The ALR F42 Vitraplan challenges the idea of what an industrial door should look like. Designed specifically for demanding architectural projects, it features a unique "offset" glazing system where the glass sits flush with the surface of the door, completely concealing the aluminium frame behind it.
The result is a spectacular, uninterrupted wall of glass that mirrors the clean lines of modern curtain walling. Whether installed on a flagship car showroom, a high-tech distribution centre, or a contemporary private residence, the Vitraplan delivers a seamless reflection that standard "framed" sectional doors simply cannot match.
Fascinating Interplay of Light
Available in two sophisticated tints—Grey and Brown—the glazing creates a dynamic interplay between reflection and transparency. During the day, the surface mirrors the sky and surrounding architecture; at night, it allows the interior lighting to spill out, turning the building into a showcase.
Despite its delicate appearance, this door includes all the heavy-duty safety features you expect from Hörmann, including their proven finger-trap protection between sections, ensuring safety matches style.
Key Specifications
- Design: Flush-fitting, concealed frame glazing
- Max Width: 6000 mm
- Max Height: 7500 mm
Thermal Performance Data
Calculated according to EN 13241-1 (Appendix B EN 12428) for a door size of 5000mm x 5000mm.
| Glazing Type | Standard U-Value | With ThermoFrame |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Double Pane | 3.2 W/(m²·K) | 3.2 W/(m²·K) |
| Optional Triple Pane | 3.1 W/(m²·K) | 3.1 W/(m²·K) |
- Description
- Application
- Specification
Hörmann ALR F42 Vitraplan: The Flush-Fitting Glass Façade
Exclusive Flush-Fitting Architectural Statement
The Hörmann ALR F42 Vitraplan is not just an industrial door; it is a moving glass wall. Unlike standard sectional doors where the glazing is recessed into the frame, the Vitraplan glazing is mounted flush with the surface. The result is a smooth, continuous curtain of glass that creates a sleek, high-end aesthetic for modern buildings.
This design eliminates the "stepped" look of traditional industrial doors, making it the ultimate choice for prestige projects where the door needs to integrate seamlessly with a glass curtain wall or storefront.
Engineering Excellence
The secret to this unique look lies in the specialised aluminium framework. The acrylic glazing panels are offset to sit flush with the profiles, hiding the frame structure almost entirely from the outside. The horizontal rails are finished in black (as standard) to blend with the panel spacing, creating a clean, uninterrupted rhythm across the façade.
Despite its delicate appearance, this is a robust industrial unit. The 42 mm aluminium profile provides the strength required for daily commercial use while maintaining full weather sealing and structural integrity.
Premium Architectural Applications
Because of its unique flush finish, the Vitraplan is frequently specified for:
- Flagship Car Showrooms: Where the glass door must match the high-spec glazing of the main showroom window.
- Corporate Headquarters: Creating an entrance that reflects a modern, professional brand image.
- Luxury Retail & Shopping Centres: Where visual clutter must be minimised.
- Private Hangars & Garages: For high-value collections where standard industrial doors look too utilitarian.
Opening Sizes and Performance
The Vitraplan can handle significant openings, with widths up to 6000 mm and heights up to 7500 mm. Even at these sizes, the door maintains its rigid structure and smooth operation, ensuring the flush alignment remains true over the lifetime of the product.
Glazing and Insulation
The door uses Hörmann’s high-quality Duratec glazing, which is extremely resistant to scratches and cleaning marks—essential for a door that is designed to be looked at as much as looked through.
- Standard Insulation: Double-pane glazing achieves a U-value of approx. 3.2 W/(m²·K).
- Enhanced Insulation: Optional triple-pane glazing improves this to approx. 3.0 W/(m²·K).
- ThermoFrame: For the best possible efficiency, adding the ThermoFrame seal reduces thermal bridging between the frame and the brickwork.
Operation and Safety
Given the premium nature of the product, electric operation is the standard configuration. This ensures a smooth, controlled motion that protects the glazing and mechanism from the jolts of manual handling. Industrial-grade operators with soft-start and soft-stop functions ensure the door closes gently every time.
Safety is not compromised for style; the door includes finger-trap protection, side guards, and spring-break devices as standard, fully complying with EN 13241-1 safety regulations.
Key Specification Summary
- Design: Exclusive flush-fitting glazing (creates a flat surface)
- Profile Depth: 42 mm aluminium framework
- Max Width: 6000 mm
- Max Height: 7500 mm
- Glazing: Duratec scratch-resistant acrylic (grey or clear tints available)
- Wind Load: Class 3 resistance
- Best For: High-end showrooms and glass-façade buildings
Where to Specify the ALR F42 Vitraplan?
The Vitraplan is a specialist product designed for buildings where the "industrial" look of a standard sectional door would clash with the architecture. In the UK, it is most frequently specified for projects that demand a continuous, high-gloss façade.
1. Flagship Automotive Dealerships
In the competitive UK car market, the showroom environment is a key part of the brand experience. Standard sectional doors create a visual "break" in the glass frontage. The Vitraplan offers a flush, reflective surface that matches the surrounding curtain walling, ensuring that whether the door is open or closed, the focus remains entirely on the vehicles inside.
2. "Grand Designs" Style Residential Projects
There is a growing trend in the UK for converting industrial units into luxury homes or building "industrial chic" new builds. For private garages housing classic car collections, the Vitraplan provides a sleek, modernist alternative to a domestic garage door. It offers the scale and reliability of a commercial unit but with a finish that complements contemporary zinc, render, or glass architecture.
3. Corporate Headquarters & Creative Studios
For design agencies, architectural firms, and tech companies based in converted warehouses or modern business parks, the entrance sets the tone. A Vitraplan door allows these businesses to maintain large-scale access for deliveries or equipment without sacrificing their professional image. The grey or brown tint options integrate particularly well with the anthracite grey aluminium window systems currently popular in British office design.
4. High-End Retail and Shopping Centres
On the high street or in retail parks, maximizing window display space is crucial. The flush glazing of the Vitraplan effectively turns the delivery entrance into an additional display window. It allows retailers to maintain a uniform "shop front" appearance across the entire width of the unit, rather than having a dead zone where the loading bay is located.
5. Exhibition Centres and Event Spaces
Venues that host weddings, conferences, or product launches need to be adaptable. The Vitraplan allows a venue to open up fully to the outdoors during summer events, but when closed, it looks like a permanent, high-quality glass wall rather than a temporary shutter, maintaining the premium feel of the interior decor.
| Performance Characteristics (EN 13241-1) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction & Quality Features | ALR F42 Vitraplan |
ALR F42 Glazing |
|
| Resistance to wind load (EN 12424) | |||
| Door without wicket door | 3 6) | 3 6) | |
| Water tightness (EN 12425) | |||
| Door without wicket door | 3 (70 Pa) | 3 (70 Pa) | |
| Air permeability (EN 12426) | |||
| Door without wicket door | 2 8) | 2 8) | |
| Acoustic insulation (EN 717-1) | |||
| Without wicket door (dB) | 23 | 30 1) | |
| Thermal Insulation U = W/(m²·K) 2) | |||
| Standard Glazing | 3.2 (3.4 4)) | 6.1 (6.1 4)) | |
| Optional Triple Glazing | 3.0 (2.9 4)) | – | |
| Optional Climatic / Double Panes | – | 2.7 / 3.8 | |
| Dimensions (mm) | |||
| Max Width | 6000 | 5500 | |
| Max Height 3) | 7500 | 4000 | |
| Material & Design | |||
| Profile Depth | 42 mm | 67 mm | |
| Anodised Aluminium Finish | ● | ● | |
| Flush Fitting Design | ● | – | |
| Side Door Matching | ○ | – | |
Key:
- ● = Standard
- ○ = Optional
- – = Not available
- 1) With optional double pane safety glass
- 2) For door size 5000 × 5000 mm
- 3) Height > 7000 mm on request
- 4) With optional ThermoFrame
- 6) Class 3 = 0.7 kN/m² (120 km/h)
- 8) Class 2 = 12 m³/m²h
