Design for performance
By Timothy James, national specification manager, Veka.
The evolving landscape of statutory requirements, technical standards and client-driven compliance frameworks may shape the construction industry, but when it comes to energy efficiency, meeting the minimum is not enough. The industry must move beyond compliance and start designing for performance.
When systems houses work to create the most energy-efficient product, we can outlay how a product is going to perform, but the benefits are lost from an energy efficiency point of view by it not being installed correctly.
It’s theory versus reality. Ensuring standards and factory testing can only go so far, the pressure to deliver performance rests with the skills of installers.
As an industry, it’s imperative that we work collaboratively to close the gap between how products integrate seamlessly into buildings to drive optimum performance.
Communication is key
If we consider a boiler system or other mechanical systems in a building, performance data is monitored, adjusted and fed back to inform future design. By contrast, once a product leaves the factory in the fenestration world and is installed, that’s usually the end of the story. While failures are typically recorded and dealt with, the success of a product and ease of installation can often be passed over.
This is where communication from all parties is key.
If we adopt a circular approach across the industry which takes feedback from every part of the supply chain, we could maximise the performance of window systems tenfold. Recording data from installation quality, in-use performance and even post-occupancy feedback should be fed back into future design decisions.
This would allow system houses, fabricators and designers to continuously refine products and specifications for each building type, ensuring what works in principle also works in practice
Knowledge sharing
Architects’ priorities are led by the consumer, prioritising performance and overall aesthetic appeal. But if we consider that by the time the housing developer is on site, cost often becomes the overriding factor because that’s where the profitability is.
All too often the priority of performance is lost by specifying an alternative. This disconnect leads to inconsistent outcomes – buildings that comply technically but underperform. This can be attributed to the knowledge gap around PSI values, thermal bridging and the impact of a product not being installed in line with the initial specification.
The solution? Early engagement between system houses and project teams can help bridge that gap. When performance objectives are embedded at the design stage and communicated clearly down the chain, the likelihood of substitution or shortcutting is reduced. Creating a shared understanding of why a specification has been chosen helps all parties appreciate the long-term benefits.
Innovation leads the way
Innovation already exists in our industry. Products such as Veka’s Omnia system are designed to far exceed current minimum standards, balancing thermal performance with aesthetics. The system’s seamless double flush design has been praised by homeowners and installers alike.
But without stronger emphasis on performance throughout the process, from design through to installation and to post-occupancy, even the best innovations risk being undervalued.
The key to building future-ready, energy-efficient homes and buildings? We need better collaboration, consistent feedback and entire supply chain training to champion performance in the same way we prioritise compliance.
