In a thermally broken window frame, the parts of the frame inside and outside the building have to be separated so they cannot directly conduct heat. The aluminum window frame parts must be manufactured as two distinct pieces with another material in between.

The material used as the structural connection between these two aluminum pieces has to be a thermal insulator, which doesn’t conduct heat effectively. This just so happens to be an area where window manufacturers can use polyamides to achieve exceptional results.

Polyamides, such as nylon, are polymers with excellent thermal insulation properties that are a great option to connect the outside and inside parts of the window frames. By separating the inner and outer segments of the aluminum frame, heat cannot be efficiently conducted across the barrier. This effectively ‘breaks’ the thermal bridge that would otherwise exist if the frame was made as a single, solid piece.