News
Read online at www. proinstaller. co. uk
AUGUST 2026 | 7
News
BRINGING NEW SOLUTIONS TO THE ALUMINIUM SECTOR
As the UK aluminium fenestration sector grows, many in the glazing supply chain continue to focus on this niche sector with new products, systems, designs and components to help installers and homeowners not only comply with building regulations but also to achieve the desired outcome for their home improvements.
The rising popularity of aluminium windows and doors is of little surprise to many in the industry as homeowners enjoy multiple benefits from aluminium – a lightweight but durable material which also has great flexibility when it comes to colours and finishes.
One of the key considerations when manufacturing aluminium windows and doors is ventilation. Since the changes in building regulations in July 2022, compliance with building regulations as set out in Approved Document F( means of ventilation), is now critical for companies replacing windows or doors made of any material including aluminium.
With mechanical ventilation being expensive, inconvenient and time consuming to install, the most practical and affordable way to compliance, for both installers and homeowners, is to install trickle vents to the window and door profiles or frames. Over the last decade, Glazpart’ s Link Vent with its clever design, easy installation and operation combined its availability in a vast colour range, has made it the trickle vent of choice for window and door companies, and can be fitted to any type of window and door including aluminium. In the last 18 months, Glazpart has concentrated on new product solutions specifically for aluminium fenestration.
Dean Bradley, Glazpart Sales Director outlines the timeline of their niche strategy,“ Since 2022, and our market domination with the Link Vent, we continued to explore the trends and different niches within the glazing sector. With more fabricators offering aluminium windows and doors, we collaborated with our customers and aluminium experts. In 2024, we joined the Council for Aluminium in Building( CAB) to gain greater insight and knowledge of aluminium as a building material. In the spring of 2025, we launched our
first aluminium glazing component with the introduction of the Bi-Fold Vent and more recently, we have launched the new AluVent, made specifically for aluminium windows and doors.”
The Bi-Fold Vent
The launch of the innovative Bi-Fold Vent at FIT Show 2025, certainly gathered much interest with many visitors to the Glazpart stand seeing a physical demonstration( using a model bi-fold door) of how the vent performed and looked within a bi-fold door system.
The Bi-Fold Vent’ s shallow( slim) height is designed to work within the low hinge stack heights when the doors in a bi-fold system are in the open position – it has unique low-profile louvred canopy design combined with a low profile vent to allow both the internal vent and louvered grille clip in to easily sit between the open concertinaed door leaves.
The Bi-Fold Vent is designed for compliance to the building regulations with the independently tested equivalent area, it sits in a 16mm rout and in many cases, can be located directly into the door leaf or frame, removing the need for expensive additional“ knock on” or extended profiles. With a 2700 EQA( per vent), a three-panel door meets the requirements for background ventilation.
The tried and tested clip design sits perfectly in the low-profile chassis allowing the split closure plates to direct the air away from occupants.
The internal closure plates of the Bi-Fold Vent clip onto a uniquely designed low prolife chassis which in turn clips within the aluminium profile, so you only have the height of the lids protruding above the profile. The chassis can be supplied in either white or black dependant on the colour of the patented closure plates with their innovative vertical closure plates.
The external section has a new louvered design, to give the minimum amount of protrusion from the face of the profile. The louvred flyscreen sits beneath the reveal giving additional protection from the elements.
Moulded from high quality virgin ASA, Bi-Fold Vents are highly temperature and colour stable when compared to UPVC. Initially available in White, Black and Anthracite Grey in standard sets, bespoke and matching colours can also be manufactured( dependent on demand).
In the 12 months since its launch, the Bi-Fold Vent has already been shortlisted for several industry awards for its technical innovations.
The AluVent
Not resting on their laurels, the Glazpart has recently added to it aluminium trickle vent portfolio with the launch of the AluVent.
In a clear continuation of Glazpart’ s focused product strategy for the aluminium sector, the AluVent is a new range of aluminium trickle ventilators designed and manufactured specifically for aluminium windows and doors. The AluVent is versatile with a sleek design that allows it to be frame or sash mounted, where its low profile sits seamlessly and unobtrusively on the window or door, making it aesthetically pleasing.
Dean Bradley explains,“ The AluVent range is an evolution of Glazpart’ s trickle vent portfolio in response to industry feedback from companies in the aluminium window and door sector – a market that Glazpart is committed to by delivering innovative products. The AluVent is not only practical due to its smart design, but it is also aesthetically pleasing and meets the building regulations.”
The AluVent is fitted with a foam strip on the inside of the vents closure plate which reduces cold spots, helps seal the rout and improves the noise reduction performance in the closed position.
The vent is designed to be fitted on either a 13mm or 10mm rout and is available in three sizes, 2500, 4000 and 5000 EQA. The AluVent’ s performance meets the background ventilation requirements as specified in building regulations. Equivalent Area( EQA) is used instead of free area for the sizing of trickle ventilators as it is a better measure of a ventilator’ s air flow performance.
Among several unique features, the AluVent comes with ingeniously designed profile end caps that clip into the grille, locking it into position and so avoiding separation from the aluminium profiles
( lid or canopy) and allowing for screw fixing to the profile.
With aesthetics in mind, the AluVent is powder coated aluminium with RAL colour matched end caps as well as traditional black and white, which are fitted easily in place without the need for any tools. There is also an unassembled mill finish option so you can powder coat your own specific colour that can be perfectly matched to blend in with the overall design and look of the window or door.
The colours / finishes are also extremely stable and resistant to UV, meaning the vents hold their colour in extreme weather conditions and constant exposure to the elements of weather, without noticeable fading.
As well as many great features and benefits, the AluVent is also environmentally friendly. Made from low carbon aluminium, the AluVent extrusions are produced using partially recycled billet which is certified and fully traceable with up to 25 % recycled aluminium content.
Dean Bradley, Glazpart Sales Director summarises,“ Following the success of the Bi-Fold Vent, the Alu- Vent is a welcome addition to our trickle vent range and once again demonstrates Glazpart’ s continuous commitment to delivering innovative product solutions for the aluminium sector. We will continue to collaborate with our customers and industry experts from the leading trade bodies to grow our product ranges for the benefit of the industry.”
Glazpart has a dedicated web page www. glazpart. com / aluvent listing all of the AluVent’ s features, technical data and installation, operation and maintenance instructions as well as a gallery of images and list of colour options.
The AluVent is now available to find out more and get prices, contact your Glazpart Account Manager( if you are already a Glazpart customer) or call 01295 264533 or email: Sales @ glazpart. co. uk