Hybrid windows and doors

Hybrid windows and doors offer an entirely different proposition for glazing in the home. Hybrid products combine the best features and properties of materials, such as timber, aluminium, and even PVCu. These materials, combined with the glass, form one complete product.

Innovative hybrid windows and doors not only offer excellent aesthetics but also deliver high performance and outstanding thermal efficiency, providing both visual appeal and practical benefits.

What are hybrid windows and doors?

Windows and doors in hybrid materials typically feature a combination of two materials, a different on the inside and outside of the window.  

For instance, there are hybrid windows and patio doors with coloured aluminium on the outside and wood on the inside; others have PVCu on the outside and wood on the inside. Hybrid front doors are generally aluminium on the outside with laminate wood or composite material on the inside.

Importantly, the prominent feature of hybrid materials is the excellent thermal performance with some of the lowest U-Values and best window energy ratings. Sound insulation is also better than with using a single material. 

Another key feature of hybrid materials is the combined strength. As a result, aluminium and timber hybrids offer bigger windows sizes and larger opening elements, compared to single materials.  With hybrid windows and doors, you also get more expansive glazing.

Finally, hybrid window frames offer a wider variety of aesthetics, such as flush-sitting vents, a fully glazed outside with no visible frame and unique window details.  Therefore, compared to single materials, hybrid windows and doors offers far more choice in how windows and doors look both inside and outside.

What are type of hybrid windows and door products available?

Virtually every type of window and door is available with hybrid materials including:

• Windows as casement, pivoting or tilt and turn and sliding sashes
• Shaped, apex and gable windows
• Bifolding doors
• Tilt and Slide and Lift and Slide patio sliding doors
• Single doors and French doors.
• Front doors
• Facade glazing and floor-to-ceiling windows
• Rooflights and roof windows

For wood and aluminium hybrid products, known as Alu-clad or Alu-Timber, aluminium on the outside protects the timber inside from external weather and moisture. The wood on the inside is therefore always protected and is maintenance free.

You also get all the advantages of aluminium with the full range of over 200 RAL colour palette.  Inside, the wood comes either as natural, painted or stained. Many hybrid brands also offer a choice of aluminium capping on the outside such as contemporary, softline or shaped.

The engineering on hybrid windows allows excellent security with multi-point locking systems, corner locking and a big choice of window and door furniture.

Environmentally-friendly hybrid windows and doors

Virtually all hybrid glazing is sustainable and environmentally friendly. The aluminium exterior is 100% recyclable and the profiles in some brands already include recycled aluminium.

Furthermore, most hybrid systems manufacturers ensure material suppliers are carefully chosen and that the manufacturing processes help produce environmentally friendly windows. Most also adopt strict Quality Management Systems as well as Environmental Management and Audit systems.

The wood used in hybrid windows is from sustainable sources, PEFC certified (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) or certified to The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) standard.  The choice of wood finishes inside is extensive. Engineered timber, oak, pine, spruce, larch, redwood and Eucalyptus are just some of the fine woods used.

As a result of all these environmentally friendly materials and methods, hybrid windows enjoy an extended lifespan compared to single materials.

Hybrid windows and doors brands and systems

There are many providers of hybrid products, either from international manufacturers or made in the UK. Some of the best known hybrid systems include:

Brand & Product Type
Centor Bifolding, French & single doors, fixed windows	Centor have arguably some of the very best hybrid doors on the market.  Available are the 100 Series and 200 series with European oak wood on the inside and aluminium on the outside featuring hidden hardware.  In addition, they offer an innovative screen and shading system, built into the outer frame.
Comar Doors and windows	Comar is already well known for their commercial and residential systems, extensively used in the UK. Their Alu-Timber range integrates with their tried-and-tested aluminium systems and have a design life of 40 years.
Idealcombi Windows, single, double & sliding doors	Danish made Idealcombi offer an excellent range of traditional and contemporary windows, doors and glazing. The products feature the latest innovations in thermal technology and the quality of Idealcombi products is excellent as are the materials, components and technology used.
Internorm Windows, lift and slide doors	Internorm are a very well-known popular brand distributed via a countrywide network of re-sellers and installers offering premium aluminium-timber window and door products.
Rationel Windows, entrance doors, lift & slide door	Two core products in the Rationel range offer timber windows and doors with external aluminium cappings and cladding. Rationel FORMAPLUS® and Rationel AURAPLUS® provide both contemporary and traditional styles for residential property.  Originating in Denmark, Rationel makes windows in the UK, Denmark, Poland and Ireland.
Solarlux Bifolding & sliding doors and glazed extensions	One of the best brands in highly engineered glazed extensions, advanced bifolding doors and sliding doors. Solarlux offers the Combiline hybrid bifolding doors and the SL179 sliding door. The SDL Avantgarde wintergarden from Solarlux also offers contemporary stunning hybrid glass room extension with wood internally, aluminium externally.
Vrogum Windows	Scandinavian Vrogum specilaise in wooden windows and doors. Their Svarre luxurious hybrid window has advanced weather, security and design features. The key design feature of these windows if a fully glass exterior where the glass exceeds the frame for a consistent glass line on the exterior and a frameless appearance.
Velfac Windows and doors	A subsidiary of VKR Holding, Velfac is a global business trading for over 60 years. One of the biggest Scandinavian window manufacturers in the world, making over 10000 hybrid units every week for commercial or residential projects. Most windows offer pine internally, all sourced from North Europe.

Prices and specifications vary between brands and from product to product. If you would like help and advice on choosing the right product and installation company for your project, please contact us.