Among the various essential functions of windows and doors, there is certainly also that of protecting the house from external agents. But what do we mean when we talk about windows and doors with good resistance to weathering? The article will show how aluminium is the most reliable material in this respect.

Windows and doors: resistance to weathering and weather resistance

Windows serve as a barrier between the outside of the house and its interior, which must always guarantee an optimal level of comfort for tenants. To guarantee this living comfort, but also a certain degree of security, it is essential that windows and doors are suitably resistant to all types of weather and weathering: from violent rain to wind, from strong sunlight to the salt-rich air typical of marine environments, and so on.

Why a window and door must be strong

Especially when present in a violent and repeated manner, weathering can have a significant impact on the performance of windows and doors and their durability. Indeed, constant exposure to such weathering can lead to structural damage, deterioration of the frame material, and a progressive loss of efficient energy use.
For all these reasons, when choosing a quality window and door, particular attention must be paid to its resistance, meaning the solidity of the material from which it is made and its ability to effectively resist any weather elements. It is important to bear in mind, then, that resistance to weathering often goes hand in hand with resistance to break-ins by intruders, thus increasing the security of one’s home.

The importance of window and door resistance for energy saving

If a window and door is poorly weatherproofed, it is more likely to become damaged or deteriorate over time. Such a compromised window and door will decrease its thermic insulation capacity, thus causing losses of heat or fresh air generated by heating and air-conditioning systems.
In other words, a weak window and door causes the dispersion of up to 30-35% of the energy used to heat or cool the room, thus making the house very inefficient from an energy point of view. This has negative repercussions not only on eco-sustainability and environmental friendliness, but also on the electricity bill.

How to choose weather-resistant windows and doors

The strength of a window and door is a very essential feature to consider. Not only as such, but also because it can influence the other properties of the window and door. For example, how long a window and door will last depends largely on its ability to withstand the weather. The ease of cleaning and maintenance of a window and door will also depend a lot on its state of decay caused by the weather.
Similar examples could be given for all the requirements a window and door should have: burglar-proofing, thermic insulation and acoustic insulation, high living comfort, absence of thermal bridges2 .
When looking for quality windows and doors, therefore, we must make sure that resistance is an essential priority. The resistance of windows and doors to weathering is often tested in the laboratory before they are put on the market.
These tests are carried out by simulating extreme climatic conditions: very heavy rain, wind at very high speeds, UV radiation, strong temperature variations. The tests aim to assess the material’s durability over time and its ability to maintain its performance qualities regardless of the wear and tear generated by these weathering.
When choosing windows and doors, it is therefore advisable to ask for confirmation of the results obtained from tests of this type. It must be considered that one does not need to live in a case located in extreme climatic conditions to need windows and doors that are resistant to weathering; these may include strong summer sunlight, day/night temperature ranges, or exposure to high levels of air pollution.

Weather resistance in aluminium, wood and PVC windows and doors

If aluminium, wood and PVC have emerged over time as the best materials for windows and doors, there are good reasons; one of these is undoubtedly their resistance to weathering. Having said this, however, it is necessary to go into detail and observe how aluminium stands out for its exceptional weather resistance, thus contributing to maintaining a comfortable, safe and energy-efficient internal environment.
Wood is certainly a durable material with many other advantages, but it cannot be said to guarantee exceptional performance when weathered over the long term. In order to increase its performance in this respect, it requires rather frequent maintenance, both by experts and by the inhabitants of the house. This could of course be at the expense of practical and functional daily living.
PVC is a plastic material that certainly has good resistance to weathering. But it must be chosen of excellent quality to avoid it undergoing deformations that, even if minimal, would compromise the resistance and performance of the window and door in the long term. Then there is the problem of customisation: those who want PVC windows and doors with colours and finishes other than plain white will have to resort to films which, subject to the action of the most varied weathering, may tend over time to become damaged, detach or discolour.
To be sure of choosing a truly weather-resistant window and door without fear of a loss of performance over time, the ideal solution is to rely on aluminium windows and doors

The resistance of aluminium windows and doors: 6 advantages

Aluminium is a metal alloy with numerous advantages in the production of high-quality windows and doors. Thanks to these advantages, which contribute to the durability and efficiency of windows and doors over time, aluminium is the best overall material for windows and doors.
But going into specifics, here are the main advantages of aluminium in terms of weathering and resistance.

Solidity-lightness combination

An outstanding feature of aluminium is that it is a very light yet solid and resistant material. This unique combination makes aluminium the ideal material for the construction of windows and doors that must withstand, without being extremely rigid, phenomena such as strong wind gusts, heavy rain or other violent climatic events.

Stainlessness and salt resistance

Aluminium is a naturally corrosion-resistant material. As it does not oxidise, it is able to maintain its performance and structural integrity even in adverse weather conditions.
Similarly, aluminium is the ideal material for window and door frames in seaside houses, as it does not corrode due to the action of the salt in the air in such environments. In contrast to materials such as iron and steel, aluminium is also the material of choice for the joints and hinges of windows and doors and shading systems such as shutters, especially in houses very close to the sea, due to its stainless properties4 .

UV resistance

The features seen so far of aluminium make it a particularly effective material even in those latitudes where there is strong solar radiation, and even if it should strike the window and door in a direct and extended manner. While the sun’s UV rays may have a negative impact on other materials, for example by deteriorating surfaces or fading colours, this is not the case with aluminium.

Versatility and customisation

As a very light and flexible material, aluminium can be easily moulded to suit a range of architectural styles without ever compromising its structural strength.
Furthermore, in aluminium, customisation of colours and finishes goes hand in hand with resistance to weathering, as these never damage it. How is this possible? Quite simply, because colours and finishes are applied to aluminium windows and doors not by means of films, but by oxidation or painting operations that are extremely resistant over time.
You can therefore choose your aluminium windows and doors in a very wide range of colours, from the most minimal to the brightest to pastels, as well as in finishes that best suit the style of your home: sandblasted, anodised, opaque, extra-glossy… all this without ever fearing that a customisation of this kind will be damaged over time by the elements.

No maintenance requirements

Compared to other materials, aluminium requires very little maintenance so that windows and doors have a long service life. The intrinsic strength of aluminium reduces the need for anti-corrosion treatments, frequent painting or other major routine or extraordinary maintenance. Aluminium windows are therefore the best solution in terms of functionality and practicality.

Compatibility with wood for a unique window and door

Aluminium is a material that can be easily combined with wood to obtain a window and door with a double face, capable of satisfying any technical and stylistic requirement. METRA Building’s exclusive Aluminium-wood line, for example, allows the use of wood for the internal part of the frame, so that tenants can enjoy the warmth and timeless elegance of this material; however, combining it with aluminium on the external part, thus guaranteeing maximum resistance to weathering without the need for any special intervention.

Resistance to weathering of METRA Building aluminium windows and doors

Thanks to its natural properties, aluminium is confirmed as a particularly ideal material for windows and doors, offering a unique combination of strength, durability and very low maintenance. Its ability to withstand weathering and the most violent weather conditions makes it a reliable choice to face any climatic challenge, while guaranteeing comfort and efficient energy use.
The aluminium windows and doors offered by METRA Building offer this and much more, as the material used for these products is of the highest quality. METRA Building proposes casement or sliding windows and patio doors, in each case made of 100% recyclable aluminium that can withstand weathering without altering its qualities over time. The same can be said of METRA Building’s shading systems, such as shutters and sun shades.