When you research new aluminum frames, most of you focus on the extrusion series (Europa, Aloumil, Etem, etc.). Whether the frames are thermally broken, the colors, and the glazing. This is perfectly natural, as you cannot be expected to know everything about aluminum frames. In this article, we will try to shed light on something that seems like a detail but is a key parameter for the quality of frames. We will examine the advantages of foam gaskets over brushes.
Where Foam Gaskets Are Used
Foam gaskets are used in opening aluminum frames and in lift-and-slide frames (simple sliding frames use brushes). Foam gaskets are placed on the sashes and the frame to press against each other and contribute to the water-tightness and thermal insulation of the frames.
Advantages of Foam Gaskets
Fenestral uses foam gaskets (and not brushes or foam brushes) in all constructions. To view the gasket categories, click here. Foam seals are always used in frame tests in certification laboratories (better thermal insulation, better sound insulation, and better waterproofing) and can be easily replaced even after installation.
Brushes are only used in shutters, which do not contribute to the energy efficiency of frames (they do not affect thermal insulation, etc.). They cannot be replaced because, unlike foam gaskets which snap into place, brushes slide into the guide. This results in the inability to replace them due to wear and tear over time.
In conclusion, foam seals in aluminum frames outperform brushes. This is because they offer better thermal insulation, sound insulation, and water-tightness, and can be replaced due to wear and tear over time. It may sound like a detail to many, but it certainly is not. Because the cost of foam seals is higher than brushes, many manufacturers use them.
Certified aluminum manufacturers do not use brushes on sashes
To ensure that the aluminum frames you install in your home will have all certified components, choose only certified aluminum frame manufacturers. See all of Fenestral’s energy-efficient aluminum frames.
