Aluminum Window Sourcing

Aluminum Window Sourcing Agent in Foshan, China

Foshan’s Nanhai District is one of China’s main aluminium window fabrication clusters. Factories here cut, weld, and assemble aluminium window and door systems to custom sizes, using profile systems sourced from domestic aluminium extrusion mills. The cluster serves both the Chinese domestic market — which is large enough to sustain a significant industrial base — and export markets across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania.

HSY Sourcing is based in Foshan. We source aluminium windows for property developers, construction companies, and project buyers who need a local agent to manage factory selection, technical specification review, shop drawing approval, production monitoring, quality inspection, and consolidated shipping. Windows are one of the more technically complex categories we work with — profile wall thickness, glass specification, hardware grade, thermal performance, and weathering requirements all affect what arrives on site and how it performs over time.

This page covers what window types we source, what the specification decisions are that most affect quality and performance, what compliance requirements look like by market, and what realistic lead times and logistics involve.

👉 Send us your window schedule or architectural drawings — we will respond within 48 hours.

Why Foshan for Aluminium Windows

The Nanhai aluminium processing cluster in Foshan sits at the intersection of raw aluminium extrusion supply and window fabrication. Profile mills in the area produce the extruded aluminium sections that window factories cut and fabricate, which means window factories here have short, reliable supply chains for their core input material. This reduces lead time risk and makes custom profile specifications more practical than in locations where profiles must be sourced from distant mills.

The cluster has factories across the quality spectrum. Some produce at low cost for the domestic construction market, using lighter-gauge profiles and basic hardware. Others produce for export markets with stricter specifications — thicker-walled profiles, certified hardware brands, tested thermal breaks, and certified glass. Identifying the right factory for a specific project’s specification and budget is the core of what we do.

A practical note on how aluminium windows are produced for export: windows are fabricated to custom sizes based on your architectural openings, not manufactured in standard sizes that are then fitted to openings. This means every order starts with a set of drawings specifying each window’s opening dimensions, operation type, sightline preferences, and hardware requirements. We review these drawings with factory engineers before production begins — this is mandatory on every window order we manage.

Window and Door Types We Source

Residential and Commercial Windows

Casement windows — side-hung, top-hung (awning), and tilt-and-turn. Casement windows are the most common residential window type in most export markets. Profile wall thickness (1.2mm, 1.4mm, 2.0mm), weather seal specification, and friction stay hardware grade are the main quality variables. For markets with wind load requirements, profile thickness and corner joint welding specification need to match the structural requirement.

Sliding windows — single-track and multi-track. Roller hardware grade is the main durability variable; cheap rollers fail early, particularly in dusty or sandy environments. For buyers in Middle Eastern or coastal markets, roller housing material (nylon versus stainless steel) affects corrosion performance.

Louvre windows — blade windows with adjustable glass slats. Common in tropical and subtropical climates for natural ventilation. Blade retention mechanism specification is important for cyclone-rated applications.

Fixed lights — non-opening glass panels within an aluminium frame, used for views, borrowed light, or where ventilation is provided by other means.

Tilt-and-turn windows — common in European markets, less so in other regions. Tilt-and-turn hardware is more complex than standard casement hardware; the hardware brand and grade affect both function and longevity.

Sliding and Folding Doors

Lift-and-slide doors — large-format sliding doors where the panel lifts slightly during operation to clear the track, reducing sliding resistance. Common for balcony and terrace access in residential and hospitality projects. Available in widths from around 2.4m to 6m+ for multi-panel configurations. The floor track profile needs to suit the building’s threshold detail; we confirm this against architectural drawings before ordering.

Standard sliding doors — smaller-format sliding doors for internal and external use. More economical than lift-and-slide; not appropriate for very large panels.

Bi-fold doors — folding door systems that stack to one or both sides. For large openings connecting indoor and outdoor spaces. Roller and hinge hardware specification is critical for smooth operation at large sizes.

Aluminium swing doors — hinged single or double doors. Internal and external grades available; weather seal specification for external doors differs from internal.

Stacking slide systems — multiple panels that stack into a pocket or alongside each other. Used for large wall openings in hospitality and high-end residential projects.

Curtain Wall and Structural Glazing

For commercial and mixed-use projects requiring curtain wall systems — unitised or stick-built — we can source from Foshan factories with relevant experience. Curtain wall procurement involves a higher level of technical documentation (wind load calculations, structural engineer sign-off, weathertightness test reports) and is managed separately from standard window orders. If your project includes curtain wall, contact us to discuss the scope and documentation requirements before we confirm whether and how we can assist.

The Specification Decisions That Matter Most

Aluminium windows have more performance variables than most interior categories, and the decisions that affect long-term performance and building code compliance need to be made before production — not checked after installation.

Profile Wall Thickness

Aluminium window profiles are extruded sections with a defined wall thickness — the thickness of the aluminium at any cross-section of the profile. Thinner walls reduce aluminium content and cost; thicker walls increase structural performance and durability.

Standard Chinese domestic construction windows use profiles with 1.2mm wall thickness. This is adequate for standard residential windows in sheltered locations with no wind load requirements. For export markets with structural wind load standards, or for large-format windows and doors where profile deflection under load matters, 1.4mm or 2.0mm wall thickness is the minimum appropriate specification.

We specify minimum wall thickness in purchase contracts and can verify profile thickness during production using a digital wall thickness gauge. This is a check that cannot be made from photographs.

Thermal Break Specification

A thermal break is a low-conductivity material inserted into the aluminium profile to reduce heat transfer between the interior and exterior faces of the window frame. It is the component that makes an aluminium window suitable for thermally regulated building envelopes.

Non-thermal-break (standard) profiles are aluminium sections without a thermal break. The interior and exterior faces of the frame are a single continuous piece of aluminium. These are not appropriate for buildings in climates where thermal insulation is required — condensation will form on the frame interior in cold weather, and the window contributes significantly to building heat gain in hot climates.

Polyamide thermal break profiles have a glass-fibre reinforced polyamide strip (typically 14mm, 24mm, or 32mm wide) bonded between the interior and exterior aluminium sections. The wider the polyamide strip, the better the thermal performance. This is the standard thermal break specification for most export markets with energy performance requirements.

Poured and debridged thermal break (PU foam) is a less common alternative where polyurethane foam is injected into a cavity and the aluminium bridge is removed after curing. Less common in Chinese factory production than polyamide strip.

For markets with mandatory window energy ratings (Australia NCC Section J, European EN 14351, Canadian NBC), the thermal break specification needs to match the U-value or energy rating required. We confirm the required thermal break width against your market’s performance requirements before recommending a factory.

Glass Specification

The glass unit has as much impact on window thermal and acoustic performance as the frame. Main options:

Single glazing — one pane of glass. Not appropriate for thermally regulated or acoustically sensitive buildings. Still used in tropical markets where thermal insulation is not a building code requirement.

Double glazing (IGU — Insulated Glass Unit) — two panes of glass with a spacer bar between them creating an air or gas-filled cavity. The most common specification for residential and commercial buildings in markets with thermal performance requirements. Cavity width (typically 12mm or 16mm) and fill (air, argon, krypton) affect U-value. Argon fill improves thermal performance over air at a modest cost increase.

Low-E coating — a metallic coating on one glass surface that reduces radiated heat transfer. Applied to the inner face of the outer pane (hard coat) or the cavity-facing surface of the inner pane (soft coat). Soft-coat Low-E (also called sputtered or magnetron Low-E) gives better thermal performance but must be protected inside the cavity — it cannot be used as single-glazed. Low-E coatings significantly reduce solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) and improve U-value.

Triple glazing — three panes with two cavities. Higher thermal performance; heavier and more expensive. Less common in Chinese factory production but available for export orders with specific requirements.

Laminated glass — two glass panes bonded with a PVB interlayer. Required for safety glazing in some applications (overhead glazing, balustrades, glass floors). Also improves acoustic performance relative to annealed glass of the same thickness.

Acoustic glass — laminated glass with a specific PVB interlayer formulation for sound attenuation, or asymmetric glass configurations (different thickness panes) to break resonance frequencies. For projects in high-noise environments or markets with mandatory acoustic ratings.

We specify the full glass unit configuration — glass type, thickness, cavity width, fill gas, and coating — in purchase contracts and verify against glazing certificates on sample units.

Hardware Specification

Window hardware — handles, friction stays, hinges, tilt-and-turn mechanisms, roller assemblies for sliding doors — is where product performance diverges most visibly from product appearance. All hardware looks similar in a factory showroom and in photographs. The difference is in cycle life testing results and material corrosion resistance.

Friction stays for casement windows: the stay controls the opening range of the window and resists wind load on the open sash. Branded hardware (Maco, Siegenia, Roto, GEZE) is tested to cycle life standards (typically 10,000+ open/close cycles) and salt spray resistance standards for coastal environments. Unbranded Chinese hardware is not tested to these standards and fails earlier.

Roller assemblies for sliding doors: the roller housing material (nylon, steel, stainless steel) determines corrosion resistance. For coastal and tropical markets, stainless steel roller assemblies are appropriate. Nylon rollers perform adequately in dry inland environments but degrade in humidity and salt air.

Lift-and-slide hardware: the lift mechanism and track for lift-and-slide doors requires precise alignment and robust hardware to function smoothly under panel weights of 100kg or more per leaf. We specify hardware brand and model for all lift-and-slide orders.

Compliance and Performance Requirements by Market

Aluminium windows are one of the few interior categories with mandatory building code performance requirements in most developed markets. These requirements need to be reflected in the profile, glass, and hardware specification before production begins.

Market	Key Requirements
Australia	NCC Section J energy provisions (U-value/SHGC per climate zone); AS 2208 safety glazing; AS/NZS 4666 insulating glass units; cyclone ratings for northern zones (AS 1170.2)
New Zealand	H1 energy efficiency provisions; NZS 4211 windows and glazed doors performance
European Union	EN 14351-1 windows and external pedestrian doors; CE marking; EPC energy performance requirements vary by member state
United Kingdom	Part L Building Regulations energy performance; FENSA or CERTASS certification for replacement windows
United States	AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 (NAFS) performance grades; Energy Star certification for some applications
Canada	NBC energy performance requirements; CSA A440 windows
Middle East (UAE, Saudi)	Estidama/Pearl rating system in UAE; SASO standards in Saudi Arabia; solar heat gain control is typically the primary requirement
Southeast Asia	Varies by country; generally less prescriptive than Australia/Europe but cyclone/typhoon resistance required in some zones

For markets with mandatory testing requirements (Australia, New Zealand, Europe, North America), windows supplied from Foshan need to be produced using a profile and hardware system with relevant test reports, or tested as fabricated units. Not all Foshan factories have test reports for all markets. We confirm which factories hold the relevant test documentation for your destination before recommending them for your project.

How We Manage Aluminium Window Procurement

Review your window schedule and drawings

We need architectural drawings showing each window’s rough opening dimensions, operation type (casement, sliding, fixed, lift-and-slide), sightline preferences, and any special requirements (cyclone rating, acoustic rating, security glazing) before approaching factories. If your drawings are not yet finalised, a preliminary schedule of window types and approximate quantities allows us to provide indicative pricing while detailed design continues.

Specification review and factory selection

We review your drawings against the performance requirements for your destination market and confirm the profile, glass, and hardware specification required before approaching factories. This step identifies any specification gaps or building code requirements that need to be resolved before production drawings are issued.

We select 2–3 factories from our Foshan network suited to your project’s specification level, performance requirements, and budget. For projects requiring test-report-backed compliance, we confirm test report availability before shortlisting.

Shop drawing review

Factory engineers produce shop drawings for each window type — elevation views, section details through the frame, hardware positions, glazing bead details, and installation anchor positions. We review these against your architectural drawings and specification before production begins. This is where dimensional errors and specification mismatches are caught at minimal cost.

Sample review

For project orders, a physical sample of the main window type is fabricated before bulk production is released. We review the sample for profile finish quality, hardware function, glass unit specification, and weatherseal installation. For thermally broken windows, we can arrange a basic thermal inspection on the sample to verify the thermal break is correctly installed.

Production monitoring

We visit the factory during production to verify profile wall thickness, glass unit specification, and hardware brand on a sample of fabricated units. These are not visible after powder coating and glazing are complete.

Pre-shipment inspection

Before packing, we inspect finished windows against the shop drawings and purchase order specification: dimensions, finish consistency, hardware function, glass unit identification, and packaging adequacy. Long aluminium profiles and glazed units require careful packing — horizontal crating for profiles, foam padding between glass faces, and rigid protection at corners. We verify packaging before container loading.

Lead Times for Aluminium Windows from Foshan

Category	Typical Production Lead Time
Standard casement and sliding windows (custom sizes, standard profile)	30 – 45 days
Casement and sliding windows with thermal break	35 – 50 days
Lift-and-slide doors (standard sizes and hardware)	40 – 55 days
Bi-fold door systems	45 – 60 days
Custom profile or non-standard hardware specification	50 – 65 days
Curtain wall systems	60 – 90 days (scope-dependent)

Lead times run from confirmed order with signed shop drawings to goods ready for collection at our Foshan warehouse. Shop drawing production and review — which happens before production begins — typically adds 10 to 20 days depending on drawing complexity and revision rounds. We provide a complete timeline at the start of each order.

What Affects Aluminium Window Pricing

Profile system is the largest cost variable. Basic domestic-grade profiles with 1.2mm wall thickness are the cheapest option. Export-grade profiles with 1.4mm–2.0mm walls, thermal breaks, and compatible hardware systems cost more. A named system profile (e.g., a factory working within a licensed profile system with associated test reports) costs more than a generic fabricated profile.

Thermal break specification — non-thermal profiles are cheapest; 14mm polyamide break is next; 24mm or 32mm break for better thermal performance adds further cost.

Glass specification — single glazing is cheapest; double glazing with air cavity is next; argon-filled IGU with Low-E coating is more expensive; acoustic laminated glass or triple glazing adds cost further.

Hardware brand and grade — unbranded domestic hardware is cheapest; reputable Chinese brands (Kinlong) are mid-range; European hardware brands (Maco, Siegenia, Roto) are most expensive. For projects in coastal environments or with cyclone/hurricane requirements, hardware grade is not optional.

Powder coat colour — standard white and silver are the cheapest powder coat options. Custom RAL colours add cost; special texture finishes (wood-look, stone-look, brushed) add more; anodised finishes are a different process and generally more expensive than standard powder coat.

Panel sizes — larger window and door panels require heavier-gauge profiles and more robust hardware. Lift-and-slide doors above approximately 3m panel width require specific hardware capable of carrying the additional panel weight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you source windows to meet Australian energy efficiency requirements under the NCC?

Yes, but it requires the right profile and glass specification for the climate zone. Australia’s NCC Section J requirements for windows vary by climate zone — a window suitable for Brisbane (Zone 2) is not necessarily suitable for Melbourne (Zone 6). We confirm the required U-value and SHGC for your project location and specify the profile, thermal break, and glass unit accordingly. We can also assist in identifying Foshan factories whose systems have Australian test reports, which simplifies compliance documentation.

Our project is in a coastal location. What hardware and coating specifications should we require?

For coastal environments within approximately 1km of salt water, we recommend: stainless steel fasteners throughout, marine-grade powder coat (minimum 60 micron thickness, tested to AAMA 2604 or equivalent salt spray standard), stainless steel roller assemblies for sliding and lift-and-slide systems, and stainless steel friction stays for casement windows. These specifications are available from Foshan factories but need to be specified explicitly — standard production uses regular-grade hardware and coating.

Can windows be shipped with glass already installed, or do they need to be shipped unglazed?

Both options are available. Shipping glazed windows is more common for standard residential sizes where the glass-to-frame seal has already been made in the factory. For very large panels or for projects where glass is sourced locally, unglazed frames can be shipped and glazed on-site. Glazed windows require careful packaging — horizontal crating with foam pads between glass faces — and are heavier per unit than unglazed frames. We advise on the most appropriate option for your panel sizes and destination.

What is included in a window order — frames only, or frames plus installation hardware?

A standard window order includes the fabricated frame with glass installed, powder coat finish, handles, and opening hardware (friction stays, rollers). It does not typically include installation anchors, perimeter sealant, or installation labour. We confirm the complete scope of supply at the quotation stage and specify any additional components — installation anchor brackets, drainage inserts, draught seals — in the purchase contract.

Can you match the window profile colour to other aluminium elements in the building — balustrades, facades, louvres?

Powder coat colour matching between different fabricators is possible using RAL or AS2312 colour references, but the match depends on both factories using comparable powder coat formulations and curing parameters. For projects where colour consistency between window frames and other aluminium elements matters, we recommend specifying the same powder coat brand and RAL number for all aluminium components and requesting test panels from each factory before production is released.

What documentation do you provide for window compliance — test reports, certificates?

We provide factory-issued test reports for the profile and hardware system used in your windows, certificates of conformity for glass units (tempering, lamination, Low-E coating, IGU), and powder coat test certificates. For projects requiring market-specific certification (Australian NCC, European CE marking), we confirm documentation availability before confirming the factory. We do not fabricate test reports; we provide whatever documentation the factory holds for the system being used.

HSY Sourcing — Aluminum Window Sourcing Agent based in Foshan, China. Casement, sliding, louvre, lift-and-slide, and bi-fold aluminium window and door systems — custom fabricated to your dimensions, quality inspected, and shipped as part of your complete building materials procurement.