DECODING FINE FENESTRATIONS

DOORS AND WINDOWS ARE LIKE THE GATEWAYS TO YOUR DESIGN – THE SILENT HEROES, WHO CONTRIBUTE TO ITS AESTHETICS AND FUNCTIONALITY BY BALANCING SOUND, SECURITY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY.

SUMISHA GILOTRA

When it comes to any premises, it is the doors and windows that attract your attention first. And why not? They are literally a window to the beautiful world awaiting inside. Not surprisingly, much importance has been given to using the right kind of doors and windows in a building. Right from sound, security to sustainability, fenestrations contribute majorly to the impact on both design and environment both. However, just like most industries, the Covid-19 pandemic has had a negative on the door and window industry too. But as they say, when one door closes, another opens. The doors and windows industry used this situation as a wakeup call. A new vista of opportunities opened up as they invested time and money on researching and updating their manufacturing processes, technology, and long-term strategies.

The effort paid offand the industry bounced back stronger. The total doors and windows market in India is estimated to be around 15,000 – 16,000 Cr as per latest research reports of 2020. What’s interesting is that aluminium dominates the fenestration market with 50 per cent share. The metal has emerged as the most sustainable and preferred one thanks to the mostly warm climatic conditions in India.

One of the fastest growing systems suppliers in India, offering unrivalled products and services, is AluK India. Headquartered in Bengaluru, to its advantage, AluK has an established infrastructure of AluK Design Studio - a product display center, AluK Academy - a training center for business partners and customers, and a warehouse to support the local market in India. As façade consultant Lalit Pandey, LM Design, puts it, “Aluk helps its customers compress the entire design process, it becomes satisfactory with the availability of tested products.”

Recently, they have also launched the AluK Home experience center in Gurugram which promises to take homeowners, architects, designers, consultants, and project owners on an experiential journey of discovery of the AluK’s range of European aluminium windows, doors, and façade systems. As Anupam Bansal, ABRD Architects, rightly says, “Aluk gives architects the opportunity to turn their dreams into reality. Not only are their designs aesthetically pleasing but also ensure air tightness, thermal and glare control, focussed entirely on the well-being of occupants in buildings.” In fact, the biggest strength of AluK lies in its technical service. As Varun Sareen of Spaineo Home explains, “The teams at AluK are extremely knowledgeable about their product lines. They participate fully in the building process, from design through installation, and offer helpful suggestions and solutions to glazing challenges. When problems arise, they stand behind their products. We have always found them to be committed to providing the highest level of customer service.” Kapil Suri, FORMUS, agrees, “We recently collaborated with ALUK for two of our prestigious projects at East of Kailash and Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. I must say, AluK fully stood up to our expectations in terms of both quality and customer service.”

What’s more, the business unit of India also serves the market for the SAARC region. The AluK brand is popular in Sri Lanka too and is one of the market leaders amongst international system suppliers. In fact, the brand operations span the globe with 10 business units serving over 50 countries worldwide!

WHY ALUMINIUM?

Picking the right kind of windows and doors for your home is all about creating harmony between design and functionality - as they not only complete the design aesthetic of a house, but also indicate the exceptionality of the owner’s choices. And with regards to both the factors, aluminium meets the requirements.

Aluminium has long been a favorite among builders, architects, and end-users for windows and doors. Aluminium systems are commonly used for the outside of office buildings and other large construction projects. Giving it more leverage, aluminium façades have become more prevalent in modern architecture. This was not always true. People in India were historically hesitant to install aluminium windows and doors throughout their home because they believed it was only available in one type and colour. But not anymore! Fortunately for homeowners, the industry has made significant progress in customising the colour and style of aluminium doors and windows, allowing them to be adapted to match the current décor. Now, there Giving it more leverage, aluminium façades have become more prevalent in modern architecture. This was not always true. People in India were historically hesitant to install aluminium windows and doors throughout their home because they believed it was only available in one type and colour. But not anymore! Fortunately for homeowners, the industry has made significant progress in customising the colour and style of aluminium doors and windows, allowing them to be adapted to match the current décor. Now, there are options galore to choose from.

Urbanisation, the creation of smart cities, and changing lifestyles have increased the use of aluminum-made doors and windows in the Indian real estate sector during the last decade. The worldwide window and door market has a bright future as it continues to expand rapidly. New constructions, renovations, and increased consumer demand for impact-resistant doors and windows are all factors influencing this industry. Due to a scarcity of housing units in the country, market expansion is likely to be consistent. Besides, the government’s ambition to build smart cities and affordable housing is all set to propel the window and door industry forward.