10 ways in which pultruded GRP windows hit the jackpot - By: Chris Dixon

How would you start to design the 'perfect' window system that meets all of todays complex requirements?

Probably, being impervious to all our climatic conditions including ice, rain, sun, salt/sea spray would be a good start, followed perhaps by an extra long service life - and requiring zero maintenance throughout. The widest colour range would be vital, too. However, thinking of the damage and wear that might befall any window, the option to easily repair and/or paint it at any time in its life, would also seem a sensible precaution, in this idealistic priority list - but avoiding the necessity to have to repeat it if you chose not to. A wide range of window design options would be essential, of course, in a variety of narrow and standard profiles.

Looking to our social and sustainability obligations, we should also insist that the window exceeds the most stringent environmental standards by coming from a benign recycled source, and being able to be recycled at the end of its time. Also, the highest standards of thermal and sound insulation must be essential, as must the highest strength factor and security credentials, to provide complete peace of mind and confidence for the specifier and the property owner. Finally, of course, this package, however desirable, must also be affordable and competitive in every sense - and represent long term 'best value', too.

Is this a reality, or are we dreaming?

Surprisingly, perhaps, this is an absolute reality, thanks to the technological wonder of pultruded GRP Fibreglass. Pultrusion is the manufacturing development that has enabled GRP Fibreglass to be made in the long continuous profiles essential for window frames. So, now that it is available, it releases the many material benefits of this astonishingly strong, resilient and durable compound into the UK window market, as has already occurred most successfully in USA and Canada - where sustainable, zero carbon development, despite their harsh climate, has already been achieved, helped in part, by pultruded fibreglass windows.

So, to summarise the advantages that can be expected from GRP windows:-

* High energy efficiency: "U" values of 0.9 - 1.5 on the total window, including sashes.
* High Acoustic performance: Rw 38 achieved with modest glass specification (4/16/6.4) - reducing both weight and cost.
* City Centre Compliant: Where high standards of thermal and acoustic performance are both required - Now available with Rw 41 and 1.4 U value in the same unit. (Normally technically incompatible)
* Independently certified and accredited by a UKAS Test House
* 65% glass content - of which at least 30% is from recycled source.
* Compliant with BREEAM/CfSH, providing extra credits, which can be verified.
* 50 - 75 years design life + 25 year minimum warranty
* Proven "Best Value" even over PVC under Whole Life Cost analysis - and even against softwood.
Competitive on price with aluminium and aluminium and wood composite windows - 'Super' competitive when like-for-like U values.
* Any RAL colour (200 options) - repair and/or re-application of finish is easy.
* Secured by Design accredited - Police preferred specification.
* The most sustainable, best value, low maintenance option, long term.
* Manufactured in UK to minimise CO2 emissions from excessive road transport.
* Robust: Meets the anti-terrorist glazing specification of the MOD-DE "DMG2 Normal" - and used on "Young Mental Offender's Secure Units"

The availability of arguably the World's best window material has already been seized upon and incorporated into buildings by architects, contractors and clients, from the largest and most prestigious developments (Celtic Manor Hotel and Golf Complex, hosting the Ryder Cup in 2010 - and Birmingham University's Masons Hall student accommodation) to more modest residential schemes, both private and social housing, whether new build or refurbishment. The popularity of GRP fibreglass windows is increasing exponentially.

Fibreglass windows are now the fasteset growing option in the American Commercial Market and the preferred choice for the more discerning residential customer there, too. This popularity is now spreading into UK where fibreglass is already specified on many major school projects nationwide, as well as on care homes, apartment blocks, community centres, health and hospital projects and many more.

At the very time that a superior window material is required to help us achieve a reduction in CO2 emissions and an increase in the sustainability of buildings, GRP fibreglass has arrived to significantly help in this important area.

About the Author

Chris Dixon has spent 25 years successfully pioneering GRP building products and for 20 years was MD of Lindman Ltd, the original GRP composite door in UK. Chris is now a freelance Business Development Consultant working with Pultec Ltd, UK market leader of GRP Windows. Find out how this new material could improve the sustainability of any building project, at =>http://www.pultec.co.uk Chris can be contacted at ' cjd_home@hotmail.com

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