What does the perfect aluminium flush casement look like?
UK designed, and only weeks away from launch, Deceuninck Aluminium is gearing up to make even bigger waves in 2023 with its new flush casement. We take a sneak preview.
“When you’re talking flush casements, the conversation almost always starts with aesthetics,” says Nigel Headford, director, Deceuninck Aluminium. “Appearance is key, but we wanted a flush casement that delivered more, which was easier to fit, and which meets today’s regulations but also tomorrow’s without complicating or increasing the cost of manufacture.”
The working title for this project – Iteration 49 – is now only weeks away. Developed over 18-months, the name, reflecting the number of ‘iterations’ the UK design team has gone through to get the design to where it is today.
“To say it’s been a labour of love is an understatement. The whole team believe passionately in the project – the journey has involved ‘blood, sweat’ and a couple of times along the way almost ‘tears’, but what we’ve got now, we’re massively proud of,” says Nigel.
He continues: “It’s a window which delivers great aesthetics and levels of performance which will ensure a guaranteed commercial advantage to anyone who makes it. That’s a promise.”
Part L as standard
As a relatively new system, Deceuninck Aluminium has been able to align product development perfectly with the key drivers shaping today’s window and door market.
And right now, there’s no bigger driver than thermal performance.
“There are a lot of systems that are struggling to meet the new Part L requirements for new build. All our products comfortably meet Part L, as does the new flush casement,” Nigel says. “What sets it apart from other aluminium flush casement systems is that it will achieve a U-value of 1.2w/m2k with a centre pane U value of 1.0w/m2k.
“That’s the new build Part L requirement with a double-glazed unit in an aluminium flush casement window.
“The message to the installer couldn’t be more powerful; you don’t have to handle triple-glazed units on site and you can pitch more aggressively because you don’t have the higher glass cost to build into your price – they’re going to win business on the back of it.”
Nigel argues the principle also applies to home improvements. The new Deceuninck Aluminium flush casement achieves a U-value of 1.4w/m2k with a unit with a ‘standard’ centre pane U value of 1.2w/m2k.
It’s also future-proofed, achieving headline U values of as low as 0.8w/m2k, a Passivhaus equivalent level of performance. “You can start manufacturing our new system today and know that it will meet tomorrow’s requirements. This includes whatever comes down the line Future Homes in 2025,” Nigel enthuses.
Patented thermal technology
The starting point for this next generation level of performance is the patented thermal break used in the system.
Deceuninck Aluminium has opted for an ABS rather than PVC system. This has allowed it to create more complex and effective thermal chambers but also to co-extrude a more flexible hinged chamber.
This houses the Eurogroove and can be opened to fix into the substrate and then closed to hide fixings. Alternatively, it can also be cut to house hardware, creating a clean minimalist finish.
Flush inside and out
Although Deceuninck has focussed on performance, it has also applied attention to detail to design. In addition to concealed fixing, hardware and drainage, its new window also features a flush finish internally, as well as externally and pre-inserted, flush-to-the-bead gasket.
“We have applied a lot of time and effort on getting the performance, mechanics and the engineering of this window right,” explains Nigel.
“But we know installers have got to sell it. We wanted simple minimalist sightlines, even when the window is open.”
Fabrication efficiencies
Deceuninck’s involvement of UK fabricators in its design process are also reflected in a series of manufacturing wins.
In addition to the levels of performance its new window achieves using only standard units, it also delivers maximum design flexibility accommodating weights of up to 180kg and units ranging from 12-52mm.
Suitable for mechanical or crimp jointing, the system is also modular, sharing a common bead and ad on ancillaries with, amongst others, the popular Decalu88 bi-fold.
In common with the wider Decalu range, it’s supplied marine-grade and in metallic and dual colour finishes as standard.
“We know that 2023 is probably going to be tougher but also that growth – as it has done in the last two to three years – is going to come from flush products and aluminium products,” Nigel says.
“We also know that windows and doors are going to have to deliver higher levels of thermal efficiency.
“If you aren’t manufacturing aluminium you need to be, and if you are, it needs to be energy efficient.
“If that’s you, the benefits of changing supply to, or starting aluminium manufacture with Decalu and our new window, are immense. Now is the time to get on board.”
