| Product Types | Aluminium, uPVC, timber, interior removable, exterior fixed, and magnetic storm-window systems are common categories. | Technical drawings, section profiles, glazing specifications, installation instructions, and sample approval. | Select the material according to climate, building structure, corrosion exposure, maintenance requirements, and local fire regulations. |
| Indicative Product Price | For planning only: approximately USD 35–90/m² for basic aluminium systems and USD 45–110/m² for common uPVC systems, before freight, taxes, installation, and project-specific upgrades. | A formal quotation should separate product cost, tooling, packaging, testing, documentation, inland transport, and international freight. | Actual pricing changes with dimensions, profile depth, glass type, hardware, finish, quantity, order terms, and destination. |
| Glass and Glazing Options | Common options include single glazing, insulating glass units, laminated glass, tempered glass, low-emissivity coatings, and safety glazing combinations. | Provide glass build-up, thickness, spacer details, coating position, safety classification, and applicable test reports. | Confirm whether the target market requires impact resistance, safety glazing, thermal performance, or solar-control performance. |
| Thermal Performance | U-factor is normally reported in W/m²·K or Btu/h·ft²·°F; lower U-factor generally indicates better heat-transfer resistance. | Request whole-window performance data rather than relying only on the centre-of-glass value. | Use the calculation or certification method required by the destination code, such as NFRC or EN-based procedures. |
| Solar and Light Performance | Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) ranges from 0 to 1; lower values reduce solar heat gain, while visible transmittance indicates daylight transmission. | Provide calculated or tested SHGC and visible-transmittance data for the complete window assembly where required. | Hot climates may prioritize lower SHGC, while cold or low-light climates may prioritize daylight and passive solar gain. |
| Air Leakage | Air leakage is commonly evaluated using ASTM E283/E283M or equivalent regional methods; lower leakage generally indicates better airtightness. | Testing should use a defined specimen size, pressure difference, test method, and reporting unit. | Check the local code limit and make sure the reported result applies to the complete assembled product. |
| Water Penetration | Water-resistance testing is commonly associated with ASTM E331/E331M or comparable regional standards. | Confirm test pressure, specimen configuration, drainage design, and pass/fail criteria in the report. | Wind-driven rain, coastal exposure, façade height, and installation quality can significantly affect field performance. |
| Structural and Wind Load | Structural testing may use ASTM E330/E330M or an equivalent standard; required design pressure depends on location, building height, exposure, and opening size. | Request design-pressure calculations, anchoring details, mullion information, and test evidence for the intended configuration. | Do not apply a generic wind rating to different sizes or installation conditions without engineering review. |
| Surface Finish and Corrosion | Powder coating, anodizing, and painted finishes are widely used for aluminium; performance depends on pretreatment, film thickness, and exposure. | Specify colour reference, gloss level, coating system, finish tolerance, inspection method, and corrosion-test requirements. | Marine and high-humidity environments require stricter material selection, drainage design, fasteners, and finish controls. |
| Customization and Tooling | Custom profiles, dies, colours, hardware, screens, glazing beads, and mounting systems may require engineering or tooling charges. | Clarify whether drawings, prototypes, samples, and tooling ownership are included in the commercial offer. | Review the expected annual volume before approving a custom profile; low quantities may have a higher unit cost. |
| Minimum Order Quantity | Commonly negotiated quantities may range from small sample orders to several hundred units, depending on the profile, finish, and production method. | Ask for separate sample, trial-order, and production-order terms. | Confirm whether mixed sizes, colours, and glazing specifications can be consolidated within one order. |
| Lead Time | A practical planning allowance is often 3–8 weeks after technical approval and deposit; custom tooling, testing, holidays, and large projects can extend this period. | Use a production schedule covering drawing approval, sample approval, material preparation, fabrication, inspection, and dispatch. | Build in time for destination permits, port congestion, customs clearance, and local installation coordination. |
| Packaging and Container Loading | Windows are commonly protected with corner guards, foam, separators, cartons, pallets, or reinforced crates; packing density depends on size and glass configuration. | Request packing photos, package dimensions, gross weight, net weight, and loading plans before shipment. | Compare freight by both volume and weight, and confirm whether packaging is suitable for long-distance multimodal transport. |
| Trade Terms and Freight | EXW, FOB, CIF, and DAP are commonly discussed under Incoterms® 2020; cost and risk transfer points differ by term. | The quotation should state the named place or port, currency, validity period, freight basis, insurance responsibility, and excluded charges. | Choose the term according to the buyer’s import capability, customs responsibility, insurance needs, and control over freight. |
| Export Documentation | Typical documents include commercial invoice, packing list, transport document, sales contract, certificate of origin where applicable, and product test documents. | Document names and formats should match the destination customs, certification, and project requirements. | Verify import permits, duty rates, product classification, language requirements, and documentary rules before placing the order. |
| Quality Control | Inspection points may include dimensions, diagonal tolerance, glass condition, hardware operation, finish quality, labels, packaging, and quantity. | Use an approved sample, inspection checklist, inspection photos, and corrective-action process before shipment. | Define acceptance tolerances and the remedy for defects before production rather than relying only on a general warranty. |
| Warranty and After-Sales Support | Warranty coverage commonly distinguishes frames, hardware, glass, finish, seals, and installation; exclusions vary by contract. | Obtain written warranty duration, claim procedure, replacement-part policy, and responsibility for installation-related issues. | Confirm availability of replacement hardware, gaskets, rollers, screens, and compatible glazing components in the destination market. |