Hi,
Can you please tell me if you make windows using P&D system and and what would be the disadvantage of usung this system. We have debate going on to what is the better choice.
Thanks
Mark

Author's reply:

Yes we do offer window lines that utilize P&D (pour and debridge) type of thermal systems. Any of our windows that are tagged as ISOLOCK® use P&D thermal breaks. We offer a full range of in/out projecting P&D windows with our  6200T ISOLOCK® Window, 8225TL ISOLOCK® Window, 8225TLXO ISOLOCK® Window, 8225TLF ISOLOCK® Window and  8325TL ISOLOCK® Window lines.  Additionally, our  8400TL ISOLOCK® Window completes the offering for hung/sliding window requirements.

The debate: Although the P&D type of thermal systems offer increased structural performance, their thermal designs are limited due to the depth (dimension) of the thermal break that can be incorporated into a window design.  Other thermal products, like Kawneer’s AA®3350 IOSPORT® Window, are designed with stiff plastic strips or “dog bones” clamped between two individual aluminum extrusions; this method allows much more design flexibility, including an increased overall depth of the thermal break.  One of the basic design premises used with aluminum windows relies on the principle, ”the greater the separation between interior metal pieces and exterior metal pieces, the greater the thermal performance can be”. This puts P&D systems at somewhat of a thermal design disadvantage.   Additionally, thermal products that use a polyamide style thermal break like the new AA3350 Single and Double Hung window can join two separately finished interior and exterior aluminum extrusions together. Since P&D types of systems start with a single extrusion that is separated into two pieces after the finish has been applied, a dual finish for these windows is not an option.