Aluminium systems

Why we build so much in aluminium

Almost everything we supply and fit outside the house is aluminium: windows, doors, pergolas, verandas, gates, fencing, balustrades, shutters and bin stores. That’s no accident. Aluminium is light, stiff and strong, it doesn’t rot or rust like steel, and once it’s powder coated it needs very little looking after. In a wet, windy, salty climate, that’s exactly what you want from something that’s going to be outside for decades.

What the products are made from

Window, door and garden systems are made from aluminium extrusions: profiles formed by pushing heated aluminium alloy through a shaped die. The alloys used for architectural work are chosen to be strong but easy to extrude and finish. The profiles are then cut, machined and assembled into the finished product.

On anything that separates inside from outside, such as windows, doors and glass rooms, the profiles include a thermal break. This is a strip of insulating polyamide that splits the frame into a warm inner half and a cold outer half. It’s the reason modern aluminium windows are warm to the touch and free of condensation, when the old ones weren’t.

Powder coating and colour

Our aluminium products are finished in polyester powder coat. The aluminium is cleaned and pre-treated, sprayed with electrostatically charged powder, then baked in an oven, so the coating fuses into a hard, even skin. The result is tougher than paint and doesn’t need repainting.

• Any RAL colour. Anthracite grey (RAL 7016) is the most popular choice by a distance, followed by black, white and various bronzes.
• Matt, gloss and textured finishes. Fine-textured finishes hide fingerprints and marks well on gates and fences.
• Dual colour. Windows and doors can be one colour outside and another inside.
• Coastal pre-treatment. Near the sea, ask for a marine-grade pre-treatment under the powder coat. It gives the finish much better protection against salt.

Aluminium compared with the alternatives

• uPVC is cheaper up front but needs thicker frames for the same strength, and some colours and foils age less well. Aluminium vs uPVC windows goes into the detail.
• Timber is beautiful and warm, but it needs regular painting or oiling and doesn’t love Irish weather.
• Steel is stronger still and very slim, but heavier, more expensive and prone to rust if the finish is damaged.
• Composite and wood-plastic materials suit decking and fencing boards. We often pair them with aluminium frames and subframes.

Everything we supply and fit in aluminium

Looking after aluminium

Wash the frames with warm water and a mild detergent two or three times a year. If you’re within sight of the sea, do it every couple of months, as salt left sitting on the surface is what attacks finishes. Don’t use abrasive pads, solvents or pressure washers up close. Keep drainage slots in window and door frames clear, and put a drop of light oil on hinges and locks once a year. That’s genuinely about it.

Aluminium FAQs

Does aluminium rust?

No. Aluminium doesn’t rust the way steel does. It naturally forms a thin oxide layer that protects it. In salty or polluted air, unprotected aluminium can still corrode on the surface, which is why a good powder coat and, near the coast, a marine-grade pre-treatment matter.

What colour is RAL 7016?

RAL 7016 is anthracite grey, a dark blue-grey. It’s the most popular colour for aluminium windows, doors, gates and pergolas in Ireland, because it suits both modern and traditional houses and hides dirt well.

Can powder-coated aluminium be repainted?

It can, but it rarely needs to be. A damaged or dated finish can be re-coated, either by stripping and re-powder-coating off site or with specialist on-site coatings. Choosing the right colour and finish at the start is far easier.

Is aluminium environmentally friendly?

Aluminium can be recycled again and again without losing its properties, and a large share of the aluminium ever produced is still in use. Because it lasts for decades without painting or replacement, the long service life also counts in its favour.

Why does aluminium cost more than uPVC?

The material and the system engineering cost more, and aluminium systems are usually built for longer life, slimmer frames and bigger glass. Over the life of the product, the gap narrows, because aluminium needs very little maintenance and lasts longer.