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Future Homes Consultation – Get Involved
Epwin Window Systems has published a guide to the Future Homes Standard consultation document to help customers navigate the detail of the proposal –...
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Sliding On Future Homes?
Some suppliers will be hoping for a Future Homes Standard reprieve – a delay to allow for more time to develop products that will achieve the low U-values required. But that is unlikely according to aluplast’s Ian Cocken.
Despite Rishi Sunak reneging on some strategies, the Future Homes Standard (FHS) is too fundamental to the net zero 2050 target and to the goal of decent homes, for it to be tempered. The Standard has not been completely written yet but currently requires newbuild developers to demonstrate a 31% reduction in their carbon emissions from 2024. As a result, from 2025 it is expected that windows and doors in newbuild properties will have to achieve U-values of 0.8W/m2K or lower.
Lower values in demand
“While the standard will only affect newbuild homes, it is likely that the standard will have repercussions throughout the rest of the industry,” says Cocken, who is aluplast’s director of sales. “The cost of energy is still very high. We know that many homeowners see their windows as a straightforward and effective way of improving the thermal efficiency of their homes. If they know they can get lower than 1.4W/m2K, then they will want to.
“This will make sub-1.0W/m2K windows the norm and it will put pressure on window companies to offer that across their whole range.”
Other demand factors
Thermal efficiency is only one part of a bigger system of competing forces, Cocken argues, which includes design choice, weather performance and security. “It’s not unusual to see how developments in one area have a negative impact on another,” he says. “We avoid this trap at aluplast, creating products that create opportunities in all areas, not just one.”
Smart-Slide neo sliding door
Cocken adds: “A case in point is our new Smart-Slide neo sliding door. With Passive House levels of performance, making it FHS ready, this door immediately offers a route in for companies involved in newbuild, refurbishments and extensions.
“But we are also allowing PVC-U companies to compete alongside aluminium in terms of design reach and aesthetics.”
Smart-Slide neo has a contemporary minimalist design with slim sightlines and can achieve widths up to 6m and a height of 2.5m with just two panels, helping designers create desirable openings with limited visible profile.
Colour choice
Smart-Slide neo can be finished in smooth Anthracite grey via an Aludec foil that is designed to accurately replicate the look and feel aluminium. This finish is one of 40-plus colour options, which help to meet the current significant demand for colour from homeowners looking to create a contemporary look to their home.
Performance
“Smart-Slide neo doesn’t miss a beat on weather performance or security,” Cocken says. “Thanks to hardware from either Roto or Maco, rollers can accommodate individual sash weights of up to 200kg, while allowing the user to open and close the doors effortlessly.
“In the ‘fully locked’ position, a locking mechanism pulls the sash onto the frame and locks it on the meeting stile. This provides excellent performance for both air/water permeability, meeting BS6375 for weather tightness, while achieving PAS24 for security.”
Security
Cocken believes security is a key selling point for garden doors. He says: “Energy efficiency maybe high on the agenda in the lead up to the implementation of the FHS but security is an unmoveable concern. Suppliers lose out if this cannot be demonstrated.
“A PVC-U slider, achieving up to 6m-wide openings, while boasting security, thermal and weather performance, is practically unheard of.”
Suite spot
Cocken adds: “The colour options also help the Smart-Slide suite with our Ideal 70 and Ideal 4000 window systems. And with our flush casement and flush outward-opening door. homeowners and developers can achieve a suited appearance across a whole project with clean modern lines or heritage detailing, without having to turn to aluminium.
“Design wise, that’s a big win – but you are also ticking boxes for energy efficiency, price and sustainability thanks to our Ecotech profile, which utilises recycled PVC-U without compromising performance or aesthetic.
“Smart-Slide basically removes any concerns you may have regarding FHS, while allowing you to compete with aluminium at the high end,” says Cocken. “It is definitely a timely product and a product of the times.”
Picture: aluplast’s director of sales Ian Cocken says the company’s new PVC-U Smart-Slide neo sliding door meets the expectations of the Future Homes Standard and competes in quality, thermal and security terms with aluminium alternatives.
Article written by Cathryn Ellis
24th November 2023