72 mm French Sliding Window Profiles: Component Guide
A 72 mm French sliding window uses a set of extruded aluminium profiles (outer frame, sash rails and stiles, interlocks and trims) that together give a slim, wide-opening slider with a 72 mm frame depth. This guide explains what each profile does, typical wall thicknesses and weights per metre, and the alloy, finish and tolerance points fabricators should specify. Metline supplies the aluminium profiles; fabrication and installation are done by the window maker.
- Frame depth
- 72 mm
- Wall thickness
- 1.0 – 1.2 mm typical
- Alloy
- 6063-T5 / 6060-T66
- Finishes
- Powder coat, anodise, wood grain
What a French sliding window is
“French sliding window” is a trade name for a two- or multi-panel slider with slim interlocking stiles and a large glass area, popular for balconies and living rooms. The sashes run on rollers in tracks formed in the bottom frame, and the meeting stiles hook together to close the gap.
The 72 mm figure is the depth of the outer frame, which sets how much room there is for two sash tracks, the glazing and the rollers. A 72 mm frame typically accommodates single glazing or slim insulating glass units in each sash. Deeper series (90 – 120 mm) are used where thicker double glazing, three tracks or thermal breaks are needed.
Profiles in a typical 72 mm set
Exact sections differ between system designs, but a 72 mm French slider normally uses the following profiles. The weights and wall thicknesses below are indicative values for one typical series; your system drawings give the exact figures.
| Profile | Function | Typical wall (mm) | Indicative weight (kg/m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outer frame (two-track) | Perimeter frame with integral sash tracks; fixed to the wall opening | 1.2 | ≈ 1.16 |
| Drip / rain cap | Sheds water off the top of the frame | 1.1 | ≈ 0.16 |
| Sash top and bottom rail, hollow | Horizontal sash members for insulating glass units | 1.2 | ≈ 0.52 |
| Sash top and bottom rail, single glazing | Lighter rail for single glass panes | 1.0 | ≈ 0.53 |
| Interlock (hook) stile | Meeting stile that hooks into the adjacent sash | 1.2 | ≈ 0.24 – 0.54 |
| Plain sash stile | Outer vertical sash member that closes against the frame | 1.2 | ≈ 0.62 – 0.65 |
| Sash section | Main sash profile in some layouts | 1.2 | ≈ 0.72 |
| Coupling / joining profile | Joins frames side by side or to fixed lights | 1.2 | ≈ 0.17 |
Profile weight is the most direct way to compare quotations: a set that is 15 % lighter for the same section usually has thinner walls. Always compare per-metre weights for the same profile before comparing price per kilogram.
Alloy, temper and finishes
Recommended material specification
- Alloy
- 6063 or 6060 (EN AW-6063 / EN AW-6060); 6063 is the global standard for window profiles
- Temper
- T5 or T6 (T66 in Europe for higher strength)
- Typical mechanical properties
- 6063-T5: tensile about 186 MPa, yield about 145 MPa (typical)
- Dimensional tolerances
- EN 12020-2 (precision profiles in 6060/6063) or EN 755-9
- Powder coating
- Polyester powder, film around 60 – 80 µm; architectural quality per Qualicoat or AAMA 2604/2605
- Anodising
- Clear or bronze, typically 15 – 25 µm for exterior use
- Other finishes
- Wood-grain transfer, electrophoretic coating, PVDF
Wall thickness requirements vary by country and by wind load. Many building codes and specifiers set minimum wall thicknesses for main load-bearing window profiles, often in the range 1.2 – 1.4 mm or more for exposed elevations; check the local rule and the structural calculation before choosing a lighter series.
What the profiles must achieve in the finished window
- Wind resistance: stile and interlock sections must limit deflection under design wind pressure; tall sashes may need reinforced interlocks
- Air and water tightness: brush seals, gaskets and frame drainage slots work together; sliders typically rate lower than casements
- Smooth operation: straight, accurately extruded tracks and correctly sized rollers keep sliding force low
- Thermal performance: non-thermal-break 72 mm sliders suit mild climates; cold or hot climates call for thermal-break series
- Durability: finish thickness and quality determine appearance life in coastal or industrial atmospheres
In Europe, finished windows are assessed to EN 14351-1, with air permeability, watertightness and wind resistance classified to EN 12207, EN 12208 and EN 12210. These tests are carried out on the complete window built by the fabricator.
How to order the profiles
- Share drawingsProfile cross-sections with dimensions and weights, or physical samples to be matched.
- Confirm alloy and temperUsually 6063-T5; T6 for larger sashes.
- Specify the finishColour code, coating system and film thickness, or anodising class.
- Set lengths and packingStandard 5.8 m or 6 m lengths, protective film, interleaving and export packing.
- InspectionDimensional check against drawings, coating thickness and adhesion, mill certificate EN 10204 3.1.
References and standards
- EN 12020-2 – Extruded precision profiles in alloys EN AW-6060 and EN AW-6063: tolerances on dimensions and form
- EN 755-2 – Extruded rod/bar, tube and profiles: mechanical properties
- EN 14351-1 – Windows and doors: product standard, performance characteristics
- Qualicoat – Specifications for a quality label for liquid and powder organic coatings on aluminium for architectural applications
72 mm sliding window profiles: frequently asked questions
What does 72 mm mean in a sliding window series?
It is the depth of the outer frame. It determines how many tracks fit, how thick the glazing can be and how stiff the frame is.
What wall thickness should sliding window profiles have?
Light series use about 1.0 – 1.2 mm; many specifiers require 1.2 – 1.4 mm or more for main profiles on exposed or high-rise elevations. Follow the local code and structural calculation.
Which aluminium alloy is used for window profiles?
6063 in T5 or T6 temper, or 6060 in Europe. These alloys extrude complex thin-walled shapes with a smooth surface that coats and anodises well.
Can you match an existing sliding window (aluminum) profile?
Yes. Send drawings or samples and we will supply extrusions to the same sections, subject to die availability or new die manufacture.
Does Metline make the finished windows?
No. Metline supplies the aluminium profiles and related materials to fabricators, who cut, assemble, glaze and install the windows.
Need profiles for a sliding window series?
Send your drawings, finish and quantity, and our team will reply with a quotation for the aluminium extrusions.
