With heritage-inspired, steel-look internal glazing systems enduringly popular with designers and consumers alike, Deceuninck Aluminium says its Encasa solution is a fuss-free and profitable way to tap into this fast-growing, design-led market.

With slim sightlines that maximise natural light and distinctive industrial charm, ‘Crittall-style’ internal glazing is one of the most popular interior design trends of recent years. From period properties to contemporary new-builds, homeowners and architects alike are embracing the look to create bright and flexible living spaces.

Dividing living areas without losing that open, airy feel, internal glazing provides a home’s occupants with areas to work, rest and play, often simultaneously, without interruption. By zoning the interior without opaque barriers, internal glazing allows daylight to flow while still providing separation and acoustic control.

“The open-plan concept is great because it lets light in and creates a bigger area for everyone to be together, but there are downsides to that when people want to do different things,” explains Terry Ledwith-Lyons, head of strategic sales, Deceuninck UK.

“Internal glazing systems remedy that by creating a ‘broken-plan’ interior. This divides the area, reducing noise and increasing privacy, without losing the light or the feeling of space.”

While many steel-look internal glazing systems deliver on aesthetics, for fabricators and installers, there can be challenges behind the scenes.
Deceuninck Aluminium’s steel-look internal door and partitioning system, Encasa, has been developed with direct input from manufacturers and fitters to simplify day-to-day production and installation.

Forming part of the wider Decalu range with its modular construction, pre-inserted gaskets and simplified stockholding, Encasa is familiar to manufacture and straightforward to install.

“Complicated fabrication processes, extensive stockholding requirements, and time-consuming installation all eat into fabricators and installers’ profits,” explains Terry. “But Encasa requires minimal extra outlay, which keeps costs down and protects margins.”

Built around efficiency and simplicity without compromising on aesthetics, Encasa gives fabricators the opportunity to win extra work from existing customers and access new interiors markets, without retooling for steel or timber.

“Encasa’s the perfect upsell, alongside our external Decalu windows and doors, for a cohesive whole-house aluminium offer,” adds Terry.

Featuring super-slim 34mm aluminium profiles that replicate traditional steel-framed internal partitions, Encasa can accommodate maximum heights of 2.5m and sash weights of up to 150kg. Highly flexible, the system can be formatted as a hinged, sliding, pivot or pocket door, as well as a fixed screen.

With its narrow sightlines, bold grids and authentic transoms and mullions, Encasa successfully replicates the classic heritage inspired aesthetic, with a range of glass available to offer privacy, control light transmission or minimise noise.

“This level of design flexibility is particularly important as consumer expectations continue to evolve,” adds Terry. “Homeowners are no longer simply looking for functional room dividers; they want architectural features that elevate the overall feel of their space.

“Encasa is suitable for use throughout the whole home, it suits properties old and new, and it captures that classic, premium look that is very on-trend right now, but also timeless. There’s a lot of pressure on the trade to keep costs down and still produce something that looks great and is easy to install, and Encasa ticks all the boxes.”

Reducing manufacturing times by up to 25% and installation times as much as 30% compared to more traditional internal systems, these efficiencies can make a big difference to profitability of fabricators and installers operating in a competitive market.
Featuring an integrated lock block and kick plate, Encasa combines multiple functions into a single element, reducing the number of parts required and in turn, stockholding, and speeding up fabrication.

On site, dry-glazing means there’s less mess, the components are consistent and the tolerances are installer-friendly, resulting in a quicker fit, and fewer callbacks.

Optional features such as soft-open and soft-close sliding mechanisms, along with pneumatic push open/close functionality for pocket doors, also add a premium feel without complicating the installation process.
Beyond performance and practicality, Encasa also reflects the increasing demand for sustainable, future-proof products, and aluminium’s recyclability makes it a strong fit in this context.

“Encasa has been developed with waste reduction in mind and aligns with the move towards more circular manufacturing practices,” says Terry.
With the rise of internal glazing and the shift from ‘open-plan to ‘broken-plan’, showing no sign of slowing, its appeal lies not just in its visual impact, but in its ability to adapt to the way people live today. Systems like Encasa demonstrate that meeting this demand doesn’t have to come at the expense of efficiency or simplicity.

“With Encasa, we’ve put the needs of fabricators and installers at the centre of its design,” says Terry. “The result is a practical route into a growing market that offers style, performance and profitability in equal measure.

“Systems like Encasa not only look good, but they are also practical to manufacture and install. When you can demonstrate both design value and operational efficiency, it puts the trade in a much stronger position to win work.”

“If you’re considering expanding your aluminium portfolio and venturing into new markets, Encasa really is a no-brainer.”