Hybrid Windows and Doors

Hybrid Windows offer an entirely different proposition for glazing in the home.  Hybrid products combine all of the best features of different materials, such as timber, aluminium and even PVCu.  All these different materials come together with the glass, forming one complete product.

These innovative windows and doors offer excellent aesthetics, high performance, outstanding thermal efficiency, and a big range of products for the home.

Information about Hybrid Windows and Doors.

Windows and doors in hybrid materials typically feature a combination of two materials, each one different on the inside and outside of the window.  For instance, there are hybrid products having coloured aluminium on the outside and wood on the inside.  There are also hybrid having PVCu on the outside with wood on the inside.

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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 single materials too. 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.

Who makes the best hybrid products

Information about who makes some of the best and most luxurious hybrid patio doors using aluminium outside and fine wood inside.

Hybrid doors and windows buying guide

Not sure how to start with hybrid glazing? Some tips and advice to get you started and understand these outstanding products.

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

Products available in hybrid materials.

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-aluminium products, 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.

hybrid windows

Environmentally-Friendly Hybrid Windows and Doors.

Virtually all hybrid glazing is sustainable as we ass environmentally friendly.  The aluminium exterior is 100% recyclable.  The profile in some brands already includes recycled aluminium.  Furthermore, most hybrid systems ensure material suppliers are carefully chosen and even manufacturing processes help produce eco-friendly windows.

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.   Most suppliers making these windows also adopt strict Quality Management Systems as well as Environmental Management and Audit systems.

The choice of wood finishes available 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.

comar hybrid window
The advanced Comar Alu-Timber Hybrid Window.

Hybrid Windows 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:

Centor Europe.

The range of sliding and bifolding doors from Centor are arguably some of the very best hybrid doors on the market.  Available are the 100 Series and 200 series with wood on the inside and aluminium on the outside.  As well as this, Centor offers an innovative screen and shading system, built into the outer frame. 100 series bifolding doors come with European Oak, hidden hardware and single or double door options.  For the 200 series, features include hidden hardware, integrated screens as well as folding and fixed window options.

Comar Alu-Timber.

Comar is already well known for their commercial and residential systems, extensively used in the UK. The Comar Alu-Timber range offers windows, doors and framing in hybrid materials, also integrating with their tried-and-tested aluminium systems. Comar Alu-Timber products have a design life of 40 years.

Idealcombi

Danish made Idealcombi offer an excellent rang 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.

Internorm is one of the best-known brands of innovative glazing solutions.  All Internorm windows are made in Austria and supplied in the UK through a quality dealer network. The HF and HV range of hybrid products from Internorm creates many different styles of windows and doors, with a unique look amongst hybrid windows.

Rationel Windows.

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.

Senior Hybrid Systems.

Based in Doncaster, Senior Architectural is a British company, offering their Hybrid Range of windows and doors.  Senior offers some of the best engineering and design as well as strong environmental credentials. Every Senior Hybrid window uses UK materials, meaning lead times are quicker than other brands.  The company is also unique in the UK offering CWCT hybrid curtain walling and facade glazing for both dwellings and commercial property. Senior Hybrid Products come in Series 1, 2 and 3 versions.

Solarlux Systems

One of the best brands in highly engineered glazing, glazed extensions, advanced bifolding doors and contemporary sliding doors. Solarlux offers the Combiline, SL67 and SL97 range of hybrid bifolding doors. Also available are the SL179 insulated hybrid sliding doors. The SDL Avantgarde from Solarlux also offers contemporary hybrid glass rooms and extensions with wood internally, aluminium externally.

SUNFLEX UK.

The SUNFLEX range of hybrid products includes bifolding doors and moveable walls. The SF55c and SF75c, in particular, is the slimmest hybrid bifolding door in the UK with virtually every innovation of the full aluminium version.  SUNFLEX aluminium and hybrid products are made in Germany and available through a nationwide network of approved dealers in the UK.

Svarre Windows

Marketed as the next generation of glazing maximising the use of wood and glass. Svarre offers a luxurious hybrid window with 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.

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.  Velfac provides a very big range of hybrid products for commercial or residential projects. Most windows offer pine internally, all sourced from North Europe. Velfac works with housebuilders, architects, private clients and the wider construction industry.  

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Andrew DOBSONAndrew DOBSON
16:42 30 Oct 23
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Cathy GreenwoodCathy Greenwood
07:03 11 Sep 23
Update - A second email to nick for help on bifolds resulted in a detailed informative reply even on a Sunday ! This guy is so knowledgable and helpful .I approached Nick for an independent view on sliding doors v bifold and the different brand options . His reply was extremely detailed and prompt and allowed me to navigate this often confusing world in a much more informed way . Thanks so much Nick
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20:24 26 Jul 23
I contacted Nick @ ATS for guidance on what aluminium sliding door systems would be suitable for an opening in an extension that is going to be both wide and tall. He came back really quickly with very detailed and incredibly helpful advice. He is clearly extremely knowledgeable about the systems on the market and their respective features and capabilities. If you’re feeling a bit lost by the overwhelming range of choices out there, I’d definitely recommend contacting him.
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guard Charlieguard Charlie
12:28 14 May 23
I emailed this company just on the off chance they could help me with new magnetic sliders for my patio door. They were not able to supply those but were so very helpful providing me with the name of a company who could. I am so very grateful at the great service. Dare say customers must be very happy. thank you so much.
Benjamin LewisBenjamin Lewis
10:06 04 May 23
Nick is very helpful indeed. Extremely knowledgeable on bifolds which was in relation to my query. Great website as well, some very useful articles. Particularly appreciated the article that lists all the major bifold options in order of their sightlines! Thank you!
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After a lot of research to find doors that would meet our unusual size requirements and feeling increasingly uncertain about the best way to spend our small budget, I stumbled on the ATS website, and I'm so glad I did! I contacted ATS to request advice and Nick promptly replied with a wealth of information, providing us with options and relevant contact details. I only wish I'd found them sooner!
Carol NortonCarol Norton
10:01 17 Mar 23
I've been so confused about how to achieve the look I'm after, and going round in circles with various window/door companies, trying to get away from the huge chunks of plastic currently around my windows. I didn't expect an email to a company found through a Google search to really help - but I was desperate, so I tried. I'm SO glad I did. Finally I have clear explanations from ATS of where I've been going wrong, exactly what I'm looking for, and a list of local companies that might be able to provide it! The response has excelled my expectations and I feel as if I'm finally inching closer to a home with which I'll be happy and comfortable: thank you.
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Chantal AuerbachChantal Auerbach
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Nick from Aluminium Trade Supply was incredibly helpful informative and pleasant to deal with. He responded quickly to emails and was very knowledgeable. Highly recommend being in touch with Nick if you are considering new aluminium windows or doors.
Lee JonesLee Jones
20:21 22 Feb 23
I dropped Nick at Aluminium Trade Supply an email re high security slim sightline bi-folds and their alternatives and he responded that quickly (and so comprehensively) that I felt bad I’d not paid him for his time!Nick Sir your product knowledge is outstanding and you are providing a level of service that goes wayyyy above and beyond expectations. I’ll definitely make sure I mention Aluminium Trade Supply to anyone I encounter looking for a fenestration solution 🙏🏼
G JG J
15:13 13 Feb 23
We are looking to replace some old UPVC patios doors with aluminium ones. The ATS website is a great source of advice in an area where clear information is sorely lacking. Having used the website, I then followed this up with a number of specific questions relating to our search, and Nick came back very quickly with clear, detailed and very useful advice.I have been very impressed with both the website and with Nick's advice. My only regret is that I didn't come across ATS before replacing various windows in 2021 - I'm sure it would have saved me a lot of grief and money! Thanks again Nick.
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Nick was super fast to respond and provided some great recommendations. I would recommend this website to anyone looking to find bifold or sliding aluminium doors.
Stephen HoustonStephen Houston
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Looking for aluminium crittall style internal door and external patio French doors. Noted good reviews and thought would ask for advice. Comprehensive reply with excellent independent advice and lists of fitters who could provide products and installation. Great service.
Inga GeachInga Geach
08:25 21 Dec 22
Nick from Aluminium Trade Supply has been extremely helpful with navigating the jungle that is aluminium glazing for our upcoming extension project. His advice was prompt, detailed and always impartial. Very grateful for your input, thanks Nick!
Amanda BurtonAmanda Burton
10:54 16 Dec 22
Brilliant website and an excellent service. Nick provided not only detailed advice and supplier contacts, but highlighted the considerations of various products so I could make an informed choice. Our Sunvista minimal sliders were fitted this week and I couldn't be happier, stunning. Thanks once again for your advice and recommendations, invaluable!
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Nick has been very helpful on signposting me to a number of partner organisations for steel/aluminium doors.
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