Architectural Aluminum

What is Industrial Architectural Aluminum?

Industrial industrial architectural aluminum is the set of structural systems, enclosures, and dividing elements manufactured with high-specification extruded aluminum profiles, designed to withstand mechanical, thermal, and heavy-duty demands within manufacturing environments, warehouses, laboratories, and corporate offices integrated into plants.

Unlike residential fenestration, industrial architectural aluminum is characterized by the use of high-strength alloys, profile sections with greater moments of inertia, heavy-duty hardware, and safety and thermal-acoustic control glazing systems.

Key components and elements of our systems:

• Extruded Profiles: Certified aluminum alloys (mainly 6063-T5 and 6061-T6) with wall thicknesses calculated to withstand wind deflection and dead loads.
• Facade Systems (Curtain Wall): Self-supporting structures of the Stick or modular (Unitized) type that clad the exterior of warehouses and office facilities.
• Integrated Glass Units (IGU): Tempered, laminated safety, or double (insulated) glass with argon gas chambers for thermal and acoustic insulation.
• Anchoring Systems: Structural steel plates, angles, and bolts with hot-dip galvanized coating or stainless steel to prevent galvanic corrosion.
• High-Performance Sealants: Neutral-cure structural and weather-seal silicones resistant to UV radiation and extreme temperature variations.
• Industrial Grade Hardware: Pivot hinges, heavy-duty hydraulic door closers, panic bars, and high-security locks.

When is it needed?

A plant or maintenance manager should consider updating, replacing, or installing new architectural aluminum systems when the following operational situations arise:

1. High electricity consumption costs (HVAC): Loss of thermal efficiency in offices or production areas due to obsolete fenestration with air leaks or single-pane glass without solar control.
2. Water and dust infiltration indoors: Entry of moisture or dust particles into assembly areas, finished product warehouses, or server rooms during the rainy season or dust storms in northeastern Mexico.
3. Corrosion degradation in existing fenestration: Steel frames or hardware rusted due to the presence of humidity, chemical vapors, or wet processes in the plant.
4. Structural insecurity against strong winds: Excessive vibrations or visible deflections in glass facades during storms or common wind gusts in Coahuila and Nuevo León.
5. Non-compliance with occupational safety standards: Presence of raw glass (not tempered or laminated) in heavy pedestrian traffic areas or areas prone to impacts.
6. Excessive noise levels in supervision offices: Difficulty maintaining clear communication within production offices due to noise from external heavy machinery.

Problems it solves

• Production stoppages due to contamination: Prevents the entry of external contaminants (dust, insects, water) into sensitive production lines (food, pharmaceutical, or electronics industry) through hermetic sealing.
• Risks of workplace accidents: Eliminates the danger of common glass breakage by replacing it with tempered or laminated safety glass that prevents projections of sharp fragments upon impact.
• Premature infrastructure wear: Anodized or electrostatically painted aluminum resists aggressive industrial environments without the need for periodic painting, eliminating recurring maintenance costs.
• Losses due to thermal bridges: Minimizes the transfer of external heat to climate-controlled areas, protecting sensitive electronic equipment and reducing the plant's carbon footprint.

Applications and industries that use it

Our architectural aluminum solutions are designed to integrate into the most demanding environments of the industry in northeastern Mexico:

• Automotive and Metalworking Industry: Industrial building facades, production floor supervision booths, main entrances, and technical office divisions.
• Food and Beverage Plants: Hermetic enclosures with easy-to-clean profiles, divisions for packaging areas and quality control laboratories that meet food safety criteria.
• Distribution and Logistics Centers (CEDIS): Traffic control areas, dock offices, high-frequency pedestrian access, and administrative office facades.
• Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industry: Window/door systems with finishes resistant to moderate chemical attack, airlocks for pressure control and clean rooms.

Types of aluminum solutions and systems

High-specification materials and technologies

At SINE México, we rigorously select materials and components to ensure the long-term performance of each project:

• Aluminum Alloys: We use extruded profiles under the standard ASTM B221, guaranteeing optimal chemical composition and mechanical properties for structural strength.
• Surface Treatments:
  • Anodizing: Electrochemical process that generates a controlled aluminum oxide layer (Class I of 18 microns minimum) in accordance with the standard AAMA 611, ideal for resisting environmental corrosion.
  • Electrostatic Paint (Powder Coating): Application of baked polyester resin paint under specifications AAMA 2604 o AAMA 2605, offering excellent color retention and resistance to the extreme weather of the northeastern desert.
• Specialized Hardware: We work with leading global brands such as Jackson, Dorma, Ryobi y Yale to ensure the proper functioning of high-traffic pedestrian doors.
• Structural Sealants: We apply one-component and two-component neutral cure silicones from the brand Dow Corning (Dowsil), specifically formulated for bonding glass to metal in curtain walls.

Applicable Regulations and Standards

Our engineering, manufacturing, and installation projects adhere to national and international quality and safety standards:

• ONCCE / NMX-R-080-SCFI: Specifications and test methods for aluminum windows and doors.
• ASTM E330: Standard Test Method for Structural Performance of Exterior Windows, Doors, and Unitized Curtain Walls by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference.
• AAMA (American Architectural Manufacturers Association): Standards for the certification of finish durability on aluminum and air and water infiltration performance.
• NOM-008-ENER: Energy efficiency in buildings, complying with the required solar heat gain coefficients (SHGC) and thermal transmittance values (U-Value).
• NOM-031-STPS: Safety and health conditions at work for construction and installation activities at heights.

Our work process (SINE)

1. On-Site Survey and Diagnosis: Free technical visit to evaluate the structural substrate conditions, take dimensions with precision laser equipment, and identify thermal, acoustic, and safety control needs.
2. Detailed Engineering and Proposal: Development of modulation plans, wind load calculation, selection of appropriate profiles, hardware, and glass. Presentation of detailed quotation and technical specifications.
3. Fabrication in Mandated Workshop: Fabrication of aluminum profiles using double-head precision cutting machinery, pneumatic punch presses, and hermetic mechanical assemblies in a controlled environment.
4. Site Preparation for Installation: Placement of certified scaffolding, lifting platforms (if applicable), demarcation of safe work areas, and placement of leveled structural anchors.
5. Installation and Assembly: Placement of aluminum profiles, installation of glass using industrial-grade safety suction cups, placement of EPDM gaskets, and application of perimeter silicone seals.
6. Quality Control and Hermeticity Tests: Performance of visual finish inspections, verification of proper hardware operation, and water tightness tests using a pressure hose to ensure zero leaks.
7. Delivery and Release: Signing of the delivery-receipt act along with the delivery of the maintenance manual and warranty policy.

Common mistakes when hiring / installing (And how we avoid them)

• Use of residential profiles in industrial areas: Many construction companies install thin profiles (light commercial lines) that deform with wind or daily use. At SINE, we calculate the profile's inertia based on height and location to ensure system rigidity.
• Galvanic incompatibility: Direct contact between aluminum and carbon steel anchors causes accelerated galvanic corrosion. We interpose dielectric insulators (neoprene gaskets or plastic washers) and use stainless steel or galvanized fasteners.
• Poor sealing with inadequate silicone: The use of cheap acetic silicones causes rapid detachment and leaks. At SINE, we exclusively apply architectural-grade neutral cure silicones with excellent adhesion and elasticity.
• Lack of leveling in the receiving structure: Installing on out-of-plumb walls or beams creates tension in the glass that can lead to spontaneous breakage. Our technical team rectifies levels prior to aluminum placement.

Factors determining cost

The budget for an industrial architectural aluminum project is calculated individually based on the following variables:

• Project volume (m² of coverage): The larger the scale, the more optimized the use of profiles and glass sheets, reducing the cost per square meter.
• Profile and finish specification: The type of alloy, the width of the profile (3", 4" line or facade systems), and the selected finish (natural anodized, color, or certified electrostatic paint).
• Glazing type: The use of single glass, tempered safety glass, acoustic laminated glass, or double-glazed insulated units with low-emissivity treatments.
• Installation complexity: Requirements for working at heights, use of cranes, articulated boom lifts (Genie/JLG), and restricted work schedules at the plant.
• Geographic location: Logistics and travel expenses for execution in Torreón, Saltillo, Piedras Negras, or any location in northeastern Mexico.

SINE Guarantee

We offer a written warranty for up to 3 years in the installation and watertightness of our architectural aluminum systems, backed by factory warranties from profile manufacturers (up to 10 years on electrostatic paint and anodized finishes) and from glass and sealant manufacturers. Our commitment is to deliver robust solutions that operate without mechanical failures or leaks for decades.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of aluminum alloy do you use for industrial structures and facades?

We primarily use extruded aluminum alloy 6063 with T5 temper for general fenestration and facades, due to its excellent balance between mechanical strength and surface finish. For elements requiring higher structural loads or critical hardware, we specify 6061-T6 alloy, ensuring system stability against wind pressures and dead loads.

How do you ensure the aluminum facade withstands wind gusts in northeastern Mexico?

We perform a structural engineering analysis that calculates the dynamic wind pressure in the installation area (according to CFE's Wind Design Manual). Based on this, we determine the required inertia in the aluminum mullions, the glass thickness, and the type of galvanized carbon steel or stainless steel structural anchors that will fix the system to the slab or main structure.

What type of maintenance do these systems require in an industrial environment?

The main maintenance consists of periodic cleaning of profiles and glass to prevent the accumulation of corrosive agents or abrasive dust, annual inspection of the condition of structural silicone and joint perimeter seals, and calibration of heavy-duty hardware (door closers, hinges, and trolleys) in high pedestrian traffic areas.

Do you offer thermal insulation solutions to reduce air conditioning consumption at the plant?

Yes, we design and install aluminum systems with Thermal Break (RPT) combined with Insulated Glass Units (Double Glazing or DUO-VENT) that incorporate low-emissivity (Low-E) solar control coatings. This drastically reduces heat transfer by conduction and radiation, optimizing the energy consumption of HVAC systems.

Request your quote

Optimize your plant's infrastructure, safety, and energy efficiency with professional architectural aluminum solutions.

• Phone / WhatsApp: +52 871 228 3838
• Email: ventas@sinemantenimiento.com
• Offices and Coverage: Torreón, Saltillo, Piedras Negras, and throughout northeastern Mexico.

Contact us today to schedule a complimentary diagnostic technical visit and survey at your facilities.