Framed! Aluminium Windows Prove Their Versatility and Style
Once considered cheap and charmless, aluminium window and door frames are now a stylish way to let in light and air
Virtually all commercial buildings, apartment blocks and 75 per cent of Australian houses now have aluminium-framed windows. Besides their durability, low maintenance, cost effectiveness and resistance to the harsh Australian climate, they are also an ideal way to open up your home to natural light with expansive windows and sliding doors, thanks to the lightness and strength of aluminium. So while we appreciate timber frames for their warmth and more traditional appearance, here we examine aluminium windows with a new frame of mind.
In comparison, these floor-to-ceiling windows are framed in black aluminium, drawing attention to the windows and complementing the darker furnishings.
Sliding doors
Large panes of glass in timber or steel frames can be heavy to move, but aluminium frames are much lighter than most materials, making them easier to slide along the rails.
Large panes of glass in timber or steel frames can be heavy to move, but aluminium frames are much lighter than most materials, making them easier to slide along the rails.
Stacking sliding doors with grey powder-coated aluminium frames open this interior right up to capture that indoor-outdoor feel.
Glass doors and their transparent benefits
Glass doors and their transparent benefits
Indoor-outdoor room dividers
While aluminium-clad sliding doors divide indoor and outdoor spaces, they can also create a seamlessness between rooms. This is because the thickness of such frames is often much narrower than other materials, thanks to aluminium’s strength.
Also, the colour of aluminium can either be left in its natural silvery colour, or powder-coated to blend in with the surrounding spaces’ colour palettes. Here, the light colour harmonises with the cool and calm look and feel of the house.
While aluminium-clad sliding doors divide indoor and outdoor spaces, they can also create a seamlessness between rooms. This is because the thickness of such frames is often much narrower than other materials, thanks to aluminium’s strength.
Also, the colour of aluminium can either be left in its natural silvery colour, or powder-coated to blend in with the surrounding spaces’ colour palettes. Here, the light colour harmonises with the cool and calm look and feel of the house.
Similarly, here windows and glass doors physically divide a timber-lined outdoor space from the kitchen and living room without visually separating them. The aluminium-clad windows continue across the full-length of the open-plan living space, allowing for plenty of natural light and views of nature.
Splashback windows
A long ribbon window serves as a splashback in this oceanside kitchen while offering incredible views of the water. And clad in aluminium, it’s easy to clean as well as being more resistant to the salt spray of it’s beach-side location.
More on ribbon windows
A long ribbon window serves as a splashback in this oceanside kitchen while offering incredible views of the water. And clad in aluminium, it’s easy to clean as well as being more resistant to the salt spray of it’s beach-side location.
More on ribbon windows
Flexibility of design
Aluminium windows add extra flexibility to design, whether it’s the size of the windows or doors, or, in this case, the shape. Aluminium frames follow the angled lines of the double gable roof, as well as striating the upper section of the windows.
What type of roof do you have?
Aluminium windows add extra flexibility to design, whether it’s the size of the windows or doors, or, in this case, the shape. Aluminium frames follow the angled lines of the double gable roof, as well as striating the upper section of the windows.
What type of roof do you have?
High or low contrast
Black aluminium frames are high-contrast additions to this timber and white living space. They not only frame fantastic views, but draw attention to the landscape outside.
Black aluminium frames are high-contrast additions to this timber and white living space. They not only frame fantastic views, but draw attention to the landscape outside.
Conversely, light-coloured aluminium frames are a subtle complement to this room, letting the focus fall on the timber-lined floor, wall and ceiling.
Extra strength
Aluminium is structurally strong and capable of withstanding extremes of weather, especially in high-wind areas. Plus, this durability doesn’t make them look heavy, as aluminium frames also offer clean lines and minimal visual obstruction.
Aluminium is structurally strong and capable of withstanding extremes of weather, especially in high-wind areas. Plus, this durability doesn’t make them look heavy, as aluminium frames also offer clean lines and minimal visual obstruction.
Complementary colour
Aluminium can be powder-coated to either highlight feature windows and doors, or to complement the architecture or design of a room. Here, grey powder-coated windows mediate the colour shift between the timber-panelled room and nature outdoors.
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Do you prefer aluminium or timber frames? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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Aluminium can be powder-coated to either highlight feature windows and doors, or to complement the architecture or design of a room. Here, grey powder-coated windows mediate the colour shift between the timber-panelled room and nature outdoors.
TELL US
Do you prefer aluminium or timber frames? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
MORE
Find window specialists in your area
Aluminium frames have strength and lightness, making them ideal for the large expanses of glass that characterise modern and contemporary homes. The large glass panels and minimalist frames allow for maximum entry of light and unobstructed views.
Here, aluminium frames blend with the light colour palette of the living room and balcony, and visually merge with the walls and ceiling of the home.