Innovation in motion for modern doors and windows

By Andrew Wilkins, business strategy manager, Winkhaus UK.

As homeowners prioritise performance, reliability, and usability, door and window hardware has become a decisive factor in the market’s evolution.

The 2025 Keystone Consumer Trends Report shows that customers now expect fittings that are not only stylish but also intelligent and durable. For fabricators and installers, this means hardware must withstand wear, frame movement, and environmental stress, maintaining airtightness and smooth operation for years.

Winkhaus continues to meet these demands with precision-engineered solutions that make modern fenestration effortless and future-proof. Among its latest innovations are PrimePort, AluPilot, and AutoLock AV4, each combining advanced engineering with real-world practicality.

AutoLock AV4: Adaptive performance

The award-winning AutoLock AV4 addresses thermal expansion issues that cause door misalignment. Requiring up to 70% less operating force, it maintains reliable locking and smooth operation across temperature shifts, reducing service calls and boosting accessibility. Extensively tested, AV4 enhances durability, ease of use, and customer satisfaction.

PrimePort: Meeting the sliding door surge

Sliding doors have overtaken bi-folds as the UK’s preferred patio solution, driving demand for systems that deliver smooth, reliable operation and slim, modern design. The PrimePort range, comprising tilt-and-slide (SK), retract-slide (AS), and lift-and-slide (HS) variants, offers modular, cross-compatible solutions across PVC-U, aluminium, and timber.

• PrimePort SK delivers compact, flexible tilt-and-slide functionality, supporting sashes up to 220kg with a simple 180° handle turn. Shared ActivPilot components simplify production and improve efficiency.
• PrimePort AS brings space-saving retract-slide design ideal for apartments, keeping the sash flush to the frame while supporting up to 250kg. Concealed components, soft-close options, and secure central locking make it ideal for urban projects.
• PrimePort HS handles sash weights up to 440kg for large openings and panoramic glazing. Its smooth lift-glide action, low-threshold options, and weather resistance combine performance with accessibility.

All PrimePort systems share common tooling and modular parts, streamlining fabrication and ensuring consistent quality.

AluPilot: Strength and simplicity for aluminium fabricators

The AluPilot platform redefines efficiency for aluminium windows, saving up to 10 minutes per sash during assembly. Supporting sash weights between 130kg and 300kg, it enables both surface-mounted and concealed hinge applications. The system is PAS 24-certified and includes Child Safety OBALKS restrictors tested to EN 13126-5. Quick adjustments, preassembly options, and Winkhaus’ technical support further enhance productivity and precision.

Built for real-world demands

From PrimePort sliding systems to AluPilot windows and the AutoLock AV4, Winkhaus continues to deliver hardware designed for performance, security, and longevity. With modular compatibility across its portfolio, including the XR6 high-security cylinder, the company’s innovation ensures modern doors and windows perform beautifully today and for years to come.

Winkhaus is a leading manufacturer of high-performance hardware systems, providing door locking solutions, window fitting systems, and certified fire door systems. The company also has built one of the largest banks of third party certified test evidence for composite and timber fire doorsets in the UK, underpinning the integrity and reliability of its products across the housing sector.

The AutoLock AV4 is the latest in Winkhaus’ renowned range of automatic multi-point locking systems, designed for durability, ease of use, and long-term performance.

The system has been recognised by the industry, winning Door Component of the Year at the National Fenestration Awards for two consecutive years, confirming its position as one of the most advanced and dependable locking solutions available today.