Custom aluminium windows bridge the gap between catalogue product and architectural ambition. Some projects fit the standard catalogue. Many do not. For instance, heritage renovations work to existing openings that pre-date modern sizing conventions. Furthermore, architecturally designed homes feature raked rooflines, curved facades and oversized openings. Notably, no off-the-shelf product line serves these. Additionally, commercial fitouts in irregular tenancies, sloped sites and feature shopfronts demand glazing that responds to the building.
At City Aluminium, custom aluminium windows sit as part of our standard offering — not as an exception. Across nearly forty years of Melbourne manufacturing, we have fabricated curved heads for heritage cottages. Furthermore, we have produced raked-top picture windows, oversized sliders for showrooms, and mixed-profile assemblies. Notably, the latter combine fixed, awning and frameless sections in a single opening.
Custom Aluminium Windows: Mixed Profile Configurations
Many openings have multiple jobs to do. For example, a kitchen window above a bench may need to ventilate, frame the outlook, and present cleanly from both sides. Likewise, a living room wall facing a courtyard may need a fixed picture section for the view. Additionally, it may need a sliding section for access and an awning above for cross-ventilation. However, trying to serve all three with a single window type forces compromise.
Mixed profile configurations solve this without compromise. Specifically, fixed picture panels combine with awning windows for ventilation. Furthermore, sliding sections sit alongside fixed glazing for access without disturbing the view. Additionally, frameless picture windows pair with operable casement sections. Notably, the Architectural Range supports all of these combinations. Specifically, this includes the Ultra Low-Profile Series and Designer Door Range. Consequently, profile families and finishes coordinate so the assembly reads as one designed element.
Custom Aluminium Windows in Non-Standard Shapes
Rectangular windows are easy. By contrast, almost everything else is custom. For instance, raked-top windows that follow a sloping ceiling line are common in contemporary architectural homes. Notably, they require precise mitring at non-standard angles and bespoke seal detailing. Furthermore, trapezoidal and triangular sections appear in pitched gables and feature walls. Additionally, octagonal and hexagonal windows feature in heritage and Federation-style restorations. Likewise, pentagon and parallelogram shapes arise from contemporary geometries.
We handle all of these in-house. Specifically, the same machinery, alloy stock and process precision that produces standard rectangular windows produces these geometries. However, the difference sits in cutting tolerances, corner construction, and finishing detail. Generally, custom shapes take longer to fabricate than standard configurations. However, local manufacture means the timeline stays in our facility. Consequently, it does not depend on offshore shipping.
The Australian Glass and Window Association (AGWA) maintains the AS 2047 and AS 1288 technical standards that govern custom aluminium windows of all shapes, configurations and structural requirements.
Curved Aluminium Glazing
Curved glazing forms the most demanding category in custom fabrication. Specifically, the aluminium frame must roll or press to a precise radius. Notably, this must happen without distorting the section profile. Furthermore, the glazing — single or double — must curve to match. Additionally, seals, gaskets and hardware all need bespoke detailing. After all, off-the-shelf components suit straight runs.
Applications run varied. For instance, curved-head windows soften the architecture of Federation, Victorian and Edwardian homes during restoration. Furthermore, bay windows curving outward from a facade form an enduring feature of period architecture. Notably, they suit contemporary reinterpretation well. Additionally, curved corner windows wrap a building corner in glass. As a result, they dissolve the boundary between two facades. Equally, curved feature shopfronts and partition systems appear in retail, hospitality and corporate fitouts.
These projects fall outside catalogue work. Specifically, they sit at the intersection of metalwork, glazing and architectural detailing. Furthermore, they reward a manufacturer who can iterate prototypes locally. Notably, the City Aluminium Architectural Range supports curved configurations on consultation. Specifically, we quote and detail each project individually. The variables include radius, glazing specification, frame size and finishing requirements.
Oversized Custom Configurations
Beyond shape, scale forms the other custom dimension. Specifically, oversized sliding doors up to 3 metres tall sit as part of the standard offering. For instance, they suit caravan showrooms, double-height retail, hospitality venues and bespoke residential projects. Furthermore, larger commercial spans sit within the Commercial Range capability. Notably, this includes oversized fixed picture windows for premium homes and floor-to-ceiling architectural assemblies. Indeed, aluminium’s strength-to-weight ratio proves decisive here. Specifically, glass spans that would require structurally compromised uPVC or expensive steel framing remain native applications for high-grade aluminium alloy.
Why City Aluminium for Custom Aluminium Windows
- Forty years of Melbourne fabrication — operating since 1986. Furthermore, we bring the accumulated experience that custom curved, mixed-profile and oversized work demands.
- Local in-house manufacture — we manufacture every custom configuration in our own Melbourne facility. Consequently, iterations and prototypes happen locally.
- Architectural and Commercial range depth — custom capability extends across both ranges. Specifically, from premium residential bespoke work to commercial-scale custom shopfronts and partitions.
- Twelve core product types plus bespoke — every common window and door type. Additionally, custom configurations and shapes.
- Full finishes library — seven profile families. Furthermore, the complete Dulux Duralloy, Duratec, Alphatec, Pearl and Kinetic powder-coat ranges, plus Colorbond. Notably, all available on custom geometries.
- End-to-end One Stop service — specification consultation, manufacture, delivery, installation, retrofit and replacement. Additionally, supply-only sits available for builders managing their own install.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Specifically, we quote and detail curved configurations individually. For instance, curved heads, bay windows, curved corner windows and curved feature shopfronts. Furthermore, we specify each project on consultation. The variables include radius, glazing requirements, frame size and finishing. Notably, local in-house manufacture keeps iterations and prototyping in our Melbourne facility.
Lead times vary with complexity. Generally, we manufacture mixed-profile rectangular configurations in a few weeks. However, custom shapes take longer. For instance, raked, trapezoidal and hexagonal shapes need additional fabrication time. Furthermore, curved geometries take longer still. Notably, local Melbourne manufacture keeps the timeline with us rather than offshore shipping.
Generally, yes. Specifically, they require coordinated profile selection, precise corner detailing and matched finishing. However, the premium varies with the configuration, glazing and finishes. Notably, the City Aluminium estimator captures the variables. Furthermore, complex custom shapes and curved work usually quote individually after consultation.
Yes. Specifically, the Architectural Range supports thermal break configurations and double glazing across custom shapes. Furthermore, curved geometries sit available on consultation. Notably, this matters more than ever. After all, 7-star NatHERS compliance applies equally to non-standard openings.
Yes. Specifically, heritage restoration forms a regular part of our custom work. For example, curved-head windows, traditional double-hung profiles, period-appropriate sightlines and finishes. Furthermore, local manufacture lets us match existing openings precisely. Notably, this proves particularly useful when replacing or restoring original windows.
Sliding doors up to 3 metres tall sit as part of the standard offering. Furthermore, larger custom spans sit available within the Commercial Range. However, structural requirements, glass weight, hardware capacity and transport logistics set the limits. Notably, the framing capability itself rarely forms the limiting factor.
