doors, windows & glazing
Bearing in mind that PVC-U windows and doors are the cheaper option and can be configured to the highest thermal and design specification, it makes good business sense to keep PVC-U front of mind for future refurbishment work.
Made to last
Future-proofing is about maximising the whole-life value of products to address unpredictable, on-going change in an uncertain economic climate. The key to any refurbishment project is to specify products which help to future-proof houses for many years to come while meeting environmental, health and safety, and security regulations. With financial constraints top of the social housing agenda, thermal
performance, reduced maintenance schedules and durability are just some of the factors that must be considered, and PVC-U windows and doors have a significant role to play. The latest figures from The Department of Energy & Climate Change show fuel poverty affects 2.39 million homes in England alone. Given the scale of the issue, and in light of the limited resources available, social landlords have to address it with affordable solutions. Heat is chiefly lost through windows and doors, so they must be able to
retain temperatures in the home. To address this, PVC-U windows and doors can be made with thermal performance and energy efficiency in mind. They can be specified to achieve the lowest U-values and prevent valuable heat from escaping properties, in turn reducing fuel bills over time. Installing the best performing windows and doors will help limit the
negative effects of fuel poverty on a property, such as mould or damp problems caused by condensation, which are costly to thoroughly repair and can ultimately result in tenants’ ill health.
Choose wisely
By proactively combating fuel poverty in this way, landlords can also make significant headway in streamlining maintenance schedules. PVC-U windows and doors that help protect against the cold can soon recoup their initial cost, saving on unnecessary repairs. Future-proofing also goes beyond performance and considers aesthetics. PVC-U windows and doors now have mass visual appeal, and the latest durable designs can last for 35 years – the BRE life cycle – if properly maintained. Overall, it’s advisable to select a suite of PVC-U window and door products that satisfy technical and aesthetic demands. It is important for housing associations to make carefully considered choices when specifying PVC-U windows and doors for a specific application or project. Manufacturers regularly offer guidance to social housing clients to help them meet a specific brief in line with their business and tenant requirements – whether that’s value, sustainability, whole-life costings or changing the appearance of older homes. The rise in use of building information modelling (BIM) – a 3D-modelling
software that enables professionals to look at buildings and products as they would appear in reality – means it’s possible to ensure solutions are right for the aesthetics of a scheme before financial commitments are made. For refurbishment in particular, it’s advisable to work closely with a
profile manufacturer that can ensure everything from project planning and design down to product and supplier selection, to get the strongest return on investment, both long and short term.
Andrew Reid is commercial sales director at Profile 22.
36 | HMM January 2017 |
www.housingmmonline.co.uk
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