challenging conditions in Åland
Havsvidden is located on the outermost peninsulas of northern Åland, where buildings are highly exposed to weather and sea winds. The influence of the open northern sea makes the area a demanding yet striking place to build. Modern buildings without eaves, together with dark-toned windows and doors, are typical of the area. Combined, the harsh weather conditions and dark surfaces place significant strain on structures, especially windows and doors.
Aluminium-clad windows and terrace doors have performed very well in these demanding conditions. Conventional exterior doors with HDF surfaces, however, have been subjected to much heavier stress: their condition has deteriorated clearly in less than ten years. Dark colours, abundant sunlight, wind and rain, together with unprotected door and window structures, make the environment exceptionally challenging as seen in the picture.
Havsvidden has nearly 30 villas featuring windows and doors from several different manufacturers. Yet the challenges are similar: HDF-surfaced exterior doors fade quickly, and the glazing beads and door leaf structure do not remain intact. The issue is therefore not related to a single manufacturer, but to a structure that is placed under excessive strain by the local climate. Regular maintenance and repainting can extend the service life of the doors to some extent.
Replacing the exterior doors became timely at Havsvidden when the previous doors, supplied by another manufacturer, had reached the end of their service life.
“When I told customers that Skaala was developing a new kind of exterior door, Skaala’s aluminium-clad Aika door was eagerly awaited at Havsvidden,” says Skaala’s Johan Emretsson.
“We have now started replacing doors that are around 15 years old with new Skaala Aika doors. Customers are particularly pleased with the door’s sturdy feel, triple sealing and matt aluminium-coloured surface, which fits the surroundings very well. The 20-year warranty granted for the exterior surface has also received a great deal of positive feedback.”
Tested structure for demanding sites
Skaala’s Aika door is designed for conditions where the limits of a traditional exterior door are quickly reached. In northern climates, a door is exposed to major changes in temperature and humidity, and in open coastal locations such as Havsvidden, the strain is increased by wind, rain and salty sea air. When dark colours and modern architecture are added to the equation, the door structure is required to perform beyond the ordinary.
“The technical foundation of the Aika door lies in its wood-aluminium construction. The aluminium exterior surface protects the door from weather, sunlight and moisture, while the internal structure helps the door retain its shape in changing conditions. The rigidity of the door leaf is supported by laminated veneer lumber reinforcements, carefully selected materials and an insulated structure. Its 82-millimetre thickness and triple sealing reflect a structure where durability has been considered down to the smallest detail — without compromising on style,” says Sami Sälevä, who is responsible for door product development at Skaala.
The performance of the Aika door has been verified in tests carried out according to European standards. In wind load resistance, the door achieved class C4. This means that the door is designed to remain rigid and reliable even in strong winds: the door leaf retains its shape, the door closes smoothly and the seals remain effective. This is particularly important on seafronts, in tall buildings and in other exposed locations.
“The tested reliability is also reflected in watertightness and airtightness. The Aika door achieved class 4A for watertightness and the best possible class 4 for airtightness. These results support both living comfort and the long service life of the structures. A tight frame structure, triple sealing and carefully designed water management solutions reduce water ingress into the structures, while good airtightness helps keep warmth inside and draughts outside,” Sälevä explains.
One of the most important features of the Aika door is dimensional stability. It was tested through repeated temperature changes that simulate Finnish weather conditions and the strain caused by variations from heat to freezing temperatures. In the tests, the Aika door structure retained its shape better than the other doors tested. This is evident in everyday use: a door that remains straight seals correctly, closes precisely and requires less adjustment over years of use.
The benefits are also seen in energy efficiency and acoustic comfort. Good thermal insulation reduces heat loss and helps maintain a stable indoor temperature. The U-values of the Aika door are clearly below the Finnish reference level for exterior doors in new construction: the U-value of solid doors is 0.71 W/(m²K), while doors with glazing have U-values of 0.74–0.82 W/(m²K). In terms of sound insulation, the Aika door effectively reduces outdoor noise, with solid doors achieving 28 dB Rw+Ctr and glazed doors 31–34 dB Rw+Ctr.
In the Aika door, technical features form a complete solution that translates into reliable use year after year. The aluminium-clad exterior surface, robust frame structure, triple sealing and tested performance make the door a suitable choice for sites where more is expected from an exterior door. The Aika door is designed to look good and withstand the conditions where buildings are truly put to the test.
