Aluminum entrance groups: features and benefits

Today, no one is surprised by the variety of attached structures to the first floors of buildings. Entrance groups with glass vestibule everywhere adorn government offices and commercial premises. A closed porch serves not only as an entrance from the front side of the street, but also as an important architectural element. This is a kind of calling card of the company, which occupies part of the general structure.

In addition to the aesthetic appeal, the entrance groups function as a vestibule. They prevent heat loss, protect entrance doors from precipitation, increase entrance permeability, reduce penetration of dirt, moisture and dust into the room.Entrance groups differ in profile material, and one of the most common today is the aluminum profile.

The design of the input groups includes the following elements:

• the platform consisting of a profile frame and glazing;
• roof, canopy or visor;
• entrance doors;
• the base of the porch, steps, railings, ramps.

The frame, made of aluminum, differs from other structures with ease, resistance to temperature differences, fire safety. Aluminum entrance groups are more favorable at the price, than wooden or PVC analogs. The strength characteristics of aluminum frames allow you to equip volume areas of the facades, as well as produce doors of various configurations.

According to the type of profile, aluminum structures are divided into cold and warm.

• The cold profile has a hollow structure and is used for rooms where heat is not required in the vestibule. Cold profile is cheaper in price, it can often be found in public areas with high traffic.

• A warm profile consists of divided internal chambers, some of which are filled with insulating material, while others are an air gap.This type of frame allows you to warm the room, significantly reduces heat leakage. Used in private homes, social institutions - where the vestibule performs the function of a warm room, equipped with heating systems.

Consider the advantages of aluminum structures.

• Durability and durability. The metal is characterized by increased performance properties, it is much stronger than wood, and PVC is added to the profiles as a reinforcing element.
• Resistance to temperature changes. Aluminum is not subject to deformation, the frame will retain its shape both in heat and in severe frost.
• Low weight. Aluminum weighs much less than other materials, which reduces the time of installation and dismantling of the structure.
• Attractive price. A cold-type entrance group will be much cheaper and will be beneficial for places where there is no point in overpaying for thermal insulation.

• Fireproof. Refractory material will not allow the entire frame to ignite, unlike wood. Plastic, when ignited, melts and releases a toxic gas.
• Environmental friendliness. Aluminum is one of non-toxic materials, and paint coatings of entrance groups comply with safety standards.
• Aesthetic appearance.Designs can have a variety of non-standard forms, the degree of glazing and decoration options. A wide range of powder coating allows you to choose any shade that suits your company's logo or the general background of a building.

Another disadvantage is the higher price of a warm profile. However, in a common heating system of a vestibule, a frame insulated with a thermostat will do a good job, additionally retaining heat. The cold profile due to the high thermal conductivity in the winter season may cause condensation on the inner surface of the frame. However, in a vestibule not intended for heating, this is not significant.

Modern entrance groups can not be imagined without the use of glass.It is transparency that gives the design an aesthetic look, makes it beautiful and presentable. For the porch glazing, high-tech types of material are used: from the most ordinary single-chamber double-glazed windows to the elite types of self-cleaning glass.

According to the properties of strength, glass in aluminum entrance groups is of several varieties.

• Normal (or optivayt). The glass purified from impurity which is not having additional properties. Fragile enough material.
• Hardened. The material undergoes heat treatment at high temperatures. It has an average degree of strength to mechanical damage.
• Laminated. The production technology is the gluing of several sheets of thin glass. As a result, the material acquires increased strength.

• Armored. Steel mesh is included in the fireproof glass sheet. In the event of damage, the mesh retains the fragments in the cells, preventing windows in large spans from collapsing into the pedestrian part of the street.
• Self-cleaning. It is made by the latest technology, as a result of which microscopic cones are formed on the glass surface.Drops of water and dust particles do not settle on the surface, leaving the glass of the facade perfectly clean even on a street with a lively auto-flow.

In addition to fiberglass, for the design of the entrance groups can be used more budget options.

• Polycarbonate. Porous plastic sheet that lets in sunlight. It is used for input groups mainly in summer cottages.
• Acrylic (Plexiglas). The polymeric material which is not possessing high service life and attractive appearance.

From the point of view of the facade, glass for entrance groups can be of different types.

• Transparent. Give lightness to the whole structure, provide maximum penetration of sunlight.
• Matte. Opaque glass to ensure privacy. Used for entrance groups in private properties, banks, hotels.
• Sunscreen The top layer of glass is covered with a mirror film, reflects the sun's rays from the outside, but leaves the possibility of viewing from inside the room.

• Tinted. Glass with a color shade, which is added either at the manufacturing stage, or is achieved by sticking a transparent film of any color.It serves to decorate the facade, and also provides blackout inside the building if the entrance group faces the sunny side.
• Patterned. The combination of clear glass with a matte pattern. The degree of transparency depends on the frequency of drawing the picture. In the workshop for the decor you can order the design of sandblasted or stencilled pattern, art paintings or photo printing.
• Stained glass. Produced by mosaic technology using glass of different colors. Modern decoration technique allows you to create flood, film, facet stained glass.

An integral part of any entrance group are the doors. The installation of doors for each room depends on the intended terrain and the purpose of the building itself.

Aluminum profile allows you to make doors of various configurations that can perform their functions.

• Hinged doors of standard configuration are installed in public areas with a low degree of terrain. The swing version of the door is in demand in social and cultural institutions, polyclinics, pharmacies, and kindergartens.
• Sliding doors of automatic control are used in high-traffic areas. Volume entrance openings are indispensable in large shopping centers. The doors are equipped with sensors that respond to the approach of a person and automatically open. Able to skip a large number of visitors with purchases and shopping carts.

• The doors of the revolving type are shaped like a spinning drum, in which glass doors revolve around an axis fixed in the center of the doorway. This type of door gives the room respectability and allows you to organize the flow of visitors simultaneously at the entrance and exit. Most often used in elite business centers, where the entrance groups are quite bulky.
• The doors of the pendulum type are characterized by sashs that move freely in different directions, which reduces the flow time. However, these doors do not retain heat, as they do not impede the penetration of air.

In the next video you will find the installation of the entrance group and the vestibule to the store using Alumark aluminum profile.