Outer envelope and wall thickness
Show overall width and height, section walls and finished length. Identify straightness or twist requirements only where the assembly needs them.
Drawing-led architectural profile sourcing
Architectural Aluminum Profiles
Architectural aluminum profiles are extruded sections used in window and door frames, curtain-wall framing and shading assemblies. Aluminum Profile Works helps buyers coordinate a profile sourcing inquiry around section drawings, mating interfaces, material, finish and finished-part requirements.
Show what is defined and what still needs confirmationArchitectural profile RFQ example
Show what is defined and what still needs confirmation
This hypothetical window-frame inquiry illustrates the information to send. It does not describe a published APW product, an approved system or a real project.
Concept illustration only. This generic section is not a window-system profile, a manufacturing drawing, a certified part or an installation detail.
Hypothetical inquiry record
- Application
- Window-frame extrusion for a specified building assembly
- Section reference
- Dimensioned cross-section, units and drawing revision
- Mating interfaces
- Glazing, gasket, corner-joint and fixing references
- Material and finish
- Approved alloy / temper, exposed-face finish and applicable coating requirement
- Finished supply
- Cut length, machining, critical tolerances, inspection, quantity, packing and destination
Choose a sourcing path
Start with the reference you already have
Use an existing system reference, a dimensioned drawing or a project brief to identify which profile details are defined and which still need review.
- 01
You have a drawing or sample
Share the section drawing, revision and mating details. Mark critical dimensions and identify what must be supplied after finishing and machining.
Prepare a drawing-led RFQ - 02
Your specification is still open
Describe the intended window, facade or shading assembly and the project requirements already approved by its designer. Record unresolved details for the inquiry.
Discuss the requirement
Architectural profile selection
Define the extrusion and the assembly it must fit
Keep profile geometry, mating parts and finished supply requirements together. Project engineers and system owners must confirm building-envelope performance.
Section and mating interfaces
Identify the frame, mullion, transom, louver or other section and show rebates, gasket seats, glazing interfaces, connectors and fixing features where applicable.
Alloy and temper
Use the alloy and temper specified by the approved design. Hydro identifies 6063 as a common starting point for visible architectural extrusions, but material suitability depends on the application.
Surface finish
Specify anodizing or an organic coating where required, including color or sample reference, exposed faces and the applicable project finish specification.
Fabrication and inspection
Separate continuous extrusion dimensions from cut lengths, drilled features and other processing. State critical tolerances, measurement stage and required inspection records.
Drawing and dimension requirements
Dimension the features that control fit and finish
Send a cross-section with units, datums and revision, plus separate details for finished-part operations. Identify which dimensions apply before or after surface treatment.
Glazing and connection features
Dimension rebates, gasket seats, channels, fixing interfaces and connector engagement surfaces; include mating-part references and critical fit conditions.
Critical tolerances and revision
Mark the dimensions and inspection points that control assembly fit. Include the approved drawing revision and any changes from a physical sample.
Finish and post-processing
Identify exposed faces, coating or anodizing requirements, cut and hole locations, and whether measurements are required on the unfinished or finished part.
This guide provides no universal tolerances, structural ratings or building-system approvals. Confirm project-specific requirements with the responsible designer and selected system documentation.
Clarify before sourcing
Four gaps that change an architectural profile inquiry
An extrusion must be specified as a finished part within its intended assembly. Resolve these questions before treating a section image as a supply specification.
Mating interfaces are unclear
Frame, glazing, gasket, connector and fixing details can depend on features that an overall width does not show.
Share the system or component references, channel and rebate dimensions, critical fits and drawing revision.
Material and temper are undecided
A generic alloy name or visual sample does not define the material condition required by the approved design.
State the specified alloy and temper, or mark them for review against the project and fabrication requirements.
The finish requirement is incomplete
Color alone does not define coating type, finish quality, exposure conditions or which surfaces must be protected.
Provide the finish type, color or sample reference, exposure conditions and any applicable project coating specification.
Finished supply details are missing
Length, machining, inspection, packing and quantity affect what must be quoted and checked.
List finished lengths, holes or cuts, critical tolerances, required documents, quantities and destination.
Application contexts
Where architectural extrusions fit into building assemblies
These concept illustrations show typical application contexts. They are not stocked APW products, completed customer projects or approved building-system details.
Window and door framing
Frames, sashes and related sections need defined glazing, gasket, hardware and corner-joint interfaces. Match each extrusion to the selected system drawing.
Curtain-wall framing
Mullion and transom sections connect to glazing, brackets, covers and drainage details. System performance and structural adequacy require project-specific verification.
Sun shading and louvers
Louver blades and support profiles need defined connection geometry, exposed finish and finished lengths. Wind and fixing requirements belong to the approved assembly design.
Before you send an RFQ
Bring the section and assembly references together
A preliminary drawing can start the sourcing discussion. Mark which details are approved and which are still open.
- A dimensioned section drawing, CAD file, sample reference or sketch with units, revision and finished length
- Mating glazing, gasket, hardware, connector and fixing references relevant to the intended assembly
- Specified alloy and temper, finish type and color, exposed faces, coating requirements and project location
- Machining, critical tolerances, inspection documents, quantities, packing requirements and destination
Inquiry coordination
From architectural section to a clear sourcing request
Keep the drawing, mating components and finished supply condition connected through the inquiry.
01
Share the available specification
Send the drawing or profile reference, assembly context and known material, finish, quantity and destination information.
02
Clarify open details
Review missing section dimensions, mating interfaces, processing and inspection needs. Refer system performance and project approvals to the responsible specialists.
03
Confirm the sourcing next step
Coordinate the supply discussion around the reviewed specification and outstanding questions. Confirm commercial and delivery terms for the actual inquiry.
Technical references
Sources for material, coating and thermal-break questions
These external sources provide general technical context. They do not verify APW products, coatings, certifications or complete building-system performance.
Hydro: 6063 alloy
General guidance on 6063 extrusion use and visible architectural applications; final material selection belongs to the approved design.
Hydro: thermal break
Explains thermal-break joining in aluminum components. Verify the selected assembly and its performance documentation separately.
FGIA: architectural coating specifications
Introduces the updated AAMA 2603, 2604 and 2605 coating specifications. Specify the applicable edition and verify the actual finish against project requirements.
QUALICOAT specifications
Describes the quality-label specifications for architectural aluminum coatings; a reference link is not evidence that any supplier holds the label.
Architectural profile sourcing questions
Questions to resolve before an architectural profile RFQ
Use the selected building-system documents and qualified project review for structural, thermal, weather and installation decisions.
They are extruded aluminum sections used as parts of building assemblies such as window and door frames, curtain-wall framing and sun-shading systems. A section must be checked against its mating parts and project requirements before it is treated as suitable.
Start an architectural profile inquiry
Bring your architectural profile requirement together
Share the section drawing, mating references and supply details you have today. Aluminum Profile Works will use them to coordinate the next sourcing discussion.
Your drawing and available details will help frame the inquiry.
Specification requirements reviewedQuantity and delivery assessed per projectDrawings and documents by emailInspection requirements confirmed per project