You got in the car and arrived at the aluminium fabricator's showroom. Your purpose is to see colours, get an idea of the designs and ask for a quote.
Most customers take a quick look around, say "yes, that grey looks nice", sit down and wait for the price. This is a huge mistake! The showroom is not just a colour display - it is the fabricator's "CV". The samples you see on display are the best work the workshop can produce. If those have defects, imagine what your windows will look like under time pressure.
The most critical point in an aluminium window is how the vertical and horizontal profiles meet at the 45-degree mitre joints.
Run your finger over the joint. The surface must be perfectly smooth - you should not feel a "step" (one profile protruding) or any gap. A perfect corner means the fabricator has modern, calibrated cutting machines and performs proper corner crimping. This precision ensures that no air or water can penetrate through the joints.
If you can see light through the joint or if the metal scratches you, your future window will let in air and water. Remember: these are the showroom samples - the best the workshop can produce. If these are not perfect, do not expect miracles on your project.
Modern energy-efficient windows, due to thick glazing, are extremely heavy. A large balcony door can weigh over 100 kg.
Open and close the sliding samples. Turn the handles (espagnolettes) on the tilt-and-turn units. Even the heaviest sliding door must glide silently and open/close literally with one finger. The handle must turn "sweetly", without force and without any metallic scraping noise.
If the door in the showroom "sticks", is heavy to slide or the handle creaks, it means poor hardware adjustment or cheap rollers. In your home, things will be even worse - daily use causes wear, it does not improve.
The black EPDM gaskets around the glass and frame are your shield against rain and wind.
Look at how the gaskets fit, especially at the corners. A proper professional uses "vulcanised" corners (pre-made, single-piece rubber corners) or bends the gasket continuously without cutting it, so there are no joints that leak water.
If you see gaskets roughly cut at the corners, leaving gaps or wrinkled, it is a sign of hasty workmanship. Moisture and air will find their way in. This means the fabricator is saving time at the expense of quality.
The showroom showcases not just the aluminium , but also the person you will be working with.
Do they ask about your needs? "What floor do you live on?", "Is your street noisy?" These questions show they care about recommending the right glass (e.g. acoustic for noisy streets) rather than just selling "by the metre" the most expensive profile. A serious professional will also ask if you need Exoikonomo documentation, to prepare CE/DoP correctly.
Is the premises clean and tidy? A professional who does not care for their showroom will rarely respect the cleanliness of your living room during installation. Ask if they can show certificates (CE, DoP) - if they refuse, that is a serious red flag.
Return to category.
Go to categoryReturn to the central guide.
Go to guide
