An Engineering and Operational Review of Modern Aluminum Sliding Systems for Large-Format Glazing

Citation: Volkov Artem, "An Engineering and Operational Review of Modern Aluminum Sliding Systems for Large-Format Glazing", Universal Library of Engineering Technology, Volume 02, Issue 04.

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

The article presents an engineering and operational analysis of modern aluminum sliding systems used for large-format glazing. The relevance of the topic is dictated by the architectural trend toward creating panoramic and transformable spaces, which makes these systems a key element of modern buildings. Meanwhile, the rapid technological evolution of these structures creates a contradiction: on one hand, architects strive for maximum transparency and barrier-free access, while on the other, they face strict engineering requirements for energy efficiency, hermeticity, and durability. The goal of the article is to resolve this discrepancy by systematizing knowledge about various types (lift-and-slide, folding-sliding, etc.) and developing practical recommendations for their selection. It is concluded that the industry is moving toward specialization: lift-and-slide systems are being established as the standard for energy-efficient solutions in demanding climatic conditions, while folding-sliding systems occupy a niche where the priority is the maximum opening of the aperture, often at the expense of thermal insulation characteristics. The contribution of this work lies in formulating an original approach to system selection based on preventive engineering and consideration of the climatic context and long-term operational risks. The presented materials will be useful for practicing architects, structural engineers, and façade consultants.

Keywords: Aluminum Profiles, Barrier-Free Access, Large-Format Glazing, Lift-And-Slide Systems, Sliding Systems, Folding-Sliding Systems (“Accordion”), Thermal Characteristics, Energy Efficiency.

https://doi.org/10.70315/uloap.ulete.2025.0204005