MMC 52pp M10 WEB

ARTICLE
Fresh light on commercial
window technology
New generation, high performance window composites are the first real aluminium
alternative, says Deceuninck UK Managing Director Rob McGlennon.
Deceuninck MD
Rob McGlennon
Deceuninck has an impressive
portfolio of commercial projects
Windows are key building elements,
providing natural light, protection from
the elements and ventilation. They
also have great architectural importance –
helping to define the overall character of a
building and creating visual interest.
Innovations in window technology give
developers and specifiers of commercial
properties – both newbuilds and refurbishments
– an expanding menu of window and door
options combining architectural elegance with
high-performance solutions.
While aluminium has attracted architects
because of its strength, durability and colour
options, its place in the commercial sector is
now being challenged by advances in an exciting
new pultruded glassfibre-PVC-U composite
material. This immensely strong material makes
windows that can match aluminium for
appearance and performance, at significantly
lower cost. Aluminium is priced with a premium
because of the high energy costs in its extraction
and production.
Architects’ negative perceptions of all things
PVC-U were mostly formed by early PVC-U
windows and doors which were energy efficient
and low cost, but chunky, limited in scope - even
with the required steel reinforcement - and
almost exclusively ‘shiny’ white.
Best in class PVC-U windows and doors are a
long way removed from those early dinosaurs,
and systems companies like Deceuninck are
continuing to invest in new technology.
Our latest Linktrusion TM composite technology
moves the needle in a major way. Linktrusion TM
composite profiles are as strong as steel and as
slender as most aluminium. In fact, its great
strength makes it suitable for tall windows and
large doors (single, up to 1100 x 2500). It’s 30%
more thermally efficient than steel-reinforced
windows and saves up to 40% on materials and
weight. What’s more, with Deceuninck’s
proprietary Decoroc coating it’s available in any
colour, and is fully recyclable.
Linktrusion TM technology flows from a €4
million, 30-month research and development
programme. The patented technology is the
backbone of the ‘5000’ window system, which
incorporates immensely strong pultruded glassfibre
in the profiles, plus optional patented
thermal reinforcement with embedded steel
wires in a low-density insulating foam core
encased in recycled PVC-U for excellent U-
values.
The technology has been specified recently by
developers including Crest Nicholson, Catalyst
Housing, Countryside Properties and Berkeley
Group.
We design window systems and produce the
PVC-U profiles which fabricators turn into siteready
units. Our systems are engineered with
perfect symmetrical balanced sightlines for
aesthetics, and fully #CommercialEnabled with
all our system details in BIM Library.
The unique Decoroc colour finishing system,
developed for commercial applications, creates
the effect of powder coated aluminium and is
available in countless colour options.
In one of numerous commercial projects where
our products have been selected over
aluminium, Dempsey Dyer, working with
contractor Bouygues supplied 700 Deceuninck
2500 chamfered series windows and 150 Slider
24 patio doors for the Alexandra Wharf
apartments in
Southampton’s
Ocean Village.
Dempsey Dyer also
installed 1,100 frames
in Imperial College
London’s high rise
Woodward Building
complex, housing
590 students. This
was a technically
demanding project
with complex
requirements for
aesthetics, weather
performance,
acoustics, safety and durability. Our window
ticked all the boxes, meeting the original
specification for aluminium with the same
performance and aesthetics, while saving 30%
on the overall cost of windows.
Other significant commercial projects include
Trafford House, Basildon (4,500 apartments)
Hinkley Point staff accommodation (1,400
apartments) and Oakgrove Housing, Milton
Keynes where Crest Nicholson specified
Deceuninck’s 5000 series incorporating
Linktrusion TM technology to meet the exacting
performance requirements for the project.
We aim to develop strong, close relationships
with commercial partners to help them meet
project specifications, and our technical support
team is available to help with complex issues
such as weather performance, energy efficiency
and acoustics. At Hinkley Point, for example,
high-performing acoustic windows were
required to meet the stringent dB reduction
levels on site.
Commercial developers increasingly demand
high standards of acoustic performance to
reduce the impact of noise pollution. So, working
in partnership with specialists at the University
of Salford, we are investing in systematic
acoustic testing of our full range. We
understand, Deceuninck is the first PVC-U
window systems company to do that. We have
already completed tests on our 2500, 5000 and
the #BestInClass Fully Reversible Window (FRW)
ranges.
Call 01249 816 969 or visit www.deceuninck.co.uk
for more about our commercial range and
commercial work. You can also download
Deceuninck’s full product portfolio from the NBS
National BIM Library at
www.nationalbimlibrary.com/deceuninck-ltd.
www.deceuninck.com
Deceuninck windows with Linktrusion TM technology
were specified for the Oakgrove Housing development
50 MMC
Nov 2018 M10