Facing the challenge

By John McComb, director of technical services, Reynaers.

There has been a seismic shift in the energy sector in the past 20 years, as focus moved to creating more energy efficient products and helping to reduce the impact of global warming.

The challenge for Reynaers was to look at our current product offering, assess the market demands and adapt our products to meet new legislation. The four key areas we focused on were design, product development, software development, and staff and customer training and knowledge.

The year 2002 marked a pivotal moment in the industry. For example, the revision of Part L of the Building Regulations saw a reduction in the average indicative Uw value for windows from 3.3W/m2k to 2.2Wm/2k. This signalled a change that has been driven by the government, and we’ve been regularly challenged since then with further amendments to Part L in 2006, 2010, 2013 and 2016.

Since 2002, thermal performance has become an industry driver, particularly in relation to new ideas, design, concept and overcoming new challenges. In fact, thermal efficiency is now at the forefront of our design criteria.

When legislation was revised, further product innovation was encouraged. The main challenge for Reynaers was the use of aluminium and embracing technologies that incorporate polyamide thermal breaks, as well as multiple other insulation technologies. In response to these challenges we developed more complex thermally efficient polyamide sections in window and door design. Furthermore, Reynaers’ most recent innovations have also explored how we can use other materials, aside from aluminium, for example, using alternative materials within open cavities. This helps to further improve the energy efficiency of our products.

Alongside product innovation, we have embraced new technology, including the use of Finite Element Analysis (FEA), used to create product thermal calculations. This has helped us in two ways. Firstly, from a product design and development perspective, and secondly, through the delivery of these products. These new technologies and product designs are reflected in our new MasterLine product range, which has been designed with low energy buildings specifically in mind. Through new product design, Reynaers has demonstrated to the market that we are achieving our values, from using current material groups to adapting and improving our product offering.

State-of-the-art software also continues to drive our product performance levels with our offering now holding BFRC WER ratings to demonstrate this performance. The BFRC WER accreditation (or DSER for doors) is the premium UK authority for thermal efficiency rating. Reynaers has used these ratings to further reinforce our commitment to high quality, high performance products.

We have also installed a BFRC simulator on our site, which is used largely in the residential sector. It shows compliance on thermal values, for example UW value (window) or UF value (window frame).

While manufacturers need to meet new industry regulations, it’s also important that we continue to educate the market, Reynaers staff, and our customers about thermal performance.

Alongside developing new technology and energy efficient products, Reynaers has invested in CPD material. For example, we have created modules that analyse thermal performance, which we use to work with our main developers, contractors, architects and internal staff.

Our recent efforts are in line with the increasing demands on industry sectors to find innovative ways to slow down the effects of global warming and increase energy efficiency. This has presented multiple challenges for companies to create and improve their product ranges, while meeting new industry regulations.

Reynaers is at the forefront of designing and manufacturing energy efficient products. We have embraced new market challenges and continued to push the boundaries of our product designs. The result is that we have created one of the most comprehensive ranges of portfolios in the aluminium sector.