Canada’s First Passive House Certified Aluminum Window

How the Alumilex ALX2090 Earns PHI Certification and What It Means for High-Performance Construction in Canada

For architects, builders, and developers working on high-performance projects in Canada, sourcing a certified Passive House window has long meant looking abroad: to European manufacturers whose products are optimized for different climates, supply chains, and building traditions.

We took the initiative to change that.

Our ALX2090 fixed and operable window system has received Passive House component certification from the Passive House Institute (PHI), making it the first aluminum window in Canada to earn this designation. It is a milestone we have worked hard to reach, and one we believe matters for the entire Canadian construction industry.

What Is Passive House Certification?

The Passive House Institute, headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany, sets the world’s most rigorous voluntary standards for energy-efficient construction. PHI component certification is not self-declared; it requires independent thermal analysis and third-party verification.

For a window system to qualify, it must achieve:>

• A window U-value (UW) of 0.80 W/(m²K) or less
• A hygiene factor (fRsi of 0.70 or higher) confirming no condensation risk at interior surfaces
• A verified installed U-value (UW,installed) of 0.85 W/(m²K) or less

Our ALX2090 series achieves a UW of 0.79 W/(m²K), surpassing this threshold. It carries certification Component ID 2554wi03, classified at the phC efficiency level for cool temperate climates: the precise zone covering most of southern Canada.

The Engineering Behind the Performance

Achieving Passive House performance in an aluminum frame means solving a fundamental challenge: aluminum conducts heat efficiently, which is exactly what you don’t want in a high-performance window frame. We addressed this through three key technologies:

• Thermally broken frame: Aluminum profiles are separated by a polyamide thermal break (0.3 W/m·K), isolating the warm interior surface from the cold exterior.
• Aerogel-filled cavities: Frame cavities are filled with aerogel, an exceptional insulating material performing at just 0.016 W/m·K. This remarkable innovation significantly boosts the energy efficiency of the ALX2090 series, enabling Passive House-level thermal performance in an aluminum frame.
• Triple glazing: A 46.6mm glass unit paired with a Swisspacer Ultimate warm-edge spacer bar minimizes heat loss through the glass and at the critical glass-to-frame edge.

Together, these elements contribute to the building’s overall airtightness and deliver stable thermal comfort year-round, while retaining the durability and design flexibility that aluminum has always offered. We did not want to ask our clients to choose between performance and material quality. With the ALX2090 series, that compromise no longer exists.

What This Means for Your Projects

In a high-performance building, windows are often the most thermally vulnerable link in the building envelope, making window selection one of the most consequential choices in any Passive House or net-zero project.

We had three installation configurations validated by PHI:

• Exterior insulation (EIFS / ITE): UW,installed = 0.84 W/(m²K)
• Light wood frame: UW,installed = 0.85 W/(m²K)
• Wood stud construction: UW,installed = 0.85 W/(m²K)

For architects specifying PHI-certified components: the ALX2090 is a fully compliant, Canadian-manufactured option, independently verified and engineered for the building assemblies commonly used across Canada.

For builders and contractors: a domestically produced certified aluminum window simplifies sourcing, reduces lead times, and significantly reduces the building’s energy needs compared to conventional fenestration systems.

For developers targeting premium or sustainable positioning: PHI certification is a credible, independently verified performance claim. It contributes to sustainable, comfortable and functional construction with a measurably reduced carbon footprint, and aligns with where Canadian building codes are heading.

A Milestone We Are Proud Of

We have long believed that high energy efficiency and aluminum are not mutually exclusive. This certification is proof of that conviction. It also means that Canadian specifiers no longer need to look abroad for a certified aluminum solution.

As building codes across Canada continue their path toward net-zero-ready requirements, certified high-performance components will transition from niche specifications to standard expectations. We built the ALX2090 for that future, and we are ready to support your projects today.

To learn more about specifying the ALX2090 Certified Passive House series, contact our team in Montréal or Toronto, or visit alumilex.com