at the property.
Then installers have a different learning method understanding the gaskets and seals needed and loose sections such as cills and add-ons.
The result is that every aluminium system has its own set of ‘quirks’ meaning the more systems a business sells, the more they need to know.
The aïr MOD systems has simplified this entire process with a fully integrated and holistic system of windows, taking the head-scratching away.
Well-known issues solved by aïr MOD windows
Every installer, surveyor, order processor and even technically-trained salespeople will be familiar with any of these scenarios where their business sells one aluminium window version. And pretty much everyone does. Most installers sell casements, a flush version and steel-look product.
Understanding U-Values
When it comes to U-Values on multiple systems they’ll be aware different versions of a system come with their own set of performance figures. aïr MOD windows come with the same U-Values regardless of the version chosen.
So when it comes to selling one model for one customer and other version for another, U-Values are the same. Homeowners today understand and are aware of energy efficiency. Giving them the figures is now consistent across one system.
Mixing window products
Residential installations often call for one type of window at the front of the house and a different window style at the back if there’s a new and modern extension. In this scenario, installers may use a combination of systems. For a surveyor, this means knowing the ins and outs of different systems.
Take the Smart Systems Alitherm System. The Alitherm 300 system is different from the 600 or 800 and different again from the Alitherm 500 flush casement. Fixing positions, thermal break locations and more all differ. These window products are essentially separate products.
The aïr system is the same regardless of window option chosen. With aïr, all the surveyor or salesperson needs to do is ‘swap out’ one type of frame and sash combination for another. You’re working with one system not several.
Fitting different window systems
Speak to a good installer and they’ll tell you not every aluminium system is fitted in the same way. Screw positions, the location of fixing screws, where the thermal break is located and the overall method of fixing differs between a casement, a fixed light, a door/window combination or steel-look window.
All six aïr MOD window versions use exactly the same fixing method.
Getting hold of parts
Installers buying in a variety of products from different suppliers are all too aware of just how many different parts their fitting teams need. Then there is the added headache of figuring out the wedge and captive gaskets, brackets, screws etc. There are better-integrated systems available today, however, most still have parts unique to that particular window series.
Of course, a good trade supplier puts systems in place to help installers identify which parts go with the different window types. The reality is not every fitting team is as diligent on site. Gaskets are a great example. Installers and office staff needing to replace gasket will be all-too-aware of identifying the type of gasket. Is it 2mm, 3mm 4mm? What’s the colour of the stripe on the back? Is it a wedge or a flipper, does it have a tear-off strip or not?
Using the familiar scenario of additional gaskets, the aïr MOD windows for the trade has just five parts to work with across all window versions.
The same applies to window handles. One window system often comes designed to work with different brands of handles. Hoppe, Fab n Fix, VBH, and many more different handle brands are all designed to work with multiple systems. aïr windows come with a simplified range of accessories and essential items making life much easier for the installer.
aïr MOD windows compared
We’ve taken eight of most popular bought in systems and compared them to aïr MOD windows. Only Stellar and Sheerline offer a streamlined simplified system but they don’t come with as many window versions. All the other systems come as different window versions depending on the look you’re after. Some systems even offer more than one version of products like steel-look.
The purpose of this table is to illustrate that popular aluminium systems remain separate when it comes to choosing different window versions often with lots of frame, mullion, vent and accessory combinations for the installer to decipher.
| Brand | Versions | Casement Types | Steel-Look | Flush Casement | Tilt & Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aïr MOD | 1 | ||||
| Smart | 7 | Alitherm 300,600, 800 Eco-Futural | Alitherm Heritage | Alitherm 500 | Alitherm 600 |
| Aluk | 6 | 58BW 77IWE | 58BW ST | 58BW Flush | 58BW TBT |
| Stellar | 1 | Stellar | No | Stellar | No |
| Sheerline | 2 | Classic | Classic | Classic | No |
| Comar | 5 | 5p.1 Eco LT | No | No | 5P.1 |
| Reynaers | 8 | MasterLine SlimLine 38 & 68 CS77 & 68 ES50 | CS 24-SL Slimline 38 | Yes | Yes |
| Origin | 2 | OW70 | No | OW80 | No |
Schuco, as usual, goes beyond the standard requirements of most installers having 12 different types of windows this number gets even bigger when you take in the specialist versions.
aïr MOD windows – conclusion
The design of the new aïr system is very much targeted at installers buying in fabricated aluminium windows looking to offer multiple types of window styles without needing to learn different systems and versions within systems. Gone is the complexity but retained is the range with casement, flush casement, steel-look and heritage windows all under one product.
The simplicity of the system makes it ideal where different types of windows are needed, say on the front elevation of a house compared to the back. It’s as simple as a change in sash and frame profile while retaining the same accessories. Gone is the head-scratching figuring out the many different versions available with aluminium systems and what’s the best product, combination and profiles required.
For the salesman, surveyor, installer and even the order processor, understanding an aluminium window product just got easier.
Look around most trade-focused systems and the benefits don’t really resonate with the end-user. However, window aesthetics, performance, quality and several window types under one system are good sales propositions.
aïr MOD windows also form part of the aïr brand, supplied by high-end home improvement companies in the South of England. Everglade Windows as a trade manufacter is well-known for lead times and service as well as providing their trade client base with other business services to support them and help them sell more.
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