Openings & elevations
Start with the window and door schedule, elevations, rough openings and any oversized or structurally sensitive spans.
Aluminum Window & Door Planning Checklist
Aluminum Window Planning · British Columbia
A window schedule is only the beginning.
Good aluminum window and door packages start with performance, opening type, glazing, sill and perimeter conditions, hardware, drainage and the way the system meets the building envelope.
Define performance before selecting profiles.
Frame depth and sightline matter, but they should follow the project conditions. Wind, water, air, thermal performance, glazing, size, opening type and installation interfaces can change which system is suitable.
For products within its scope, the BC Building Code 2024 references NAFS 2017 and the 2019 Canadian Supplement. Some custom, site-built, storefront, curtain-wall and other assemblies fall outside the normal NAFS scope and may require a Part 5 design path. The project team should confirm the applicable compliance route before specification.
Window & door planning checklist
Performance criteria
Identify air, water, structural, thermal and project-specific requirements before comparing systems or glazing packages.
Glazing & daylight
Review glass make-up, safety glazing, privacy, solar exposure, interior comfort and how large panes affect weight and handling.
Sill, drainage & envelope
Coordinate sill height, drainage path, membranes, cladding returns and perimeter conditions with the building-envelope strategy.
Operation & hardware
Casement, sliding, folding, pivot and entrance systems each bring different hardware, threshold, clearance and access requirements.
Finish, samples & approvals
Align finish, hardware, sample expectations, technical documentation and approval timing before production is released.
Bring the window package in before the openings are fixed.
Share the schedule, elevations, approximate sizes, opening types, glazing and performance priorities, target tender date and installation window. ARTMETA can help identify the system and interface questions worth resolving first.
Reference: BC Building Code 2024 information bulletin B24-04 on windows, doors and skylights. Final compliance, testing and engineering requirements remain project-specific.