Our profile materials are either steel or aluminum
Aluminum profiles and steel profiles are two types of metal products that have different properties and applications.
Aluminum profiles are made from aluminum, a soft and lightweight metal that can be easily shaped and extruded. Bauxite is the base ingredient of aluminum which is a mineral mined primarily in tropical areas. The bauxite is ground into a thick paste called alumina, which is then smelted with molten cryolite and shocked with electricity. The ions separate, and the residual liquid cools and becomes aluminum.
Steel profiles are made from steel, an alloy of iron and carbon that is hard, flexible, durable and strong. Steel is a mixture of the elements iron and carbon. Iron is mined, smelted and the impurities are removed. Then carbon is added, and the result is carbon steel. This is the base for other types of steel, such as stainless steel or galvanized steel where a protective zinc coating is applied, to prevent rusting.
Aluminum and steel profiles have different characteristics depending on their intended use.
- Aluminum is lighter,
- more corrosion resistant,
- and easier to form than steel.
- Steel is stronger,
- more stable,
- and more durable than aluminum.
Fire rated steel profiles
Steel, because of its durability, is the preferred material for heavy-duty use cases. The steel profiles with welded corner joints guarantee that incomparable strength that allows the system to be certified as fire rated but also resistant to bullets, resistant to explosions and resistant to burglary. The profiles are available in the versions painted carbon steel, painted galvanized steel and painted or brushed AISI 316L stainless steel.
The system includes fixed glazings (non-openable windows), glazed doors, complex partitions with inserted doors (side lights and top lights) and motorized sliding doors.
Fire
Smoke
Sound
Water
Air
Wind
Exit
Thermal
Finger
Burglar
Bullet
Industrial
Motor
Fire rated aluminum profiles
Aluminum, an elegant material, allows constructions which are light, thus very varied and easy to install. The thermal breaking profiles reinforced with angular steel joints reach excellent thermal transmittance values as well as good strength. An intrinsic feature of aluminum is its resistance to corrosion ensuring a long product life.
The system includes fixed glazings (non-openable windows), glazed doors, complex partitions with inserted doors (side lights and top lights), automatic sliding doors, curtain walls with butt-joined glazing elements and allows the application of finishing profiles.
Fire
Smoke
Sound
Water
Air
Wind
Exit
Thermal
Corrosion
Sliding
Motor
Key differences between steel and aluminum profiles
Cost differences
In general, for fire rated solutions, doors and windows made from aluminum profiles cost a bit more, between 10-15%. Steel is generally cheaper per kilogram/pound than aluminum. The price of both aluminum and steel is continually fluctuating based on supply and demand, tariffs, fuel and energy costs, and the price and availability of iron and bauxite ore. Aluminum profiles also require many supporting inserts, reinforcements and substructures to bear the weight of movable door / window leaves further adding to its cost.
Hybrid solutions, buyer beware
When evaluating different suppliers, it is suggested to verify that the offered aluminum profile is really pure aluminum. In many cases the aluminum solution is a hybrid. A steel profile with an aluminum cover is a composite product which offers none of the advantages available to plain material solutions. Besides the mechanical issues of an added cover in aluminum, which may fall off / get ripped off, the hybrid system offers less corrosion resistance and a larger weight compared to a pure aluminum profile. Nor will it be as performing as a pure steel profile in case of heavy duty use and in terms of durability due to its composite structure.
Steel profiles
The smaller steel profile section allows for minimalistic esthetics. Stainless steel (inox) brings superb corrosion resistance to heavy duty uses.
Pros
Heavy duty
Small profile
Inox
Aluminum profiles
Alu profiles with a thermal break achieve best in class insulation values for external use. Further, aluminum offers great corrosion resistance at a low price.
Pros
Insulated
No rusting
Lightweight
Weight
One of the main differences between aluminum profiles and steel profiles is their weight. Aluminum profiles are much lighter than steel profiles, which makes them more suitable for larger structures which add less weight to the building. Steel profiles are heavier than aluminum profiles, which makes them more stable and durable for large structures that need to withstand high loads. Thus, solutions in aluminum require either larger profile diameters or internal steel reinforcements. When looking for a minimalistic esthetic steel is always the preferred choice.
Corrosion resistance
Another difference between aluminum profiles and steel profiles is their corrosion resistance. Aluminum profiles have a natural layer of oxide that protects them from rusting, even in humid or salty environments. Steel profiles do not have this layer, and they can corrode easily if they are not coated by galvanization or painted with protective materials, or both.
Melting point
Steel has a higher melting point than aluminum. Pure aluminum melts at about 660°C (1200°F). Steel melts at different temperatures depending on its composition, but generally between 1370°C and 1530°C (2500 and 2800°F). Therefore, steel can withstand higher temperatures than aluminum before melting. However, both steel profiles and aluminum profiles can be used for fire rated solutions, because the lower melting point of aluminum is compensated by internal reinforcements made from steel and special insulating materials inserted into the profile.
Malleability
Another difference between aluminum profiles and steel profiles is their manufacturing ease. Aluminum profiles are easier to make because aluminum is a more malleable material than steel. Aluminum can be extruded into various shapes and sizes with less energy and cost. Steel profiles are harder to make because steel is a more rigid material than aluminum. It requires more heat and pressure to form into different shapes and sizes, which increases the processing costs.