Enjoying winter from the comfort of a weather-tight home is a vastly different experience than being in a home with drafty windows and doors – both in terms of comfort and energy efficiency. If you find yourself dreading the onset of winter and its accompanying loss of light, you might consider installing quality thermally broken windows and doors.

Today’s state-of-the-art, thermally broken aluminum windows and doors can help reduce heat loss and keep your home’s interior more comfortable and electric bills to a minimum, especially in extreme climates. You might be surprised by how much impact the style of your frame has on the transfer of heat through the glass.

The top-hung glass also invites more light into the interior, which can keep everyone inside feeling a little more optimistic until spring arrives. The casement and frame make it simple to operate too, which can cut down on some of the frustration when you’re ready to air out the house.

When you choose a series like this, you get a world-class material that has managed to win over a clientele with some very high standards. Buyers who favor durable aluminum have access to all their favorite styles, all while either preserving or potentially even improving the security of their home.

Breaking it Down: What is the Thermally Broken Aluminum Window Series?

The old rule of thumb was that aluminum windows were to be avoided in extreme climates as the metal conducted heat loss. However, with newer technologies this no longer holds. Homeowners are now able to reap the benefits of aluminum doors and windows – style, durability, design, and sustainability just to name a few.

When winter approaches, temperatures outside begin to drop and the warmth and light from the sun begin to fade. This leads to a much more significant thermal gradient between indoors and outdoors. If you had standard aluminum glass windows doors, you might have noticed that it didn’t take very long for your house to cool off after the change in seasons.

Warm indoor air naturally seeks to escape to join the cooler air outside. In the past, using aluminum frames as a conductor, it was easy for a homeowner to waste money sending all the heated air into the harsh winds or snow. With today’s thermally broken technology, however, heat loss is stopped tracks.

And despite the word ‘broken’ being a part of the description, you can rest assured that this is not about your home security. The glass, frame, and casement are strong enough to keep out common threats (and even the uncommon ones too).

As aluminum door and window manufacturers sought to achieve higher levels of efficiency, engineers began to approach the problem from multiple angles to develop the durable thermally broken aluminum window frame.

Though different manufacturers use different approaches, Panda style is to employ the superior polyamide iso-bar, which has low thermal conductivity, between the exterior and interior aluminum window frames. This allows the appearance of modern, minimalist aluminum windows with large expanses of glass that deliver amazing views while enjoying superior thermal protection and improved comfort.

How Thermally Broken Windows and Patio Doors Prevent More Than Heat Loss

Because the aluminum frame is no longer a conductor, thermally broken windows and doors can even help reduce noise pollution, condensation, and frost as well. The process has proven to be a formula that withstands the test of time. You can see the aluminum windows doors on old and new construction homes alike.

What’s more, Panda engineers took things a step further and added a thermally broken stile to the bottom of our sliding or folding exterior patio doors for an additional layer of energy efficiency. This ensures your home will be much more comfortable when extreme weather changes strike and temperatures shift outside.

So, if you’re worried about spending extra money this winter just to stay cozy, the durable product line from Panda offers customers long-term savings in addition to protecting the planet. Choose from a variety of styles, adjusting the casement and frame to match both the look and the operation features you want. For instance, a top-hung window might be easier to open and close, allowing for more use during all seasons.

Save on Heating and Cooling Costs with Energy Efficient Thermally Broken Aluminum Windows

In many residential and commercial properties, it isn’t unusual to find faulty or aging doors and windows that allow heat to escape the structure. As these drafty spots continue to leak heat, the furnace must run more often to compensate – increasing utility bills. Your patio door can quickly become a headache. 

In the summertime, the opposite happens. As light pours in at all hours of the day and temperatures rise, the extreme heat tries to invade the cool interior of your home. Your local HVAC repairman can’t keep up with the influx in maintenance and service requests.

Once again, an old-style drafty window or door during the summer would cause the cooling systems to run more often and for longer periods than it would if your home was thermally isolated or broken from the exterior temperatures. It also means that you have to choose between sleeping in peace or turning your systems up as high as they’ll go.

Why Durable Aluminum Is a Quality Material for Your Window and Door Frames 

Whether for extremely high or low temperatures, thermally broken aluminum windows and doors are one of the superior solutions available today. In regions that see extreme weather changes throughout the year, thermally broken windows and doors automatically support and adapt to changing temperatures.

A quality product line can have a big effect on how you experience each new season. For most of us, it’s jarring to jump 30° or plummet from the freezing point to subzero. The operation style and material you choose can make the transition a little more palatable.

At Panda, we’re dedicated to developing different styles of window, door, and glass technology that help our customers enjoy their homes to the fullest. Rather than having to suffer through another hot or cold season with a poor performance window, we’ve developed quality solutions for home and business owners. Our impressive award-winning series allows you to improve your structure’s energy efficiency and comfort.

Choosing the Right Window or Door System for Your Climate

Lift & Slide Doors

The heavy-duty Panda Lift & Slide glass door system is more than capable of withstanding heavy winds and rain and offers extra-low U-value thermally-broken options for greater performance and weather protection. The Lift & Slide style from Panda comes in three thermally broken options: the All Aluminum Thermally Broken TS.19, Aluminum/Wood Clad Thermally Broken TS.13 with added wood insulation, and the Aluminum/Wood Clad Thermally Broken Slim Profile TS.87 offers our sleekest Lift & Slide profiles for patio doors with enhanced views.

Multi-Slide Glass Doors

Also known as sliding doors or telescoping patio doors, Multi- Slide Door Systems are ideal for opening up large expanses. The system is composed of a virtually unlimited number of panels that slide and stack to one or both sides of an opening or are concealed entirely within a pocket. The horizontal movement is effortless for anyone operating this series, even when panels are custom built to be thick enough to keep out the cold. For a thermally broken option, consider a custom All Aluminum Thermally Broken Slim Profile TS.83.

Folding Doors

Also known as bi-fold doors and similar in design to accordion doors, Panda folding doors feature a top-hung design and allow owners to maximize their homes’ openings without the need for an extra pocket for the panels to slide into. Panda Folding Doors come in four thermally broken styles: All Aluminum Thermally Broken Impact ITS.61 and All Aluminum Thermally Broken UITS.61 with tempered, reinforced aluminum for larger panels under heavier wind loads, All Aluminum Thermally Broken TS.60, and Aluminum / Wood Clad Thermally Broken TS.75 with wood cladding for superior insulation and weather performance.

French Doors

French doors, also known as swing doors, are a popular choice for entryways and patio applications. The horizontal lines across the home and the sweeping motion of opening and close the doors can make for an impressive entrance and exit. High-capacity in terms of weight and endurance and known for their security, the Panda French Doors series come in three thermally broken options: All Aluminum Thermally Broken (40 mm) TS.64, All Aluminum Thermally Broken (66 mm) TS.68, Aluminum / Wood Clad Thermally Broken TS.69

Operable Windows

A Panda glass window has similar profiles to our doors, to allow for a consistent look throughout your home. The casement also ensures that the operation of the windows is similar as well. Our operable window frames are so flexible that they can be customized and adapted in countless different configurations to open up your space. For a thermally broken option, consider the All Aluminum Thermally Broken TS.67 series.

Custom Window and Door Products Crafted Just for You 

Panda window and patio door systems are created using high-quality materials that adapt to rapid and extreme changes in weather patterns while still delivering superior performance and enjoyment.

They’re also designed to let in all the light from outside, which can be particularly helpful for your mood when the days shorten. Even if the clouds obscure the stars and all you have are the holiday lights from your exterior, it can be uplifting to see something other than the darkness outside. The right window glass series from Panda can perfectly frame the unique view that only your home has.

We’re thinking of more than just light though when it comes to this series. Our goal is for our clients to feel no change in temperature in any room in which our windows or doors are installed. By having a thermally broken aluminum window and door system, you’ll be able to enjoy your home as outside weather changes go unnoticed.

At Panda, we understand the importance of having the right features in windows and doors that not only meet your needs but exceed your expectations at every turn. It’s why our thermally broken glass window and door series offers superior security and durability.

We work with customers from all around the country, and we’ve adapted our aluminum product lines based on record-breaking temperatures — on both sides of the spectrum.

If you’re ready to discuss your project or get a custom quote, please reach out to find your Regional Account Manager or Live Chat with a Panda Professional today.