Batibouw: 11 points to check to leave with a ready-to-install aluminum project

At Batibouw, you will discover aluminum systems (frames, doors, verandas) presented by manufacturers like Reynaers. At Vizion Windows, we do not manufacture: we are a Reynaers installer, specializing in technical advice and meticulous installation. The trade show is ideal for understanding the different systems, options, and finishes. However, you still need to know which questions to ask to avoid pitfalls and choose the solution best suited to your project. Here is the essential checklist to compare effectively… before we take the measurements and handle the installation.

Design & Durability

Current advancements in aluminum profiles allow for ultra-slim designs, hidden sashes, and XXL glass walls, all while guaranteeing the frame’s stability and weatherproofing.

However, every solution has its mechanical limits:

1. Slim Profiles & Hidden Sashes

Hidden sashes offer a very sleek look, but they are not suitable for large dimensions. Generally, we recommend a maximum height of 2.30 to 2.50 m and a width of 0.90 to 1.20 m. Beyond these limits, you must switch to a reinforced profile or a visible sash system, which provides better stability for larger formats.

• For exceptionally large openings, a minimalist (but visible) sash ensures better rigidity and superior durability.

2. Sliding Doors & Large Glazing

Aluminum excels at large-scale openings:

• Sliding doors up to 3 meters high.
• Panels weighing up to 300–350 kg, depending on the product range.

Some minimalist systems allow for visible sightlines of only 20 to 30 mm, but these require recessed thresholds and highly precise installation.

3. Bow Windows / Corner Returns

These are very popular on front facades to add depth and light.

Constraints:

• Structural support is required.
• Assembly at specific angles.
• Tempered glazing is necessary.
• Increased attention must be paid to the weatherproofing of junctions.

What an Architect Should Keep in Mind:

The limit is not defined by the profile alone, but by the combination of profile + glazing + installation conditions + exposure.

Sending plans at the start of a project allows us to automatically anticipate what is realistic and what is not.

Installation & Construction Site

7. Thermal Breaks & Support Shims

Thermal breaks and support shims are essential to prevent thermal bridging between the masonry and the window frame. They are used to properly elevate the frame, ensure effective drainage, and protect the sill from moisture. When correctly integrated, they directly improve the building’s energy performance (EPB) as well as the overall durability of the frame.

8. Window Sills

The window sill must always be checked in every detail: width, slope, overhang, and rear upstand. In renovation projects, a poorly handled sill almost systematically leads to leaks; that is why at Vizion Windows, we insist on a precise diagnosis before providing a quote.

9. Peripheral Sealing

Peripheral sealing always relies on three essential levels: an airtight interior side, a central zone dedicated to thermal and acoustic insulation, and a watertight exterior side that remains vapor-permeable.

To achieve this result, various technical solutions are used, such as expanding foam tapes, sealing membranes, controlled PU foams, or specialized silicones.

👉 Ultimately, the quality of the installation accounts for nearly 70% of the actual performance of a window frame.

Realistic Deadlines (Manufacturing vs. Installation Schedule)

10. Manufacturing Lead Times

• Aluminum: 5 to 8 weeks depending on the product range.
• Wood: 6 to 10 weeks (includes manufacturing + finishing time).
• PVC: 4 to 6 weeks.

These times may vary based on the season and order volumes.

11. Installation Timelines

• Generally 1 to 2 days depending on the number of frames.
• For a full house: Often 3 to 5 days.
• For a city-center apartment: Requires a schedule that accounts for access, elevators, and the removal of old furniture or window casings.

👉Many clients return from Batibouw with more questions than certainties. Don’t worry: we visit your site to verify real-world constraints and take exact measurements. For professionals, we also work directly from plans to integrate the window frames right from the design phase.

Back from Batibouw? We’ll make it simple.

Send us your photos, measurements, or your checklist (dimensions, facade constraints, color, glazing, hardware, desired deadlines) to hello@vizionwindows.be

👉 Free quote within 48 hours