A Window Into Aluminium

SENIOR’S CENTRAL ROLE IN UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING’S NEW CAMPUS PROJECT

Leading aluminium fenestration solutions provider Senior Architectural Systems has delivered its third contract for the University of Stirling, following the completion of the University’s new Campus Central development.

Designed by Page and Park architects, the new scheme marks the University of Stirling’s largest ever investment in its infrastructure and sees the creation of a multi-functional community hub which brings together student services, study areas, cafés and social spaces. The building features a variety of aluminium fenestration systems from Senior, including its slimline SF52 aluminium curtain wall system and patented low U-value PURe® aluminium windows, which have been fabricated and installed by supply chain partner Marshall Brown for main contractor Robertson Construction.

Senior’s fenestration systems have been previously used on both the University of Stirling’s new state of the art sports centre, which opened in 2020, and the INTO Centre, an international student facility which was constructed in 2017. The new Campus Central building has helped further improve the University’s impressive facilities, with the stunning three-storey building benefiting from a landscaped courtyard and glazed facades which frame the breathtaking views of the surrounding scenery. Located next to Airthrey Loch, the building is also flanked by the beautiful Ochil and Campsie Hills. The sleek, aluminium frames of Senior’s SF52 curtain wall system complements the use of granite rainscreen and light grey stone cladding, and floods the interior spaces with natural light. The thermal performance of the SF52 curtain walling has also been enhanced with the use of Senior’s low U-value PURe® aluminium windows throughout. Senior’s PURe® aluminium window system has the potential to achieve U-values as low as 0.73W/m2K when calculated as a commercial CEN Standard window.

For durability, safety and security Senior’s robust SPW501 aluminium commercial doors, certified to both PAS24 and Secured by Design standards, were also installed at all entrances to cope with the expected heavy footfall. For more information please visit www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk or search for Senior Architectural Systems on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

SENIOR HELPS BUILD THE ARC

Leading aluminium fenestration solutions provider Senior Architectural Systems is continuing to make a name for itself in the leisure sector after completing work on the new Arc Cinema in Daventry.

The new cinema’s welcoming frontage has been created using a combination of Senior’s thermally-efficient slimline SF52 aluminium curtain wall system, alongside the company’s robust SPW5021 aluminium commercial doors and stylish low U-value PURe® SLIDE doors. Designed to offer the perfect balance between daylighting and thermal comfort, Senior’s fenestration package was fabricated and installed by supply chain partners Acorn Aluminium for main contractor Willmott Dixon.

The cinema has been designed by Marchini Curran Associates and the extensive use of glazing floods the main entrance, restaurant and bar areas with natural light during the day, and creates a show-stopping effect at dusk. The dark grey powder coated frames of the doors and curtain wall systems also perfectly complement the exterior façade design of grey and white cladding with feature multicoloured panels. The new Arc cinema in Daventry has been created as part of the wider £12.5m regeneration of the town centre. Senior has played significant roles in other cinema projects over the last few years, delivering the aluminium fenestration packages for the new Savoy cinema complex in Doncaster as well as completing work for the national chain Everyman. For more information please visit www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk or search for Senior Architectural Systems on Twitter,LinkedIn and Facebook.

WINDOW WAREHOUSE READY TO HELP CUSTOMERS GET INTO ALI

With signs that consumer confidence is starting to waver in the wake of the war in the Ukraine, the ending of the energy price cap and the rise in inflation, pressure is understandably growing on fabricators to help their installer customers target and exploit new sales opportunities.

Quick out of the blocks is Portsmouth based Window Warehouse, which is using its expanded AluK aluminium fabrication set up to support customers who want to target the potentially more resilient aluminium end of the market. Operations Director Remi Cake says that while the mainstream white PVC-U casement market may be squeezed by the tightening of household budgets, he expects demand for the company’s aspirational AluK bifolds, sliders and Heritage style windows to continue amongst higher earners and those who accumulated significant savings during the pandemic. Window Warehouse switched its aluminium fabrication exclusively to AluK in 2017 and its success since then prompted it to invest in a new dedicated manufacturing facility this year alongside its existing PVC-U operation, so that it now occupies an extensive 21,400 sq ft facility. This has been equipped with the very latest Elumatec CNC machining SBZ122 machining centre and DG104 double mitre saw and includes one line fabricating just the perennially popular AluK BSF70 bifold. Remi Cake explains: “We supply trade customers right across the south of England, many of whom are operating in those affluent south coast towns which are likely to be relatively shielded from the impact of rising costs. We saw a huge rise in demand for our AluK range during the pandemic and we’ve expanded capacity and stepped up our output so that we can continue to grow and help even more customers make the move into aluminium with us.” AluK has supported Window Warehouse throughout its 5-year journey with them. As well as consistent supply levels, this has included extensive technical advice and access the AluK’s G-Award winning marketing hub. Remi Cake adds: “We chose AluK in 2017 primarily because of the quality of the system but also because of the high level of brand recognition amongst consumers. That definitely helps our installers to win business, particularly when it’s all backed up with AluK’s stylish and high-quality marketing support.” Window Warehouse is a long-established business, still run by the family that founded it in 1986. It combines traditional family values in terms of customer service and attention to detail with a highly efficient manufacturing operation. Barcode scanning is in place throughout its factory for full product traceability and customers can utilise online quoting and ordering tools. Russ Cusworth, AluK’s National Sales Manager, is backing the company’s efforts. He says: “Window Warehouse is absolutely right that the biggest opportunities in 2022 are likely to come in aluminium. We’ll be supporting the team with their ambitious plans and very much looking forward to helping them make waves in the market.”

ALUMINIUM’S

THERMAL CREDENTIALS

There are some that think aluminium framed windows will not be able to meet the thermal demands of the upcoming changes to Document L of the building regulations. Whilst it’s fair to say that the proposed changes in 2025 do pose a challenge, not just for aluminium, membership feedback at our recent Spring Forum confirms that our systems company members are already prepared.

SO WHY MAKE WINDOWS OUT OF ALUMINIUM WHEN THE MATERIAL CLEARLY HAS NO THERMAL INSULATION CHARACTERISTICS OF ITS OWN?

Aluminium is virtually 100% recyclable, not just once but many times over. Since its commercial availability in the 1880’s, 75% of all aluminium produced is still in active service today. The current scrap value of aluminium is almost that of new aluminium as the material is in such demand, indeed there is only enough scrap aluminium available to meet 50% of our current needs for the material. Aluminium alloy can be provided in a wide range of ‘grades’ which offer unique characteristics for a wide range of uses in transport and packaging as well as in construction.

Structurally, aluminium in 6060 or 6063 grade offers a high strength to weight ratio, allowing for slim frame profiles to be utilised whilst ensuring a high visible glass to frame ratio. This is achieved without additional structural components being added to the material.

Together with its recyclability credentials and its structural capabilities, a further consideration in its use in fenestration is the surface finish that it can carry. Anodised or powder coated, these finishes are some of the most sustainable finishes that can be applied to any architectural products, often lasting the lifetime of the building itself. No wonder other fenestration materials can be seen using an external skin of aluminium in order to take advantage of these capabilities.

SO, TO THERMAL INSULATION, HOW IS THIS ACHIEVED?

Clearly a ‘thermal break’ is needed within the aluminium profile to introduce a thermally efficient frame design, this is achieved basically in two ways, a ‘pour and set’ or a ‘roll-in profile’. The majority of thermal breaks used today are profiles of polyamide, a glass reinforced nylon, these offer excellent structural rigidity combined with thermal efficiency. There are also various polyurethane ‘pour and set’ systems in use as well, which offer excellent thermal characteristics.

Possibly the highest frame U values that can be achieved are tested and recorded by the independent Passivhaus Institute. Aluminium systems are shown on their website achieving frame U value as low as 0.7 using polyamide thermal breaks, clearly demonstrating that aluminium profiles can achieve excellent thermal insulation characteristics. Whilst these systems seem extreme for this years’ changes to Document L, they do demonstrate what is achievable as we move towards ‘zero carbon’ homes. Simply put, current aluminium framed systems for use in commercial and residential applications will continue to evolve to meet pending legislation. Whilst frame insulation is a critical factor in the compliance stakes, cold bridging around the frame to the opening reveal also plays a big part in enabling the installed window to achieve its claimed U value. In fact LETI, (the London Energy Transformation Initiative) state that much of the thermal benefit of fitting a new replacement window can be lost by not considering the likely cold bridging where the window meets the reveal.

Phil Slinger - CAB Chief Executive

It is clear to see that members of the association are working towards the uplift of thermal insulation values for all systems to meet or exceed the requirements of Document L being implemented this year. Installer members are also reviewing their installation methodologies to include improved thermal efficiencies around the reveal by introducing new materials and techniques. As an Association, CAB will continue to support and communicate new methodologies to ensure aluminium remains at the forefront of thermal efficiency in the fenestration market.

Based at the picturesque Bonds’ Mill development in Stonehouse, CAB staff are always on hand during normal working hours to answer any membership, training or technical aluminium fenestration related questions. News and event information is regularly updated on the CAB website at www.c-a-b.org.uk and also in the Association monthly ezine ‘A Window Into Aluminium’ which is free to sign up to. If you are not a member of CAB and wish to learn more about membership, please contact Jessica Dean at the CAB offices by email jessica.dean@c-a-b.org.uk or telephone Jessica at the office on 01453 828851. by Phil Slinger - CAB Chief Executive