PVC and aluminium profile wins top award

A new window profile, which combines an aluminium exterior with internal PVC profiles, is the first profile to win a Daphne environmental award in Austria for 25 years. The AluFusion is a hybrid profile system created by five Austrian window producers: Entholzer in Upper Austria, Opitz in Carinthia, Pfisterer in Salzburg, Rupo in Styria and Uchatzi in Lower Austria. The technology has been patented by German window profile group Profine and Pfisterer. The Profine group has not revealed how the different profile technologies from the Austrian producers are combined, but the patent refers to a plastic base profile and metal profile that are latched together, possibly with snap fasteners. This differs from other aluminium/plastic designs, where the aluminium is applied over the plastic profile using simple clips. Profine says AluFusion’s aluminium profile provides particular design and mechanical possibilities, while the low-cost inner plastic profile insulates against heat and noise. The aluminium profiles meet at right angles in the corner of the window, removing the need for conventional glass strip. The company says the technology is capable of sound insulation of up to 44dB and heat insulation of up to Uf 1.3-1.4 W/m2K. Maximum window size is 1,100mm by 2,300mm, rising to 1,200mm by 2,500mm with steel reinforcements. AluFusion doors can reach 2.5m in height. AluFusion windows can withstand pressures of up to 1,500 kg/m² and the Austrian producers say they are not only the first to be certified in Europe as avalanche-resistant, but can also withstand flooding. Some 30,000 AluFusion windows have been sold so far. Pfisterer managing director Ruldof Pfisterer says that “despite a difficult window market, AluFusion has been exceptionally positive and brought an upswing to all of us”. He added: “I am convinced we can grow further in 2009. We assume growth of around 3%, especially in the area of thermal renovation.”