Glossary

The second phase of aluminium profile production, ageing is a process that heats the newly formed bars at 185 ºC for 5 hours. This causes the malleable metal to harden into the durable material we all know, giving it its mechanical properties.

Potassium aluminium sulphate, which use to be used as a dye fixative.

Aluminium oxide, extracted from rocks and mostly from bauxite. This is used in the smelting process to create aluminium billets and ingots.

A combination of pure aluminium with other metals, such as copper, magnesium, and manganese give it the perfect level of hardness while maintaining its lightweight properties, making it ideal for architectural and standard profiles. At MUSKITA we use alloys 6060, 6063 and 6005. 

A controlled form of electrochemically oxidizing the surface of aluminium. The anodized surface is harder and creates a protective shell, preventing any further oxidization of the aluminium. Anodization finishes come in a wide range colours. MUSKITA offers 15 unique finishes, including our exclusive Anox colours. 

The extruded aluminium profile in the standard length they are processed and sold. At MUSKITA the standard length is 6,50 meters, however longer and shorter profiles may be produced upon request.

The readily available red rock that is the primary source of alumina, and thus aluminium. 

The chemical process which refines bauxite into alumina. Aluminium is then extracted from alumina through smelting. 

Large cast aluminium bars that are used to extrude the final aluminium profiles.

A system that covers the entire side of a structure such as a building façade, allowing architects the flexibility to create innovative and versatile solutions with extended views and minimal sight disruptions. 

Options include Structural Curtain Walls where only glass is visible and Semi Structural Curtain Walls where aluminum profiles surround each glass pane. Of course, hinged windows & doors as well as sliding systems can be incorporated onto the curtain wall system. MUSKITA curtain walls are some of the only systems that are "severe weather rated" and certified with Dynamic Tests achieving perfect performance in thermal insulation, sound insulation, air and water resistance.

The steel mould from which the heated billets passes through in the extrusion process, creating the profiles.

Two or more glass windowpanes are separated by spacers, creating a vacuum or gas filled cavity. These allow for better insulation.

The process of converting the billets into profile bars. The billet is placed in the extrusion press where it is heated to between 430 ºC and 480 ºC, making it malleable but not melting it. It is then pushed with thousands of tonnes of force, depending on the press used, through the steel die into the desired profile shape. 

The construction and building of metal structures such as aluminium windows and doors. 

A building façade is the front facing side of a building, otherwise known as envelope, enclosure or building “skin”. Façades are a key element of a building’s design, responsible for the building’s energy efficiency, air and water tightness and performances.

The final colour coating on the extruded aluminium bars, in either anodization, sublimation or powder coating, creating a protective barrier to prevent aluminium from oxidizing or corroding. 

This part of the window is fixed into the surrounding wall. The sash which opens and closes seals onto the frame making the window airtight and water resistant. 

A lining along the window frame and window sash that creates a tight seal, preventing water, dust and air from coming into the building.

These windows or doors have the sash attached to the frame by one or more hinges. They can have single, double or multiple sashes and require enough room for the sash to open into. 

A safety glass that does not fall apart when shattered. This is because of a specialized interlayer which holds the shattered pieces together in case of breaking. 

These sliding windows and doors have a mechanism that allows the sash to sit and seal with the track underneath, leading to enhanced sealing with increased thermal performance and sound insulation. The handles have a 180 degree motion that lifts the sash from the track, allowing it to slide open or closed. When the handle is turned back, the sash sits and seals with the track, locking it in place. 

One millionth of a meter, used in referencing the powder coating or anodization thickness.

The aluminium profile with its natural silver finish after extrusion and ageing. 

Is when the mill finish aluminium surface reacts with oxygen in the atmosphere, creating a layer of aluminium oxide which hardens and prevents any further corrosion to take place.

The process of an even layer of powdered colour being sprayed onto mill finish aluminium bars using electrostatic charges to ensure an even layer. The bars then pass through an oven where the powder melts and hardens into the desired finish. MUSKITA offers our own custom line of powder coating finishes as well as any RAL colour of your choosing. 

The cross-section of an aluminium bar produced with extrusion, with intricate designs engineered to serve a purpose such as strengthening, thermally insulating, or increasing functionality of our systems. 

Glass with additional safety features that either prevent the glass from breaking or have it break in a specific way, e.g. tempered glass, laminated glass.

The part of the window that you move, either slide or open, that sits in and seals with the window frame around it. 

These have two or more sashes that slide open horizontally on their track. They require less space to open as one slides in front of the other and are ideal for unobscured views.

A small piece of metal or plastic that is used to create a small distance or space between panes of glass in windows.

These windows are fixed into the wall without moving, opening or closing. They are ideal for visibility and allowing light into the room but do not provide any ventilation. 

A safety glass created through controlled thermal or chemical processes in order to increase its strength compared to normal glass. 

A continuous barrier connecting the interior and exterior aluminium frames of the window sash. These barriers, made of polyamides or polyurethane, prevent conductive energy loss giving lower U-values to the windows, contributing to energy savings.  

Inward opening windows that have two functions. They can either open fully as a hinged window or have the top sash section tilt inwards allowing for ventilation.

A measurement of how effective a material is as an insulator, such as walls and windows. The lower the U-value, the lower the heat loss and the more insulation the material provides.