The game changing PAS24 Securicor PVC-U panel

Hurst is revolutionising PVC-U panel supply with the launch of its new PAS24 accredited Securicore panel. Mark Atkinson, sales director, Hurst Doors, explores the new market opportunities that it creates.

Glass Times (GT): What is the Securicore PVC-U Panel?

Mark Atkinson (MA). The new Securicore PVC-U panel is a security upgrade on our standard 28mm door panel. It features a specially developed PVC-compound, which means it meets all requirements under PAS24 as part of a complete door set, including cut-through and soft and hard impact testing. It also features a unique glazing clip system, which means that Securicore is also available as a glazed option, in addition to being available across the majority of our panel door range.

GT. Why is the Securicore PVC-U panel game changing?
MA. It’s a PAS24 accredited product. It eliminates barriers to entry for PVC-U panels in new builds and enhances their appeal within the social housing sector. Additionally, it aligns with potential future revisions to Part Q, which are expected to extend compliance requirements to the home improvement and replacement markets.

The ability to achieve this without increasing panel thickness and keeping it at 28mm, although other door thickness options are available, is another important win for manufactures and installers, working with any standard frame size.

GT. What is the thermal performance like?
MA. U-values are as low as 1.3w/m2K on a large glazed panel doorset so fall comfortably within targets for new build as well as home improvement. The other point to make is that we can achieve PAS24 on a glazed panel, because of the unique and exclusive glazing security clip system that we have developed, so there aren’t any limitations on design.

GT. Where do you see it gaining most market traction?
MA. Securicore gives fabricators and installers two platforms. It can be an upsell as an enhanced security door. We’ve seen a number of our fabricators and their customers do this already very effectively. If they’re supplying into home improvement and replacement only, PAS24 isn’t quite so important, at least for the time being. They just want a security panel and don’t necessarily want to go through testing until they need to.

The other platform is as a fully accredited PAS24 door set, as part of a premium offer or into higher end new build for those fabricators with a direct interest in new build.

We also see particular appeal in Scotland, where customers prefer an over rebate to achieve effective weather sealing. We have customers who can see the opportunity that this panel delivers.

The new contemporary designs that the Securicore panel can be supplied in also opens opportunities. This includes seven new PVC-U door panel designs, which offer a contemporary style aesthetic.
Securicore is a credible and high performing alternative within replacement, new build and social housing markets.

GT. Will you support fabricators to achieve PAS24?
MA. The reason we tested the Securicore panel as part of a complete doorset was not just to demonstrate its feasibility, but to future-proof our business against potential legislative changes to Document Q, which may require replacement doors to meet PAS 24 standards.

Our preferred route is to work with other manufacturers to fabricate an accredited PAS24 door. We’ll work with them and support them in doing that.

GT. How long did the development journey take?
MA. Panels still make up a significant part of our business. Fitters and customers like them and a new choice of contemporary designs are reinventing them aesthetically – but we knew that PAS24 represented an opportunity.

Document Q focussed attention on the future of panels. Two-year’s ago we sat down and decided that panels remained strategically important for our business and our customers’ business and that we needed to invest in a major R&D programme to make sure that PAS24 didn’t undermine those markets.

We explored a lot of different options but were always conscious that we needed to deliver a PAS24 product that maintained its price point and without bringing increased complexity, time or cost to manufacture. After significant investment and development, we have done that in Securicore – as a complete door set it’s a PAS24 accredited product.

GT. What are your concluding thoughts?
MA. Securicore is a groundbreaking product. The PVC-U panel market may be mature – but it remains a very important one for us and our customers.
Securicore redefines that market, delivering a shift in the narrative through a highly cost effective PAS24 accredited product, plus a new range of panel styles, which create new end-user appeal.

This expands opportunities in the new build sector, enhances appeal within the social housing market, and drives demand in the existing replacement market for a premium, secure door solution.