Kathmandu

As the price of wood is escalating, aluminium has become a popular option to use for windows and doors. Eco-friendly, cost effective, easy to operate and aesthetic looks are some reasons for the growing demand of aluminium. The traders stated that the demand for aluminium products has doubled after the earthquake.

“The demand for aluminium doors and windows has increased by 200 per cent after the earthquake,” said Madan Manandhar, Managing Director at Nu-Tech Pvt Ltd.  “Earlier demand was from urban areas only. But now the demand for products has grown in rural areas too after the earthquake,” he added.

Aluminum windows and doors come in wide variety of colour, styles and designs. Windows are available in sliding, casement, structural lazing, bay and arch models while doors can be either swing, hinge, sliding or bi-folding. In the market, one can get Chinese aluminium that costs from Rs 300 to Rs 800 per sq ft depending upon quality and thickness of less than 1mm to 3mm.

“Less than 1mm thickness is not suitable for construction purpose. However, there are many traders selling less than 1mm thick-ness products at low prices,” said Manandhar.  Citing that there is unhealthy competition among players, he said, “As people these days are more price sensitive than quality, traders import low grade aluminium which bends, gets smashed and comes with feeble locks.”

For aluminium windows and doors, plain glass is preferred instead of black ones. According to him, 90 per cent of customers buy aluminium for doors and windows while 10 per cent for partitioning purposes. Reportedly, business houses prefer structural glazed windows and swing doors, whereas sliding windows and hinge doors are more popular for residencies.

“Previously wood was the first choice for doors and windows. Owing to high cost, the use of wood is fast depleting and people have shifted to aluminium,” informed Anu Rajbanshi, Sales and Marketing Manager at Skylight, which imports Technal products from France and Thai products from Thailand. She said that their products are preferred for both residential as well as commercial buildings.

According to her, Skylight assures its product to be light, tough, weatherproof, dust proof, corrosion resistant and with a high strength to weight ratio. She informed that they have a wide range of products to match customers’ choice. She said, “Unlike wooden windows and doors, aluminium does not fade, matches with style and design of building, requires less maintenance and paint jobs.”

The price of Thai aluminium is between Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per sq ft while it costs Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500 per sq ft for Technal products. “Our products are costlier than other Chinese products but is worth it for quality, durability and design,” she said, adding that they provide good after sales service. Skylight has aluminium of 1.5mm to 3mm thickness.

“The demand for aluminium is increasing in the market,” said Amir Thapa, Proprietor at Royal Construction Sewa, adding, “Unhealthy competition has become a big challenge to the business.” He said that due to unhealthy competition, the rate of products vary from trader to trader. Citing that they trade Chinese products, he said, “More than 70 per cent of the market is enjoyed by Chinese products while the rest is from Thailand, India, France and other countries.” According to him, installation of aluminium doors and windows are hassle free and can be completed in a short period of time depending upon project site.