What are the benefits of fitting windows and doors as part of off-site construction programmes?
Over the years probably around 5% of the projects we have worked on have been off-site, so it’s still relatively low but those methods offer immediate advantages for window and door installation, most significantly by reducing the risks and costs associated with working at height.
The rule is the higher the build the greater the cost. If projects are being delivered in a factory environment, it doesn’t matter what storey you’re working on as part of that build, you’re always on the ground- high access doesn’t impact - and you instantly reduce your overhead.
Again, for the same reason windows and doors can also be fitted more quickly in pre-fabricated projects, making buildings weather tight sooner in the sequence, and allowing other trades to follow-on more effectively. This can contribute to time savings of up to 50% helping contractors to deliver within more demanding time frames.
Another advantage is that you’re operating in a weather tight environment. It allows us to plan and work with more confidence, knowing that we won’t be disrupted by the weather and that projects will be weather tight faster.
The other thing for us and our teams is that while where they’re placed in a factory environment, we’re immediately taking away a lot of the health and safety risks, particularly as mentioned, working at height. It’s still full PPE when you’re installing but it’s a lot easier to control.
Are there any downsides to installing windows as part of a prefabrication process?
Doors and windows will be set and adjusted as part of the installation process but will then be subject to movement during transport and installation, so require a second set of adjustments on site.
It’s also important to carry out checks to make sure sealant and fixings remain intact and in position aſter being craned into position on site.
When we install windows and doors as part of pre-fabrication programmes we tend to work to greater tolerances with a deeper EPDM around the windows and greater tolerances based on our understanding of off-site construction in the past.
You’re still applying the same general principles and need the same good coordination and communication between design teams but build in a little extra based on the understanding that your finished installation will be moved to site.
What does Deceuninck’s commercial window offer look like?
Deceuninck is one of a handful of UK window and door systems companies to already have the capability to deliver advanced levels of thermal performance.
Elegant its next generation window, for example, delivers a step change in performance achieving U-values as low as 0.8W/m2K.
Forming a key element of the systems company’s wider award-winning sustainability strategy the next generation fiberglass composite window system also delivers on aesthetics with contemporary minimalist features.
These replicate aluminium in an advanced, low maintenance and energy efficient, composite system and can also be combined with Decoroc, Deceuninck’s next generation finish, so fitted alongside aluminium products as part of dual- specification installations.
We’ve also recently built on our inline sliding door offer, with the launch of a new dedicated triple- track option TT24.
Manufactured as a dedicated single profile, it accommodates openings of up to 6m in a six-
pane configuration and almost 4.42.m in a three- pane option.
It’s fully Kitemark tested, including PAS24 2022 in a fixed and two-sliding sash configurations of up to 4420mm wide by 2280mm tall. and can also be manufactured in a Secured by Design specification.
Can MMC meet demand for new homes?
Figures from the Construction Skills Network (CSN), suggest a further 266,000 workers will be needed to meet projected UK construction demand by 2026, with carpenters, joiners and construction managers among the positions most in demand.
The reality is that we don’t have enough skilled workers to fill current vacancies, let alone future ones, so things have to change.
Off-site construction is part of the solution. It brings more control back to projects, improves quality, while deskills process.
There’s a lot of scope for MMC and offsite methods and we can see from cost, productivity and sustainability angles, there are many reasons why it’s right for a lot of projects. There are also other projects, those which are delivered on tight urban sites with limited access, which limit its reach.
What remains key across schemes is the right specification of product and delivery partners. With one of the UK’s most energy efficient window and door ranges and an extensive network of commercial window and door specialist manufacturers and installers, Deceuninck is here to help.
For more information call 01249 816 969, email
deceuninck.ltd@
deceuninck.com or visit
www.deceuninck.co.uk
Autumn 2024 M33 33
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