‘A’ is for Aluminium
Gary Walker, Joint Managing Director at trade fabricators Bedfordshire Windows, talks about the rising importance of aluminium glazing products and how they have created a complete range of options for both domestic and commercial projects.
Aluminium is the material of choice when it comes to higher-end projects because they offer slimmer sightlines and stunning designs. With new regulations demanding tougher levels of thermal performance from glazing products, they also tick that box. To help trade customers, we have created a complete range of aluminium windows, doors and rooflights that not only hits the brief for higher levels of energy efficiency, but also offers incredible design and quality.
We have seen the continued rise in demand for aluminium. It started with the ever-popular aluminium bifold doors, and they remain our top selling product for trade customers. It appears that homeowners love the flexibility of folding back their bifold doors to create the seamless inside:outside living.
Wide span glazing
In fact, it was the popularity in bifold doors that became the catalyst for the industry to offer more aluminium products. At Bedfordshire Windows, we were keen to be at the forefront of fabricating high-quality aluminium, and we are proud to be part of the Official Fabricators Network for Cortizo. The international network is a select group of companies throughout the world. It demonstrates our technical quality and gives us easy access technical and professional support. There’s also a training programme so that we get all the latest information about new products on the market.
The latest is the new Cortizo bifold door with slimmer sightlines. Performance wise it the offers U-values as low as 1.2 W/m²K with standard double-glazed units and down to 0.8 W/m²K with triple glazing, which is what’s needed for the new regulations. We initially saw the new door at FIT show in May this year, and we could see that it would be an excellent addition to our range to help meet demand.
The increase in demand for very slim sightlines is met with Cortizo’s COR Vision patio sliding door which offers 20mm interlocking sightlines. These stunning doors can span almost 15 metres on a triple track with 6 sashes, with each sash up to 2.5m wide and 3m high to offer huge walls of glass which, when installed, look massively impressive.
To suite in perfectly with the bifold and patio sliding door, we also fabricate Cortizo’s aluminium window system which means we can offer the complete range.
Rooflights and lanterns
We know that a lot of wide span glazing is being installed into single storey extensions, so offering a complementary rooflights and lanterns are a must. We have lots of options for aluminium roof lanterns, including one with an opening vent. We also offer flat aluminium roof lights which give a modern and streamlined look.
Commercial aluminium glazing
In addition to our domestic range of aluminium glazing, we also offer a range of commercial products for trade customers. This includes shopfronts, doorsets, curtain walling, residential aluminium windows and doors, as well as flat rooflights.
Within the commercial sector, energy regulations can be different. For example, with tenanted properties they not only require the glazing to perform to the current standards, but the overall building must comply to an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of E or above – and in 2025 this will jump to a minimum of C. After roof and wall insulation, often upgrading the glazing is the easiest and most cost-effective way to achieve these higher levels when looking at the overall building performance.
Energy performance tomorrow
We know that new legislation is on the way across all sectors in glazing and the only way energy performance regulations are going is up. That’s why at Bedfordshire Windows we continue to look at the very latest products to bring the highest levels of energy performance for customers to keep them ahead of the regulations.