Window assembly, a new idea

External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) and two-layer masonry are state of the art and almost always mean: window and door elements are located in the insulating layer.

They cannot be fixed directly to the supporting masonry. For this purpose, energetically optimised assembly frames are offered, which are integrated into the thermal insulating layer.

They are constructed of load‐bearing materials and thus allow a lateral anchoring of the components – as usual. FOPPE is taking a new path with the newly developed aluminium assembly kits.

FOPPE has been offering an extremely variable assembly kit for window and door mounting in the insulating layer for years with the element mounting system EMS + SI.

It is constructed from stable PVC angle profiles and is screwed from the outside to the masonry before the insulation of the outer façade.

Constructively, it extends the shell opening as a load‐bearing element into the insulation layer and thus enables the lateral mounting of structural elements on supporting surfaces, which is common in practice.

However, this full variability in the horizontal relocatability of the component is not always necessary, quite the opposite in fact: in practice, the windows and doors are increasingly placed just in front of the masonry. In this situation, an optimal incidence of light is reached and also everything is in good thermal order.

For this "special case", which is becoming increasingly standard, FOPPE is offering a new assembly system with the aluminium assembly kit, which simplifies assembly and at the same time improves thermal and noise protection.

The newly developed assembly kit consists of a stable, circumferential aluminium profile which is assembled with corner connectors to form a frame and is already screwed onto the inside of the window or door frame at the factory.

In addition, a double adhesive tape is inserted. The mounting frame and construction element thus form a stable composite with a good seal in the component joint.

Since this work step takes place in the factory, a time‐optimised cost‐efficient process is easy to achieve. The assembly kit can be used in all system profiles made of plastic, aluminium or steel, wood frames are also unrestricted.

The component is statically reinforced by the load‐carrying connection, so that cost‐intensive profile reinforcements can be omitted.

With the new assembly kit the construction process changes fundamentally. The frame size is dimensioned in such a way that the aluminium edges extending parallel to the façade grip over the shell opening.

This has advantages in terms of thermal and noise protection as well as mounting security. In contrast to the usual window mounts, in which the joint runs laterally of the frame, this now sits parallel to the masonry.

To seal this, it is very easy to construct by means of a previously installed compression tape. Even in summer temperatures, a secure seal is ensured, since any expanding compression tape which has already expanded is compressed again during assembly.

This prevents one of the most frequent sources of error in common window mounting: the compression tape on the side of the frame often already lies on the masonry during the mounting and becomes twisted or rolled up when the windows are inserted into the shell opening.

This error is difficult to correct, the construction damage is pre‐programmed because of a lack of airtightness and thermal insulation. With the new installation frame, the joint is guided over the corner.

This is beneficial in terms of fluidic properties with respect to the thermal and sound transmission. In order to increase the soundabsorbing effect, the assembly kit can be perfectly sealed from the inside to the masonry with the gun.

An additional seal is achieved by the thermal insulation on the outside of the building. This can be applied close to the window or door frame, since no external anchors or mounting brackets interfere.

The overall design achieves a system certainty that has not been known so far due to the stiffness, the geometry of the joints and the undisturbed outer flanks. Instead of expensive 3D multifunctional tapes, you can use the inexpensive compression tape.

The insertion of the element into the wall opening can take place from the inside and outside.

When assembling indoors, the elements are lifted with a slight oblique position through the shell opening and then applied from the outside. Beneficial for the assembly is the possibility of temporarily resting the windows on the window breast.

Therefore, they are temporarily fixed and subsequently aligned and fixed from the inside. The fixing to the masonry is carried out on the room side with standard fixing lugs. The main effort during installation is thus from the room side, independent of weather conditions.

In contrast to bracket holders, the windows rest along the entire width on the lower aluminium edge. There are no high point loads, so that the elements can also be lowered on non‐bearing masonry.

The plastering of the finished windows and doors is particularly simple, as the aluminium edges on the inside are perfectly suited as a plaster rail, which means that a new dimension is also achieved in the optical design quality.

Various colours are available on request as well as the factory application of a robust protective film. Whether with or without protective film: the frame is also an ideal foundation for the mounting of protective film on the room‐side of the frame, which protects the entire component.

Conclusion:

The high system security is probably the most important argument for the new aluminium mounting frame. In addition, however, costs are also saved.

On the one hand, the shifting of costs from the construction site to the workshop reduces the assembly costs; on the other hand, the system is so securely constructed that trained employees can carry out an appropriate assembly. The possibility of a room‐side, i. e. weather‐independent assembly is another plus of the new system.