Heating & Ventilation

Doors & Windows Industry first as Deceuninck joins

BFRC noise reduction scheme

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eceuninck Managing Director Rob McGlennon said: “Noise pollution is a growing problem. There is mounting medical evidence of the severe impact of prolonged noise on people’s health, with higher instances of dementia, heart disease and strokes. In lockdown there was a huge reduction in road traffic and it reminded us how peaceful life is without excess noise.

“But with the right tools and technical innovations the window industry can improve people’s homes and wellbeing. BFRC’s Noise Reduction Rating scheme is an important development in helping to cut the impact of noise pollution, and we are delighted to be the first systems company to join this scheme. Deceuninck understands the positive impact acoustic windows have on people’s health and overall quality of life, and we’ve invested in systematic acoustic testing of our full product range. “Much like energy rated windows, the scheme will let homeowners choose windows that cut noise and improve their home environment. We’re really excited by this chance to make a difference and make it simpler for fabricators and installers to benefit from this huge opportunity.”

Demonstrating its commitment to cutting noise pollution, Deceuninck is the first window systems company to sign up to BFRC’s new Noise Reduction Rating scheme. The scheme is designed to help systems companies and fabricators demonstrate the acoustic performance of their products. Using BFRC’s recognisable and well-regarded ‘rainbow’ label, it gives manufacturers a clear sales advantage and makes it easier for homeowners to understand the acoustic benefits of their new windows.

Lis Clarke, Operations Director for BFRC, says she is delighted that Deceuninck has chosen to become an early adopter of the Noise Reduction Scheme: “In discussions with Deceuninck it became clear early on that they had been looking for a system that would measure the acoustic performance of their windows. When we presented the details to Rob and his team they did not hesitate in signing up to ensure their products were the first to be able to demonstrate this increasingly important performance criterion for homeowners. For many homeowners, noise reduction is as important as energy performance.”

For further information on the Noise Reduction Rating Scheme visit www.bfrc.org. Learn more about Deceuninck by visiting www.deceuninck.co.uk and following @DeceuninckUK.

doors & windows First impressions count

The impact of a front door on a home’s kerb appeal

September 2020 was a month of records for the UK housing market. The stamp duty holiday triggered the highest number of residential property sales ever agreed in a month. When selling or looking to purchase a house, first impressions really do count. Here, Nick Cowley, managing director of leading window and door manufacturer Euramax, explains the impact of a carefully selected front door on a home’s kerb appeal.

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omes are selling faster than ever before in the UK. The average time to sell is 50 days quicker than any previously recorded figure, according to a report by real estate website Rightmove. In such a saturated market, it’s vital that a property stands out, for the right reasons.

In the initial stages of selling a property, the exterior appearance holds great importance: the front exterior shot of a home typically takes centre stage on online listings and many prospective buyers will make an informal driveby visit before requesting a viewing. With such a great focus on the home’s exterior, maximising kerb appeal is a crucial element of a successful exchange.

there for years to come, the front door is commonly regarded as a property’s focal point, connecting the inside with the outside. It should reflect the personality of the home, and can provide a subtle hint towards the interior décor inside the property. Selecting a front door that successfully achieves this requires three key decisions: colour, material and design.

Colour choice

A front door’s colour is ultimately down to personal preference, but there are a few essential considerations that should be made when creating a stand-out first impression. The goal is to radiate a welcoming feel, which can be reached either by adding a new colour or by maintaining the property’s existing colourway.

One of the most popular colours to add to a property is a pale green. Inspired by nature, this hint of colour subtly matches any surrounding foliage. This promotes a view of the house and its garden as a single entity, helping the home to blend in with its exterior environment.

Alternatively, neutral shades bring a classic and sophisticated style to any property. Recent years have seen a rise in the popularity of grey interiors, so selecting a grey front door complements the interior décor and sets the tone of what’s to come if you were to enter through it.

It’s also worth taking the style of the property into account, to ensure the door colour helps rather than hinders the home’s aesthetic appeal. For example, dark colours such as Anthracite grey may be too bold for ornate period homes, but the perfect fit for a modern or Tudor-style property. Considering all these points in advance gives homeowners some creative freedom with their door colour, without compromising on style.

Material matters

Material is not only key to a door’s aesthetics, but also its functionality. Meeting a door’s aesthetic goals should not come at the expense of performance. Ultimately, a front door must provide security without sacrificing energy efficiency, so material choice should support these performance objectives. A traditional material choice would be timber, thanks to its timeless look and customisability. There are many types of wood to select from and it can be painted any colour. However, timber comes with its downsides. Repeated exposure to harsh weather conditions can cause warping and peeling, hampering the door’s insulating properties and demanding periodic maintenance.

PVCu is another material option, which outperforms timber on energy efficiency and maintenance. PVCu doors have a smooth finish that is naturally insulating and weatherproof, requiring minimal maintenance. Contrary to popular belief, PVCu doors are now available in a range of colours, including Anthracite grey and Chartwell green. Their sleek, clean appearance makes PVCu doors an ideal option for modern properties.

However, the modern appearance of PVCu may look out of place on a traditional property, while timber doors may not meet all the performance goals. Composite doors combine the benefits of different materials to offer maximum security, unrivalled energy efficiency and virtually zero maintenance. With a variety of colour choices and the option to add a woodgrain effect, composite doors are suitable for any home, whatever its style.

Design details

Having decided on colour and material, it’s important to think about the door’s design. As with colour choice, homeowners should be mindful of their property’s architecture and ensure that their door is in keeping with the style.

The UK’s most popular four-panel door with two glass panels at the top and two solid panels at the bottom is a classic option that suits most properties. However, a modern property may benefit from a trendy design such as a door with four central glass square panels.

It’s also advisable to spend some time considering the door’s accessories. Every front door must have a handle and a letter box, but you may decide on additional features such as numbers or a door knocker. Traditional doors may suit gold fittings, whilst contemporary properties may better suit chrome hardware.

Euramax is a leading UK manufacturer PVCu and composite doors, which come in a range of colours with an array of customisable glass and accessory options. What’s more, our made-to-measure service allows us to offer bespoke products to meet any homeowners’ specific requirements.

Whether your contemplating selling or just want to improve your property’s exterior, the front door holds the key to success. Carefully selecting a door’s colour, material and design ensures that the door seamlessly fits with the property’s style, while allowing the home’s interior style to shine through, making the property stand out for all the right reasons.

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he architectural and building world is still moving fast and efficiently despite the challenges; and we are pleased to see all Steel Window Association manufacturing members and associate organisations continuing to be fully up and running. Sites are open and homeowners’ plans are coming to fruition.

Throughout the past few months, SWA has been the source of independent, comprehensive advice when members were busy trying to optimise and amend operations. We are still here to help so please do get in touch.

There are always good reasons why a manufacturer or associate should become a member of The Steel Window Association (SWA). As well as having access to the latest product developments within the industry, members also

Steel Window Association members are fully operational and we are here to help as always

Darren Lloyd, President of the Steel Window Association:

The New Year has got off to a start no one expected – so it does not seem right to holler Happy New Year as we always like to do. Yet, we do need to look forward with positivity and hope; and things will get better!

receive information from organisations such as The Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF) and the Construction Products Association (CPA). The GGF issues regular updates giving members guidance within the housing, construction and building maintenance industries – including the job retention scheme, small business grants, deferred VAT payments and business rates holidays. The SWA receives these updates and immediately forwards them to members.

AR Residence / DEDRAFT

Located in a densely populated, busy street close to the impressive town hall building in Walthamstow the existing terraced house dates back to the 1920s. With both neighbours having rear extensions (one being built concurrently to AR) the terrace features a hotchpotch of largely banal rear extensions tacked on over the decades.

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aving lived at the property for several years the creative clients – an illustrator and librarian asked DEDRAFT to extend and modernise their home to create a bold external aesthetic, differentiating the new additions from the multitude of other extensions that dominate the rear. They were, however, keen to retain the low-level boundary fences, maintaining neighbourly interaction and to enable the garden to feel less boxed-in and isolated.

Externally our client was keen to add a flourish of colour to bring contrast and warmth to the •16•

rear. Initially, an in-situ concrete plinth was cast to ground the new structure, and the concrete extruded out to form the patio finish. External concrete benches then project running along both boundaries, folding down to meet the patio finish.

Opting for a dusty green aluminum clad finish we wanted the facade to be more expressive, detailing a cladding system with an increased depth to the shallow generic standing-seam of typical metalcladding systems. This increased depth applies to vertical fins, the door opening as well as the slender parapet detail. This simple detail adds rhythm, exaggerating the depth that articulates the facade catching the light differently throughout the day. Aligned with the composite timber/aluminum window system the lacquered natural pine internal mullions add further depth to the external skin, working together with the exposed structural Douglas Fir roof joists. These joists slide unbroken across rooflight openings, casting shadows to the internal kitchen /dining space directing one’s view out over the rear garden.