THE COLOUR OF WINDOWS. An Evolution Of Choice

Transcription

1 THE COLOUR OF WINDOWS An Evolution Of Choice

2 THE COLOUR OF WINDOWS An Evolution Of Choice The construction industry is, more than ever, about choice. And while this can complicate life for architects and specifiers, it also opens up huge potential. Because with choice comes opportunity: to create inspirational designs, deliver sustainable buildings, enhance the lives of users and explore new expressions of style and aesthetics all cost-effectively, and with functionality still to the fore. This choice affects every aspect of design and building and there s no doubt that, although a small part of the overall project, the humble PVCu window is punching above its weight in this respect. Today, new materials, new manufacturing processes and new technologies mean that a new window has opened, quite literally, for polymer windows. And not least in terms of colour. From the first extruded polymer based window system in 1958, the development of PVCu windows has been rapid. In 1968 came the first full PVCu window with multi-chamber design, an antecedent of polymer windows. In the UK, slimmer and stronger profiles were quickly introduced, improving aesthetics and performance. In 2000, Passivhaus certification was given to a PVCu window for the first time, and by 2008, they were delivering near perfect energy efficiency. The evolution continues and today, advances in extrusion technology mean it s now possible to create virtually any style of design imaginable. The PVCu window is here to stay and has become a key part of all architects plans. It s easy to see why. PVCu then is here to stay, but for all its advances and positive features, it retains its reputation as a slightly uncouth upstart: an evil necessity, rather than a beneficial addition to the building portfolio. Many of the reasons for this date back to early incarnations of the product and the negative perceptions surrounding plastic. Slowly but surely however, these perceptions are being eroded and PVCu is gaining respectability. But there remains one issue: the question of colour. For many years, the industry was in Henry Ford territory: you can have any colour of PVCu window you like, as long as it s white or mahogany wood grain. This is no longer the case thanks to advances in technology and the development of two main methods for colouring PVCu: acrylic spray and laminated foils. Acrylic spray offers the capability to reproduce all RAL colours and gives a consistent finish, the paint bonding to the profile gives it a longer shelf life and any blemishes can be touched up with ease. Laminated foils can reproduce a choice of RAL colours and offer smooth metallic and woodgrain options. Of the two technologies, lamination is the most cost-effective option. In addition to these processes, another comes into play wherever aluminium components feature in curtain walling: powder coating. The net result of these technologies is a rich array of colours, and even the capability to complement both the interior and the exterior of the project by selecting a different colour for each side. The cost factor In a recent study, Brighton & Hove Council carried out an evaluation of the long-term costs of using PVCu compared with alternatives. They estimated that, by using PVCu on their stock and in new projects, they would save 8.5 million across their 5 year housing programme, and over 30 million at current costs over 30 years. (SOURCE: Housing Management Sub-Committee, Brighton & Hove Council). The sustainability factor Perhaps surprisingly, PVCu requires less non-renewable fossil fuel in its manufacture (43%) than any other commodity plastic, while the CO 2 impact of producing 1Kg of PVCu is 1.9Kg, compared with a 10kg for aluminium. Moreover, it is fully recyclable into second and even third life applications, and is now recognised by the United Nations Commission for Sustainable Development. The efficiency factor PVCu is the dominant choice for energy efficiency. So much so that, according to the British Fenestration Rating Council, 75% of A Rated Energy Efficient Windows are PVCu. The practical factor There are cases where, for health and safety reasons, the only solution is a PVCu based material. This quotation, taken from the London Olympic 2012 Learning Legacy Document demonstrates the widespread acceptance and unrivalled practicality of PVCu applications. For homeowners, this has opened new potential. Architects also appreciate the benefits this brings not least the ability to source entire fenestration solutions and integrated systems from a single source, and all cost-effectively. However, architects use somewhat more demanding criteria in their selection process. Aesthetics matter increasingly, while stringent specification requirements also impose challenges. With the addition of colour, the new generation of PVCu windows rise to these challenges admirably. The appetite is undoubtedly there. By responding to market demand for more choice, manufacturers are experiencing a corresponding increase in demand for the new colours. One leading specialist, for example, has seen the demand for foils more than treble over the past 20 years.

3 TIMELINE Evolution Of Colour Introduced in the 1950s, PVCu windows were originally available only in white. However, the addition of a mahogany wood effect at the beginning of the 80s signalled their rapid evolution in terms of colour, demonstrating their ability to meet the changing needs of the construction industry. Mahogany Chartwell Green Anthracite Blue Irish Oak Black Golden Oak Creams Grey Red Foil Rosewood Metallic Grey UK Market Share Up until the 1980 s, white PVCu windows accounted for just 5% of the UK market. Today, PVCu windows account for approximately 80% of the total market share, one quarter of which are colour windows. Black Cherry/ Piedmont/Rosewood Golden Oak/ Sherwood Beck Brown/ Black Brown Anthracite/ Gale Grey Cream / Ice Cream Mahogany/ Regency Ambassador/ Sapeli Irish Oak Slate Grey Crystal Slate Grey Finesse Chartwell Green Other 21.5% 14.8% 11.5% 8.3% 7.3% 6.9% 6.5% 4.1% 3.4% 3.3% 3.2% 2.9% 2.4% 3.9%

4 CASE STUDIES The Colour Factor As the following case studies demonstrate, the colour factor is playing an increasing role in large and prestigious projects across the UK. Combined with the other qualities of PVCu, it s giving architects the chance to create striking and practical designs which meet ever stringent building requirements. Perceptions of PVCu windows are changing. Once starkly polarised between black and white, signs are that like the windows themselves views are now rather more nuanced. Kent History Centre This flagship 10m mixed use development in Kent includes commercial areas, public buildings, affordable homes and an extra care housing scheme for older people. While the commercial areas deployed aluminium windows and curtain walling, PVCu was used for the accommodation. A total of over 400 foiled tilt and turn windows were installed, specified in anthracite grey and virtually indistinguishable from aluminium. This ensured a coherent overall look to the project while also offering cost-saving and significant thermal efficiencies for residents. All windows are BS7950 Secured by Design approved and WER B rated. New Build Development Gorton, Manchester This project a Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 development in Manchester comprises an integrated system which includes more than 800 PVCu windows. To enhance the aesthetics of the building, all of the frames were coloured grey on the exterior while the interiors were left white to allow more flexibility in terms of decoration. Throughout, the focus was on sustainability, security and lifecycle costs and with Secured by Design accreditation, a WER C rating and a Uf-value of 0.88 W/m2K on the curtain walling, the PVCu systems ticked all boxes. The development was designed by architects Bowker Sadler and is now managed by Guinness Northern Counties. I would never have thought to specify PVCu before when looking at a colour project, but after exploring a number of options with a PVCu systems company, I have been able to achieve a solution that works aesthetically and makes a considerable saving on energy. I am now onto my next project with PVCu, and would happily work with the material again. Sam Caldwell, Senior Architect, MDR Associates

5 CASE STUDIES The Colour Factor New Build Apartments, Portishead Marina, Bristol This prestigious new build of apartments on the Port Marine development in Portishead features a mix of composite systems including curtain walling, sliding patio doors as well as casement and tilt & turn windows. To complement the contemporary design, all follow the same colour scheme: grey exterior and white interior. The result was a practical and cost effective alternative to aluminium in terms of aesthetics, while easily meeting the development s BRE Eco Homes Very Good rating. Developers Crest Nicholson. New Build International Academy Yate, Bristol For the International Academy in Yate, Bristol, the choice of window systems was driven primarily by energy efficiency - but also aesthetics. WER A rated with a Uw-Value of just 1.2W/m²K, the Passivhaus certified window system was complemented with 15 varying sized curtain walling screens with a similarly low Uw-Value. All of the components were coloured grey in keeping with the design. Built by Willmott Dixon on behalf of South Gloucestershire Council. In the past, we ve considered both aluminium and PVCu in projects. Both compare well, but PVCu often has the edge. It meets our demands for sustainable homes, gives us the flexibility we need inside and out, looks the part and delivers real cost benefits. PVCu is a surprisingly easy choice. David McIntosh, Chartered Architect, CRGP Architects & Surveyors

6 Gareth Jones Gareth Jones is the Marketing & Technical Director for the Window Solutions division of REHAU; a world leader in polymer technologies. With over 17 years experience in this field, he has been part of REHAU s product and sales management teams throughout the UK and Ireland. In this time, Gareth has taken a prominent role in supporting and assisting REHAU s commercial clients by launching initiatives and developing sales strategies to help meet the specific demands of the sector. For further information visit knowhau@rehau.com