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The Origin Of Universal’s Universal Offering
Universal Trade Frames has strengthened its aluminium range with a new partnership with Origin, becoming an official reseller of internal and external...
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Getting Resi Right
To ensure the performance of architectural glazing matches the quality of the aesthetics, early engagement and careful planning in the design stages is essential, writes John McComb, the technical director of Reynaers Aluminium UK.
To deliver the performance standards that homeowners expect, a quality installation needs to be supported by accurate design to ensure a good fit. As a manufacturer of aluminium windows and doors systems there are common performance issues we see raised – and these could nearly always have been avoided through design diligence and early engagement with the manufacturer.
It matters
Getting it right first time does matter – more than ever in the current economic climate. Making the right choice of product, taking correct measurements and double checking the fit can make the difference between poor performance or in the worst case, having to reinstall a window or door. Above everything, a well-designed, quality installation will save time and expense.
Design accuracy
One of the most important considerations for the installation of new windows and doors is to measure and agree the sizes at the earliest stage as problems resulting from this not being done correctly continue to be an issue.
To get this right, a survey carried out by an installer or fabricator is essential for both PVC and aluminium, as once the product has been made, it’s made. While there may be scope to add profiles to make up the difference, getting the sizing wrong can be an expensive mistake to correct.
Plumb
With sizing checked and agreed, it is just as important that the fit is accurate. Work carried out to accommodate any window or door systems within the building needs to leave a space that is square and plumb to ensure a good fit. If this isn’t right, then it can create problems during installation – and ultimately with operation and performance.
Creating a comfortable environment
The quality of the fit also plays into the weather proofing of windows and doors. A silicone seal will typically be used in this regard and kept as small as possible to minimise how much is visible. It is important that customer expectations are managed at this point as a weather proofing seal will almost always be visible to some degree – and as an important component of the overall system cannot be compromised on.
Due to the nature of the seal, there is a chance that, for example, a 10mm seal could expand to as much as 15mm. This detail needs to be agreed on site so that it is factored into the design. Other considerations would be the use of an EPDM membrane as a weather seal in new build applications, in conjunction with an external silicone seal.
Tolerances
For aluminium frames the tolerance of the product must also be considered at the design stage, along with the weight, size and application. One such example is wind loads, which while relatively straightforward to calculate, are extremely important to get right – especially for larger units such as patio doors.
Drawing on the technical knowledge of the manufacturer will allow installers, fabricators and architects to get a full picture of how wind load can be accommodated. For example, in a sliding door situation, the strength of the interlock may be a concern in meeting wind load requirements. Reynaers has an experienced technical team to offer advice, such as widening the interlock or adding an additional section to reinforce the window on the exterior.
Early engagement
If there is one factor that will underline the performance of a window or door system, it is quality – both of the product and of the fit. Expertise should be in evidence at every stage of a project from the creation of the product to specification, through to fabrication and installation.
Early engagement with the manufacturer for support in the design and specification of windows and doors will deliver numerous benefits. Reynaers provides consistent support, offering product training for installers, on-site training and the use of specialist tools that offer a distinct advantage in fitting systems.
Simple changes at the design stage can have a major impact on the end result. To ensure windows and doors, look, perform and operate as expected diligence in this early stage is essential – which means early engagement with all parties. At Reynaers we offer the support that installers need to get it right, the first time.
Picture: You can get residential glazing projects, like those seen here, right first time with design diligence which includes involving the manufacturer of the profile system at an early stage.
Article written by John McComb, Technical Director, Reynaers Aluminium UK.
05th June 2025