3 Things To Consider When Choosing Doors And Windows For Your Project

27th November 2025

Choosing the right doors and windows is one of the most important decisions you’ll make on any residential, commercial or trade project.

The frames you select affect far more than appearance; they influence:

• Energy efficiency
• Long-term maintenance
• Security Natural light flow
• Property value

With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to know what will genuinely support the design and performance you’re aiming for.

At Alimax, we’re the top choice in Dorset and Hampshire for quality aluminium windows and doors. We serve trade, commercial, and residential clients. Because we fabricate every product at our modern facility in Hampshire, we understand what it takes to choose frames that work with your layout, your budget and the long-term needs of your build.

Below, we’ll look at three critical factors, with examples and use cases. Plus, we’ll explain why aluminium is still a popular choice in the South.

1) Match Your Doors & Windows to the Property’s Style

When selecting doors and windows, the property's style and period should always guide your decision. Frames that match the building’s style give a better look and help keep or boost the property’s value.

Blending Traditional Properties with Modern Aluminium Performance

A sleek, ultra-modern frame might suit a new-build home or contemporary extension, but is unlikely to work with the proportions of a Georgian townhouse or a rural cottage. Historically, older properties had limited options, but that has changed significantly in recent years.

Aluminium frames were once considered “too modern”, but now come in a wide range of heritage-inspired profiles. These include slimline sash windows, traditional putty-line detailing, and heritage-style sightlines. This helps installers and homeowners keep the charm of a period property while enjoying modern performance.

Colour, Finish & Customisation for a Cohesive Project Look

Aluminium offers one of the broadest colour ranges on the market. With over 150+ RAL colours available, dual-colour options, and textured finishes, it’s easy to match frames to stonework, cladding, rendering or existing timber features.

This is particularly useful for:

• Conservation areas where colour accuracy matters
• Commercial buildings aiming for brand-aligned finishes
• Homeowners wanting a consistent aesthetic across doors, windows and rooflights

In conservation areas, local planning authorities often require materials and finishes that preserve the area's special architectural character [1].

When MAXi Designer Doors Are the Ideal Choice

Our MAXi designer front and back doors are an excellent choice for any project requiring strong aesthetics paired with high performance. The range features traditional, cottage, heritage, and modern designs. All are made on-site for a perfect fit with your chosen windows.

This mix of classic styling and durable aluminium construction makes them ideal for both restoration projects and contemporary residential builds across Dorset, Hampshire and the South.

2) Make the Most of Natural Light in Every Room

The amount of natural light in a room has a major impact on how inviting and energy-efficient the space feels. Elevation, orientation, and roofline all influence available light, so the right door or window configuration can make a noticeable difference.

Why Aluminium Frames Work Brilliantly in Low-Light Spaces

Aluminium is incredibly strong relative to its weight. This strength allows for slimmer frames that support larger panes of glass, bringing more daylight into darker rooms.

This can make a significant difference in:

• North-facing living rooms
• Kitchens with limited window openings
• Commercial units with deep floor plans
• Extensions where the original house blocks natural light

Slimmer sightlines = more glass = enhanced natural light.

Balancing Light, Warmth & Energy Efficiency

Modern aluminium frames now offer excellent thermal efficiency thanks to advanced polyamide thermal breaks and high-performance glazing options.

This means you don’t have to choose between:

• Letting in more light
• Retaining heat
• Reducing energy bills

For projects where Building Regulations [2] require enhanced thermal performance, aluminium provides a strong balance between aesthetics and efficiency. Government advice highlights that energy-efficient windows and doors help reduce heat loss [3]. They can also improve a property's overall energy rating.

Choosing Doors That Maximise Light & Garden Views

Aluminium patio doors, French doors and bi-folds are ideal for brightening spaces that lead to gardens, terraces or courtyards.

Compared with uPVC options, aluminium offers:

• Thinner profiles
• More glass surface area
• Minimal frame interruption
• Larger maximum sash sizes

For Southampton, Bournemouth, Dorset and Hampshire homes looking to open up living spaces, aluminium bi-folds or sliding doors can transform the natural flow of light throughout the ground floor.

3) Designing for Unusual Layouts & Tricky Openings

Not every project follows a standard footprint. Renovations, extensions, commercial buildings, retail units, and older properties often feature irregular shapes or unique challenges.

Why Aluminium Is Ideal for Complex or Bespoke Layouts

Because we manufacture every product at our modern Hampshire facility, we’re not limited by standard sizes or rigid product lines.

Aluminium is particularly adaptable for:

• Wide openings
• Narrow or tall apertures
• Angled walls
• Unusual room shapes
• Commercial shopfronts requiring customised configurations

Our team often collaborates with architects, tradespeople, and developers across the South. We ensure every frame meets the project’s structural and visual requirements.

Flexible Opening Configurations to Suit Any Space

Aluminium bi-fold doors offer some of the most versatile design options.

Depending on the room layout, you can choose bi-folds that:

• Stack to the left Stack to the right
• Open from the centre
• Split and fold in multiple directions
• Create a full-width opening for indoor–outdoor living

These setups help you make the most of usable space. They are great for kitchens, open-plan extensions, commercial units, and tight corners.

Custom Manufacturing for Trade, Commercial & Large-Scale Projects

Trade professionals and commercial specifiers often require precise dimensions or non-standard shapes.

Because we control the whole fabrication process on-site, we can:

• Produce bespoke sizes
• Colour-match across large developments
• Provide consistent sightlines across dozens of units
• Support fast turnaround requirements
• Advise on installation challenges early in the process

This makes aluminium a great choice for home upgrades and big commercial projects in Dorset, Hampshire, and the wider South.

Bringing It All Together

Choosing the right doors and windows shapes how a property looks, feels and performs. Aluminium doors and windows are ideal for homes, businesses, and developments, offering strength, slim sightlines, and finishes that match any style. This helps to maximise light throughout Dorset, Hampshire, and the South.

At Alimax, we are a leading aluminium windows and doors manufacturer in the South. From our modern Hampshire facility, we supply frames for trade, commercial, and residential projects across the South. This includes aluminium windows in Dorset, aluminium doors in Hampshire, and bespoke trade aluminium frames.

Call 01425 205465 or arrange a consultation to choose aluminium doors and windows for your next project.

External Sources

1. GOV “local planning authorities”
2. Planning Portal “Building Regulation”
3. GOV “government advice”