What is standard aluminium framing?
A conventional aluminium frame is formed from continuous aluminium profiles. It is strong, stable, low-maintenance and capable of slim sightlines. Because aluminium conducts heat, the internal frame temperature can be influenced by outdoor conditions.
What does a thermal break do?
A thermally broken frame divides the inside and outside aluminium sections with a reinforced low-conductivity material, commonly polyamide. The separation interrupts the direct conductive path through the metal.
The objective is not to make aluminium non-conductive; it is to reduce heat flow through the frame and improve the performance of the complete window or door.
Where the difference matters most
- Cold climates and rooms where internal comfort is a priority
- Large windows and doors with substantial frame area
- High-performance double-glazed units
- Projects targeting improved whole-window U-values
- Homes concerned about cold internal frame surfaces and condensation risk
Do all thermally broken systems perform the same?
No. Thermal-break width, frame depth, internal chambers, glazing pocket, seals and glass all affect the result. A product should be compared using whole-window data rather than the presence of a thermal break alone.
Choosing between the two
Standard aluminium can remain a sensible option where budget, opening size, architecture and moderate performance targets align. Thermally broken framing becomes more compelling as energy targets rise or glazed areas increase.
Performance Windows & Doors offers standard residential and commercial systems as well as ThermAFrame® and other high-performance options.
Need advice for your project?
Performance Windows & Doors can help compare frame, glass and opening options for Canberra conditions.