PVCU pains

Windows with coloured profiles are not being reinforced properly, and are causing headaches for homeowners, according to Anglo European, which has seen an increase in requests for advice.

“The most recent was a new-build apartment block where the architect had specified anthracite grey PVCU windows,” managing director Paul Sullivan said. “The fabricator hadn’t used steel reinforcement in the frames and as temperatures rose in early summer, residents in the south facing apartments started to complain about sashes sticking and not closing correctly. On inspection, warping of the profile caused by heat from the sun was plain to see.”

Paul said that darker windows don’t have the heat-reflective qualities of white PVCU.

“The bigger percentage of foil profiles in a fabricator’s product mix increases the risk of warping frames caused by solar heat gain,” he said. “Add to this the move towards longer guarantees on frames and it makes sense for PVCU window manufacturers to reduce their exposure to failures by choosing a steel reinforcement specification.”

Paul said that part of PVCU’s popularity was due to its low maintenance, and it was important that this reputation wasn’t damaged by warping and sticking frames.

“[Anglo European has] recently launched a 10-year warranty backed with extensive testing on steel reinforcement to give fabricators extra reassurance on the life-time performance for windows and doors,” Paul said.