EPDM gaskets for aluminium windows
UV-resistant EPDM rubber gaskets help aluminum-glass doors and windows close tightly, keeping out wind and rain, reducing outside noise and helping save energy for air conditioning.
A quality aluminum-glass door or window is about more than the aluminum profile and the glass. The gasket is a small component, but it determines whether the unit stays sealed after a few years of use. Low-quality gaskets shrink, harden and crack, leaving gaps along the frame.
Why EPDM is the standard material
EPDM is a synthetic rubber with a saturated backbone, which gives it excellent resistance to ozone, UV and weathering. The material stays elastic from -40 °C to about 120 °C, making it well suited to Vietnam's hot, humid and sunny climate.
- Typical hardness of 60 to 75 Shore A for glazing gaskets, and EPDM sponge for sash gaskets.
- Low compression set helps the gasket maintain sealing pressure over the long term.
- Contains no volatile plasticizers like low-cost PVC gaskets.
- Good compatibility with the silicone sealants used in window and door installation.
Types of gaskets on a door or window unit
Glazing gaskets
Compressed between the glass pane and the aluminum frame, they hold the glass in place and seal it. The gasket must fit the aluminum groove precisely: not so hard that it is difficult to install, and not so soft that it is easily pushed out.
Sash and frame gaskets
These seal the gap between the sash and the frame when the unit is closed. They are typically EPDM sponge or a dense-sponge combination, sealing well without making the unit heavy to open and close.
Many homeowners complain that their aluminum-glass doors whistle in the wind or collect water at the bottom, and when we inspect them, the cause is almost always gaskets that have hardened or corners that were not properly joined. — AMS Project Sales Engineer
Sound insulation and energy savings
Units with well-sealed gaskets combined with insulated glass can reduce noise by 25 to 35 dB, a noticeable difference for apartments near major roads. Cool air loss through gaps is significantly reduced, so air conditioners run less and monthly electricity costs go down.
Installation notes
Gaskets should be cut slightly oversize and inserted without stretching to prevent shrinkage from opening gaps at the corners. Corner joints should be bonded with a specialized adhesive or use pre-molded corner gaskets.
For maintenance, simply wipe the gaskets with mild soapy water and avoid strong solvents that cause rubber to swell. If a gasket has hardened, lost its elasticity or cracked, replace it around the entire sash perimeter rather than patching sections, to ensure uniform sealing. Applying a thin coat of silicone-based rubber conditioner each year also helps gaskets stay supple longer.
Contact AMS Vietnam to receive the catalog and samples of EPDM gaskets for popular aluminum-glass window and door systems.
