Material

AVC Gemino uses exclusively high-quality materials for the composition of its doors and walls.

We would therefore like to offer an explanation of the terminology we use.

 

Aluminium

Aluminium is the basic material used in every AVC product.

The symbol for aluminium on the periodic table of elements is Al, and it is derived from the ore bauxite. When aluminium became available just over a century ago it took the world by storm, and is still an extremely popular material.

The properties of aluminium:

  • Very sustainable: 100% recyclable without any loss in quality

  • Abundantly available Aluminium is the third-most abundantly available element on Earth (preceded only by oxygen and silicon)

  • Rust-resistant

  • Long life

  • Minimal maintenance

  • Extremely easy to work

  • Lightweight, yet strong

 

Anodised aluminium

The anodising of aluminium involves an electrochemical procedure. The metal is coated with a layer of oxide under controlled circumstances, rendering it impervious to chemical substances and protecting it from mechanical wear and tear (scratches) and corrosion. This process guarantees the outstanding quality of aluminium in interior applications.

 

Aluminium frames

During the extrusion process aluminium billets are cut, heated and pushed through a mould into profiles.

The use of aluminium profiles has numerous advantages:

  • They can be moulded into an almost infinite number of shapes.

  • Various functionalities can be integrated into aluminium profiles (e.g. hooks, eyes, grooves).

  • Aluminium has a very good weight/strength ratio. Extrusion gives aluminium extra strength precisely where it is needed most.

  • Decorative surface treatment is possible.

  • Aluminium profiles are easy to process (cutting, machining, CNC applications, etc.).

  • They are easy to install.

  • They are ideal for creating system solutions.

 

Laminate

Laminate is a multi-layered material that is used for the finishing of wooden panels. 

Aside from the variations in colour, laminate also offers a wide range of wood or other textures.

Advantages:

  • Maintenance-friendly

  • Water-resistant

  • Scratch-proof

 

Safety glass

Safety glass is often called sandwich glass because of its composition. To make safety glass, two or more sheets of glass are alternately combined with one or more layers of plastic (polyvinylbutyral or PVB), which are inserted between the sheets of glass resembling a sandwich. This process offers a remarkable degree of resistance, adhesion and elasticity.

Special PVB can also be used in order to achieve a specific aesthetic effect.

The assembly of the glass and the intermediate layers results in an extremely resistant and compact product. Should the glass accidentally break, the shards will be kept in place by the layer in between the sheets of glass - the shards remain fixed to the plastic intermediate layer, as it were.

 

Acid-etched glass

Acid-etched glass owes its matte finish to an acid treatment during the manufacturing process.
A highly corrosive substance is sprayed onto the glass under high pressure, or an acid is applied to the surface of the glass.
This gives the glass a translucent, silky appearance.

Advantages:

  • Privacy-enhancing

  • Low-maintenance (better than sandblasted glass)

  • Offers some protection from heat and sunlight

 

Toughened or tempered glass

Toughened or tempered glass is float glass that has been treated to give it a high degree of mechanical and thermal resistance.

First, the glass is heated to 600°C. It is subsequently cooled down using a carefully controlled procedure in terms of speed. This process exposes the surface of the glass to permanent compression pressure, which gives the glass its unique properties.

In the event of breakage, the glass will crumble into tiny shards without any sharp edges, thereby considerably reducing the risk of injury.

 

Plexiglas®

Plexiglas® allows approximately 90 per cent of light to pass through and is therefore often used as a substitute for glass due the various advantages this offers:

  • Lighter

  • Does not shatter 

  • Can easily be produced in infinite shapes and forms

  • Lets more light through than conventional glass

Plexiglas® is used in applications where advantages can be obtained with regard to weight in relation to glass and also offers substantial advantages in terms of transparency.

Wood finish (HPL)

HPL (High Pressured Laminate) is a process in which various layers of plastic are compressed. This results in a shock-resistant and maintenance-friendly finish that can be produced in numerous colours and textures. This finish is also resistant to wear, discolouration, heat and moisture. HPL is available in almost an infinite variety all wood types.

 

Printed panels

In addition to the numerous possibilities offered with regard to materials and appearance, our panels can also be printed with the pattern of your choice through the application of special printing techniques. Patterns can be printed on sheets of plastic (the most commonly used method) or on glass, and even on technical textiles.

Typical applications are photo prints, in which an image (or another design) is printed onto a surface in high resolution.

There are various techniques that can be used for this, such as print on a sheet of laminated foil, applied directly on to glass, cut letters, etc. These can be used for permanent as well as temporary purposes, such as trade fairs.