March 2022

Building Regs
Continued from page 40
Designing a product from scratch
means other features can be added
“That’s based on a 4m x 3m bifolding door, and
able to meet the expected values in 2025.”
If a triple glazed unit was used to improve the
thermal performance, consideration would need
to be made for the extra weight placed on the
hardware.
“Most bifolding doors on the market have a
maximum weight of 100kg-150kg,” Wayne said.
“So, if you are going to put in triple glazing then
you are probably going to go over that maximum
weight, which is going to limit the size of the
door.”
He pointed out that the limiting factor is the
weight that the rollers can carry.
“With the Deceuninck system, the rollers are
designed to take 400kg, which is 200kg a leaf,”
he said.
“When we did the PAS 24 test, we submitted a
door that was 1.2m wide by 3m high – each leaf.
“This was purely to make sure that the doors can
cope with that sort of weight, effectively futureproofing
the door.”
Wayne argued that it was vital that door designers
had one eye on the future, because many limiting
factors could be introduced further down the line.
“We may be looking at acoustic/laminate glass in
the future, especially with security,” Wayne said.
“You are already looking at laminate glass being
“It’s a lot easier to
actually redesign
a new product,
especially since
people are looking for
slimmer sightlines and
better security”
installed in all doors.
“So, if you want to keep the size, and incorporate
a 62mm unit, then you need a heavy-duty roller
and hinges to cope with it.”
The unit is only one variable factor. Another is the
thermal break, with some suggesting that this
can easily be swapped out for a better thermally
performing alternative.
“Systems are tested with a particular thermal
break,” Wayne said.
“So, if you introduce a new thermal barrier, then
you have to go through the whole design and
testing procedure again.
“It’s a lot easier to actually redesign a new
product, especially since people are looking for
slimmer sightlines and better security.
“This aside, many older systems use barriers
that you can’t improve the thermal performance
of, whereas the Deceuninck Decalu88 Bi-Folding
Door uses an ABS system which is a lot stronger,
and can go up to 42mm should the need arise.”
Wayne believes thermal efficiency cannot be
retro-designed into existing systems, which is
why the Deceuninck Decalu88 Bi-folding Door
was designed from scratch.
This also allowed the company to design in other
features, such as the speed of installation and
the overall product quality.
“Everything on that door is Qualicoat Seasideguaranteed,
including the stainless-steel
hardware,” Wayne said.
“Another key feature is the pre-installed gasket.
You could probably save yourself 30-40 minutes
per door, simply because you wouldn’t have to
install the gaskets.
“With the Decalu88 you glaze each leaf in five
minutes.
“With older systems, it’s not just about the
thermal performance.
“Even if you could get them to meet the tighter
U-values, you’ve still got an old door. The Decalu
is a modern door with future variables in mind.”
Contact Deceuninck Aluminium:
01249 816 969
www.deceuninck.co.uk
@Deceuninck
42 TI MARCH 2022 PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST