The right doors and windows can add significant value to real estate. When CW asked architects and developers about their preferred materials for doors and windows, their diverse responses explained why the market is flooded with options, from UPVC and wood to steel, aluminium and glazed units....
The right doors and windows can add significant value to real estate. When CW asked architects and developers about their preferred materials for doors and windows, their diverse responses explained why the market is flooded with options, from UPVC and wood to steel, aluminium and glazed units. Each material has its pros and cons, making it well suited to a particular application. We profile a cross-section of the choices in vogue.Customised UPVC offers durability with style鈥淲here we prioritise durability, we choose UPVC windows,鈥� says Lindsay Bernard Rodrigues, CEO & Co-Founder, The Bennet and Bernard Company. 鈥淯PVC windows are additionally easy to shape and customise, strong and resilient, resistant to rust, warp and swell, eco-friendly and sustainable, and noise-reducing and soundproof. They are ideal for regions with low humidity, where they do not fade or discolour. For instance, we used UPVC for Casa del Leon, where we needed more arches to achieve a Georgian look, and black UPVC for Grosvenor House where we wanted to achieve a Victorian look.鈥濃�淲e opted for a UPVC frame custom-fitted with Georgian bars to create French windows for a 3,500-sq-ft flat in Odyssey II in Powai, Mumbai,鈥� says Nilesh Sawant, Principal Architect, Nilesh Sawant Architect. 鈥淯PVC is easy to maintain and highly resistant to moisture, rot and insect damage, making it ideal for long-term use without the need for frequent painting or staining. Also, UPVC French windows often come with advanced locking mechanisms and hardware, thus enhancing safety.鈥濃�淢ultiple chambers in the design of the UPVC frame trap air, acting as a natural insulator,鈥� he adds. 鈥淭his helps reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, leading to lower energy bills and a more energy-efficient home. The insulation properties of UPVC French windows not only help with temperature control but also create a barrier to outdoor noise, making your home quieter and more peaceful. This feature is particularly beneficial for buildings in or near noisy urban environments. The addition of Georgian bars in a grid-like pattern enhances the aesthetic appeal of the windows, giving them a classic and timeless appearance. Georgian bars can be customised to match the architectural style of a building, making them a popular choice for those looking for a traditional or heritage look.鈥漇lim aluminium profiles amenable to large-sized windows鈥淎luminium window frames are our preferred choice for being low maintenance and amenable to larger sizes,鈥� says Roopak Karwal, Managing Director, Karwal Engineering Company. 鈥淯PVC is undergoing further development. It is still a heavier choice than aluminium, which necessitates slimmer sections allowing greater visibility. Aluminium has its own strength whereas UPVC relies on the strength of the inner mild steel. Also, aluminium windows are lighter and easier to slide, especially when the frames are large and the rollers have worn out. Aluminium frames are also suited to safety glass which is slightly thicker than regular glass.鈥濃�淲e create unique exterior fa莽ades with large windows and balconies, for which we typically use aluminium Slimline door window systems with thermal break technology, which, in turn, enhances the overall energy-efficiency of the building, allowing for reduced energy consumption and improved comfort for residents,鈥� says Zafar Masud Chaudhary, Founder & Principal Architect, Habitat Architects. 鈥淔or instance, we used Slimline for the indoor pool house of a private villa project and a luxury residential project. Slimline window frames have a non-conductive material between the inner and outer parts. This thermal barrier helps minimise heat transfer and improve insulation, thus reducing energy consumption and improving the overall thermal performance of the building.鈥漇teel doors combine aesthetics with safety鈥淲e use Shakti Hormann steel doors with a wooden streaked finish for extra safety with a rich, elegant, natural look,鈥� says G Anand Reddy, Director, INDIS Smart 亚博体育官网首页s. 鈥淲hen we started out in Hyderabad in 2011, we used conventional wooden doors. We switched to this option during our INDIS Viva City project to enhance indoor aesthetics and eliminate the hassle of seasonal expansion. Hormann鈥檚 steel doors are stronger than any conventional wooden doors or frames, and more durable and resistant to physical damage, making them a reliable choice. Additionally, the door鈥檚 groove seal protects the frame from hard bangs, making it a better functional choice. The installation process is smooth and easy.鈥滶ver-natural, ever-appealing wooden doors鈥淲ooden windows and doors are more natural and appealing, and our choice where we want an environment-friendly and sustainable, insulating and energy-efficient solution,鈥� says Lindsay Bernard Rodrigues, CEO & Co-Founder, The Bennet and Bernard Company. 鈥淭hese are also durable, versatile, aesthetic and adaptable. We opted for wooden doors for Casa Del Leon, where these were blended seamlessly with UPVC windows.鈥漇mart glass makes for smart windows and doorsThermochromic glazing is the newest product for windows and doors, according to Rupesh Baid, Principal Architect, AND DESIGN Co. 鈥淭hermochromic glazing uses smart glass technology to enhance performance, increase size and lower cost. We have tried to work with this technology, which can be applied to interior patterns as well as windows, doors and skylights. Smart glass, sometimes referred to as switchable glass, is a kind of glass that can alter how it transmits light in response to an electric current or other stimulus. Since this technology has so many advantages in terms of energy-efficiency, privacy, comfort and aesthetics, it is anticipated to grow in sophistication and use over the next five years.鈥濃�淎s an architect, I feel that vacuum IGUs, triple glazing assemblies, glass coatings and insulation are some optimal glazing solutions, and the value of the project can be determined through them,鈥� adds Baid.鈥淲e incorporate smart glass technology, also known as switchable glass or electrochromic glass, to control the amount of light, glare and heat entering a building, providing greater flexibility and energy-efficiency,鈥� says Zafar Masud Chaudhary, Founder & Principal Architect, Habitat Architects. 鈥淪mart glass can be controlled manually or automatically, depending on the desired level of privacy, daylight or energy management. Integrating smart glass into a residential project helps create a dynamic and adaptive environment.鈥滵ouble-glazed units for Gold-rated buildings鈥淢indspace Business Parks crafts new-age, contemporary, impactful and environmentally responsible workspaces by enhancing efficiency and functionality,鈥� says Raman Sapru, Director, Design & Engineering, Mindspace Business Parks. 鈥淭o achieve this, in Building 9, Gigaplex, Mindspace Airoli West, we implemented a unitised system with double-glazed unit (DGU) performance glass with low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) in our fa莽ades, reducing heat load and enhancing acoustics. This helped achieve an IGBC Gold rating for the project.鈥濃�淎dditionally, we have integrated polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-coated perforated screens at shaft locations to enclose mechanical and electrical services while also focusing on enhancing the aesthetics,鈥� he continues. 鈥淔urther, we have reinforced the ground floors with stone cladding as opposed to including more windows, ensuring durability and resilience to pedestrian movements.鈥滻ncorporate colourful door locksThe design of locks for inner doors has changed considerably, according to Roopak Karwal, Managing Director, Karwal Engineering Company. 鈥淐onsiderable innovation has brought many coloured products, whereas earlier we had only stainless-steel locks.鈥滵riven by growing awareness and the demand for security, the door lock market has seen the introduction of mortise locks, RFID locks, digital keypad locks, and fingerprint, Wifi, and Bluetooth-operated locks. The design of locks for inner doors has also changed considerably, considerable innovation has brought many coloured products whereas earlier we had only stainless steel locks, says Roopak Karwal, Managing Director, Karwal Engineering Company. - Charu Bahri
