Rather, they have a big part to play in determining energy usage, contract enforcement, longevity and the overall impression of how a building fits into its context.

That's arguably even more the case now as new construction schemes increasingly reflect worries around environmental performance and a drive to squeeze more out of existing buildings. There's plenty of construction activity in Chester itself, with conversion of former office buildings to residential, brownfield sites turned to new residential dwellings and larger development projects bringing new neighbourhoods to market.

In doing that, aluminium windows present an attractive mix of benefits when it comes to building new structures.

Why Aluminium is a Good Match for Architecture Today

Aluminum is nothing new in the commercial building sector. The metal has a long history as a building material, in part due to its strength and flexibility, and can be used to support large expanses of glazing while allowing relatively slender sightlines. That in turn supports flowing buildings flooded with light; exactly what many clients and architects look for in a new construction.

It makes an excellent option for developers too. Office buildings, residential accommodation, hotels, shops… there's a window system suitable for just about any application and any design. Where the client has a need for a particular opening configuration, design, size or material and finishing performance requirements, there'll be a product that can be adjusted to meet that need, rather than trying to crowbar a design into an opening system that's not best matched for the final outcome.

And then, of course, there's the look. A bare aluminum frame can be a skilful aesthetic match for modern, contemporary architecture and even for subtle heritage building renovations, so long as the specifiers approach the project in the right way.

Looks Trumped by Building Performance Factors

A good looking window is nice-to-have. A window that works year after year in a building, providing the right performance characteristics while occupants of the building live and work within it rather than look at it, is essential. Specifiers need to look at a whole list of potentially equally important factors when specifying a window.

One modern aluminium window will use a combination of thermal breaks and insulated profiles to help manage the transfer of air and heat from the inside to the outside. It's an approach that allows a building to be better controlled as to its internal temperatures, which in turn can help reduce the performance requirements of the building and to help support changes to the way energy is delivered in the building.

There's an equally good reason that those looking at commercial buildings, hotels, offices and apartments will also look for the best possible option for longevity. For a building that's open and/or occupied every day of the working week, the windows in the building will receive an immensely higher amount of use in a commercial scheme over a residential one. If the building's windows are to work properly and without maintenance requirements perhaps for the next few decades, then it's the best point to invest in appropriate spec and selection decisions to support that outcome for as long as possible.

Picking Windows Early

The best approach for window spec? Choose them now, rather than later. Architects and project teams should assess:

• Required levels of thermal and acoustic performance
• Required glazing levels, including the overall window area
• Building use type and expected building users
• Required security and safety ratings
• Required ventilation strategy and opening options
• Planning and/or conservation requirements
• Required long-term maintenance regime

Of course, this aspect becomes even more crucial element when existing buildings are re-purposed. Recent schemes in Chester have shown us the benefits of refurbishment / conversion schemes that breathe fresh life into sometimes tired or underused buildings.

Choose A Spec That Works for Successful Schemes, Now & Tomorrow

For B2B clients, the ideal window system is rarely the one that's easiest on the eye. It's the scheme that delivers design aesthetics with what can actually be built on the ground, building performance and the ongoing delights and challenges of ownership.

This is a sweet spot that aluminium windows hit. Their inherent strength, aesthetic flexibility and ability to deliver high thermal performance scores, means there is much to commend their use in new build and refurb / conversion scenarios. We would also point to the other prevailing trends in UK construction, when it comes to focusing more and more on energy performance, future flexibility and strong, flexible design, making thoughtful window specification an important footnote to our new stamp of architectural approval.