Our high-quality aluminium and uPVC profiles are manufactured in New Zealand by Architectural Profiles Limited (APL), who are part of the Profile Group. Our aluminium joinery profiles are extruded and surface finished in Hamilton, and our uPVC Klima® profiles are produced by APL’s Christchurch-based plant. All our APL window system products are designed and tested specifically for New Zealand conditions and comply with relevant local building standards. You can view our product brochures here.

Aluminium profiles

We offer three aluminium profile types:

  • The APL Residential Series – recommended door height of 2.1metres
  • The APL Metro Series – recommended door height of 2.4 metres
  • The APL Architectural Series – recommended door height of 2.7 metres

All our profiles can be upgraded to ThermalHeart+®, APL’s thermally broken aluminium profile system.

What is ThermalHeart+® and what does it do?

APL’s ThermalHEART® profiles utilise a polyamide barrier, which insulates the frame of the window system and separates warm and cold areas (thus reducing heat transfer). In short, the polymide barrier helps keeps the cold out when it’s cooler and reduces solar gain when it’s warmer. APL ThermalHeart+® aluminium windows comply with the Building Code’s new H1 energy efficiency requirements and, when combined with AGP System™ glass, these thermally efficient frames are an important step in creating warmer, drier, healthier homes. A range of surface finishes and colours are available, and we’re also able to offer our clients the option of the Centrafix™ installation method with our Metro Series ThermalHEART® profile.

What is the Centrafix® installation method?

The Centrafix® installation method is an alternative to the standard installation method outlined in the New Zealand Building Code. The window or door is recessed back inside the building wall, minimising the thermal losses which occur with a typical installation. The Centrafix® installation method is BRANZ Appraised and Codemark Certified.

You can find out more about Centrafix® here.

Klima® uPVC profiles

uPVC windows are very common in Europe but have taken longer to catch on here in New Zealand. With the recent changes to Clause H1 of the Building Code, however, they’ve become increasingly popular with Kiwis due to its insulating properties. Klima®, our uPVC range, is based on the European Kömmerling series and has been specifically adapted for New Zealand’s environmental conditions. It’s capable of withstanding New Zealand’s harsh sunlight without discolouring or degrading and can also help with noise reduction. It also looks great as a replacement for wooden joinery in older homes.

Our Glass

Glass is an integral part of any window solution and the benefits of upgrading to a high performing double glazed unit cannot be overstated. For example, in some instances, upgrading your glass will give you more thermal benefit for your money than upgrading your window profile. (Check out our Good, Better, Best product recommendations below.)

We source the majority of our glass from Architectural Glass Products (AGP) – a Cambridge-based glass manufacturer – who, like APL, are part of the Profile Group. Their state-of-the-art factory produces a number of glass products, including The AGP System®, Solux-E®, and Solux Ultra™.

The AGP System®

The AGP System® is a double glazed glass unit, which is made using world class components and industry-leading technology. A warm-edge spacer bonds the unit’s two glass panes, creating an airtight space to ensure the best retention of argon gas. All AGP System® double glazed units are manufactured using a highly automated, precision process to ensure their high quality. The AGP System® is also backed with an extended 12-year warranty – two years longer than the industry standard or legislative requirements.

Solux-E® & Solux Ultra™(Low-E)

Solux-E® and Solux Ultra™ are special low emissivity (Low-E) coatings that are applied to the inside surfaces of the exterior glass panes of double glazed units to improve insulation levels. The coatings are virtually invisible but have a significant effect on glass performance, reflecting heat back into the home (reducing heat loss in winter) and outwards (helping to limit overheating in summer). Confused? You can find out more about how Solux coatings work here.

No matter which glazing option you select for your new joinery – tinted or clear, argon-filled, Low E – all of our APL windows and doors are supplied with safety glass that complies with New Zealand Building Code Glazing Standard NZS 4223.

Selecting Your Joinery

The APL joinery you choose will be depend on various factors, although compliance with Clause H1 of the New Zealand Building Code (which regulates the energy efficiency of buildings) is the starting point for of all our clients. We’re able to combine our aluminium window and door profiles and glass products in various ways and can offer you tailored solutions that will enable you to make the most of your build – and your budget.

Good, Better, Best

$ Good – our most economic option

APL non-thermally broken frame with AGP System® double-glazed units. 

IMPORTANT: This option may not be available to you under the Building Code’s new H1/AS1(Acceptable Solution for Energy Efficiency) regulations. However, if you’re renovating an older home and replacing existing joinery, this is definitely a combination we can offer. Alternatively, if you’re using the Calculation Method to meet the required levels of thermal performance under H1 (which will likely require higher levels of insulation in other areas of your build to compensate for the lower thermal performance of the windows and doors), you may be able to use non-thermally broken frames in some instances. All our Calculator estimate pricing is based on this combination of products.

$$ Better – our best value product

APL ThermalHeart+® with AGP Solux-E® double glazed units

This is our best value combination, giving a huge increase in thermal performance* that far exceeds the percentage increase in price when compared against our most economic option. It meets all relevant H1 requirements. Put simply, this mix of products gives you exceptional bang for your buck.

$$$ Best – our premium solution

APL Metro Series ThermalHEART® Centrafix® with AGP Solux Ultra™double glazed units OR APL Klima® uPVC frames with AGP Solux Ultra™double glazed units

A more generous budget? Want the best of the best? Combining Solux Ultra™ with Metro Series ThermalHEART® frames (installed using the Centrafix installation method), or Solux Ultra™ and uPVC (which is a low conductor of temperature), marries our most thermally efficient profiles with our best performing AGP glass. These are our “turn it to eleven” product partnerships.**

* Comparison figures are based on complete thermal modelling of an average house lot of Metro Series ThermalHEART® products with The AGP System™ double glazing using the WEERS modelling methodology. The benchmark figures were calculated by modelling the same average house lot of products using the equivalent non-thermally improved products glazed with standard double glazing. A “standard aluminium window or door” refers to a non-thermally improved aluminium frame with standard double glazing.

**Centrafix™ comparison figures are based on complete thermal modelling of an average house lot of products installed in 90mm timber framing. The standard installation benchmark was calculated by modelling the same house lot of comparable products using a typical E2/AS1 cavity construction installation on 90mm timber framing.