There are many window systems on the market that been developed to offer improved energy-efficiency, but not many have a UK patent and have been awarded a King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation. James Keeling-Heane, sales director from Senior Architectural Systems, explains more about what it means to be a winner, and why innovation continues to be such a big part of the company’s future plans.
Senior Architectural Systems became one of the first companies in the UK to receive a King’s Award for Enterprise, formally known as the Queen’s Award, back in April 2023. The scheme recognises and celebrates business excellence across the UK, focusing on the four categories of innovation, sustainable development, international trade, and the promotion of opportunity through social mobility.
We recently hosted a formal presentation ceremony where we received our official certificate known as a Grant of Appointment and a commemorative crystal trophy from the Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Dame Hilary Chapman DBE. You may have already seen that we have been proudly displaying our King’s Award for Enterprise logo across our marketing materials and throughout our HQ in Denaby – it’s even on our delivery trucks!
Why did we win it?
We have been recognised with the award for innovation, and specifically how this has influenced the development of our very innovative Pure aluminium window and door system. Unlike any other fenestration system available, Pure boasts a unique and patented design that allows it to achieve some of the lowest U-values possible and provide a thermally-efficient solution that meets the needs of both the residential and commercial sectors.
So, what makes Pure so innovative? When it comes to developing windows and doors that offer exceptional thermal efficiency, it’s all about the choice of thermal barrier and Pure has been designed to be different. The thermal break in our Pure system is constructed from highly-efficient expanded polyurethane (PUR) foam, which is most often found in insulation products.
As well as helping to prevent heat loss to reduce energy consumption and meet the requirements of Part L of the Building Regulations, we have ensured that our Pure system also offers ‘cradle to cradle’ recyclability, with even the PUR thermal barrier able to be reused with no requirement for landfill.
The journey continues
We first launched our Pure aluminium window system back in 2015 and received a UK patent for its design soon after. Since then, it has gone on to be widely specified on projects across the sectors, including a number of educational framework schemes. We wanted to give our customers a ‘future-proofing’ solution so that current regulations were not only comfortably met, but exceeded. This ethos ensured that when the new Part L Building Regulations came into force in June 2022, we had a tried, tested, and trusted system to offer our customers.
The success of our very first Pure casement window led to the development of other window styles and patio door options. Our full suite of products now includes the Pure commercial door and a new partnership with Hallmark Doors and Panels to offer a secure and stylish residential front door.
Although Pure is not our only thermally-efficient range of windows and doors – our slimline Ali VU range is also providing our customers with a Part L compliant and cost-effective solution – it is the still the most unique aluminium window on the market.
