Gareth Parton, sales and marketing director of Kömmerling, explains why the WarmCore range of aluminium hybrid windows and doors is so well suited to the commercial sector, and how the company supports its commercial fabricators and installers.

Aluminium has long been a popular choice for windows and doors in the commercial sector. The inherent strength of the material coupled with good aesthetics has always given specifiers, housebuilders and commercial installers a solid solution for a wide range of projects.

But the commercial sector is under growing pressure to deliver even better energy efficiency and long-term durability. This requires highly engineered products, technical support and robust window and door systems that will stand the test of time. A secure supply relationship that delivers all of this and more has never been more critical.

One of the contributing factors driving improved performance is the Future Homes Standard (FHS), a significant piece of legislation for new homes that is due to come into force at the end of the year. With the policy aiming to deliver properties with 75-80% fewer carbon emissions compared to those built under previous regulations, the focus is on a fabric-first approach. Insulation and airtightness are key with the objective that new homes in the UK should be warmer, quieter and generate less carbon.

Best in class
The right windows and doors can play a big role in the overall energy efficiency of a home. Approved Document L of Building Regulations demands a U-value of 1.2W/(m2K) but some manufacturers can already do better.

WarmCore is proving increasingly popular in the commercial sector because it can deliver all the aesthetic benefits of aluminium, with the superior thermal performance of PVC-U thanks to its thermal core. The core provides 25% more thermal efficiency than other aluminium systems. With 44mm triple glazing WarmCore 70 can achieve a whole window u-value rating of 0.9W/(m2K). Its unique composite construction creates the most thermally efficient window in its class.

The quiet life
Sound insulation is another important item on the checklist for commercial projects. New homes on large new build estates particularly need to be well insulated to prevent noise pollution. WarmCore has been through acoustic testing to BS EN ISO 717-1 with the best result achieving a 45dB using acoustic rated triple glazing. We also conducted the same testing with a standard double-glazed option (4/20/4) where we achieved a 34dB, and with the inclusion of P1A laminate for security this improved performance up to 37dB.

The WarmCore range also offers flexibility for specifiers and housebuilders with a 70mm system for casement, flush sash and tilt and turn styles and a 76mm option with a 100% recycled core for tilt and turn windows, with glazing options up to 50mm and U-values down to 0.7 W/(m2K). Dual colour options allow for flexible design choices too, including the ability to have a foiled colour on one side and powder coated on the other.

Securing more contracts
Unique Window Systems is just one of our customers seeing enormous success with WarmCore in the commercial sector as aluminium operations manager of Unique, Mr Patel, explains: “WarmCore has been a revelation for us, helping us to secure a number of high-profile commercial contracts. We worked closely with the company to launch WarmCore 76 last year and have already seen this system building on the success of the rest of the range, with its U-value of 1.2 W/(m2K) as standard, meeting the requirements of Document L for new build properties.”

WarmCore is the perfect solution for commercial contracts. It has a proven track record of helping customers win high-end projects thanks to its compliance and certification in energy efficiency and noise attenuation, as well as its design flexibility and reliable supply chain. All of which will only become more important as government legislation continues to tighten and the deadline for the FHS draws closer.