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 <strong>MMC</strong> Nov 2018 <strong>M10</strong>
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