Reducing window installation risks
Malcolm Taylor, product managerat Rehau, explains the importance of stringent planning of window installations to minimise the risk of snagging and unexpected project delivery costs further down the line.
There are a whole host of obstructions that installers can face when completing commercial projects; time delays and increased costs go hand in hand, not to mention the long-term issues that arise from carrying out inefficient jobs.
Fitters are often met with the problem of completing a job quickly but risking the quality of the installation, and consequently having to return at a later date. As a result, the need to avoid snagging issues, the growth of offsite construction, and the evolution of construction methods have all grown in importance.
Snagging tend to be superficial, but they can still be unsettling and expensive.
One of the most common snagging issues is breakage or damage from something that hasn’t been fitted correctly. This is usually down to a job being rushed to save time and money; parts can be easily left unfinished and therefore require follow-up maintenance.
Alternatively, further snagging issues can result from substandard design. If a building has been designed incorrectly or the wrong materials have been used, this has a direct impact on the construction process. In response, we are seeing a growth in alternative construction methods to ensure a satisfactory project delivery.
There is a plethora of benefits to be had from investing in offsite construction methods. For one, moving the building process away from the physical site can decrease project completion time and reduce disruption to the customer and/or the local community. By having a less disruptive construction site, working conditions are improved and therefore a higher level of productivity can be achieved.
Furthermore, offsite construction alleviates the possibility of onsite damage by having a more controlled and regulated environment. It also allows for more accurate planning and timeframes, as elements such as adverse weather conditions will be less impactful in factories.
While offsite construction proves to be a solution against onsite issues, it doesn’t come without its own set of risks. For example, there is the risk of parts being damaged in transit, so investment needs to be factored in the planning stages and products need to be selected to best meet the requirements. For windows in particular – an appealing yet functional aspect of any build – care must be taken to ensure the job is completed correctly.
Investment needs to be placed into design and development of products using modern techniques over traditional construction methods so that projects are completed effectively with as little time and cost as possible.
With the ability to enhance a number of characteristics concerning a building’s performance and appearance, the need for a functional and low-maintenance window is crucial. Having an ill-fitted window can cause a variety of problems from leaking, poor sound attenuation, and low insulation. All of these contribute to the pressure that fitters face to have that right-first-time installation.
In response to these challenges, Rehau has unveiled its first two-part retrofit window sill. Designed to enhance any commercial build, this innovative product offers that all-important flexibility to fabricators and installers.
Rehau’s two-part retrofit window sill operates on an easy-to-install product configuration. This means the nose of the window sill can be added at the closing stage of any project and avoids the risk of any costly damage that the traditional one-piece window sills previously incurred during construction work. Additionally, once clipped into place the window sill is completely secure, reducing the risk of snapping and the need for any subsequent repair work. Further detriment is reduced from the product’s built-in drainage channel that ensures any water that does get into the window is drained away instead of damaging the property’s brickwork.
The two-part arrangement of the window sill makes it perfect for prefabrication as the prominent window sill nose can be clipped on after delivery and assembly, avoiding any danger of damage in transit. Nevertheless, it is still ideal for onsite construction as the window sill is designed to be completed at the very end of a build, so it avoids all risk of any onsite affliction.
It is investment into technologies like Rehau’s two-part retrofit window sill that will alleviate the time and cost pressures developers are currently experiencing.
